Urban Air Adventure Park, an indoor family entertainment franchise with more than 400 parks open or under development, has signed a franchise agreement to open its first Oregon location in Salem, the company announced Tuesday.
The Salem site is expected to open in May 2026, marking the brand’s Oregon debut and its latest push into the Pacific Northwest. Urban Air describes itself as a “state-of-the-art adventure park” built around a mix of active-play attractions, party hosting and on-site food service.
The local franchise is led by Drew and Betty Thomas, who said they plan to create a new destination where families can “play, celebrate, and connect.” Drew Thomas spent nearly three decades in leadership and executive roles at T-Mobile, according to the announcement, while Betty Thomas’ background includes work in the insurance and service industries.
Mandy Dowson, group president of Urban Air Adventure Park, said the Oregon expansion is a milestone for the brand and part of its broader growth strategy.
“We’re thrilled to bring Urban Air to Oregon for the first time,” Dowson said in a prepared statement. “Expanding into Oregon marks an exciting milestone for us as we continue to grow our brand in the Pacific Northwest and create new opportunities for franchise owners and communities.”
While the company did not disclose the park’s Salem address, size, investment cost, or anticipated hiring levels, Urban Air locations typically operate as large-format indoor venues designed to accommodate multiple attractions and group events. The release also did not say whether the project is tied to a specific commercial development or whether permits have already been filed.
Urban Air positions its parks as more than a trampoline-focused concept, listing more than 20 attractions that can vary by location. The company’s menu of offerings includes ropes courses, its Sky Rider indoor zipline, adventure slides, battle beams, laser tag, dodgeball courts, electric go-karting and obstacle courses. Each park also includes a “fast-casual” café, which the company describes as both a convenience for families and an added revenue stream for franchise operators.
The announcement framed the move as arriving during a period of strong entrepreneurial activity in Oregon. The release cited “recent federal data” indicating a 57.4% increase in startup activity in 2025, placing Oregon among the top five states for entrepreneurs. Urban Air said it sees the state’s business climate as an opening for continued franchise growth beyond Salem.
Urban Air is part of Unleashed Brands, a youth enrichment platform that also includes The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. Unleashed Brands said its model is built around scaling franchise concepts that serve families and children through activities that mix learning, recreation and skills development.
Urban Air was founded in 2011, according to the company, and says it operates with a mission tied to active play and youth development. The company also pointed to recognition from Entrepreneur magazine, saying Urban Air ranked as the No. 1 entertainment franchise in the publication’s annual Franchise 500 list this year.
For Salem, the addition would bring a new large-scale indoor entertainment option into a market that already includes community recreation centers, small indoor play concepts and seasonal outdoor attractions. Indoor adventure parks have become a growing category nationally, often anchored by birthday parties, school outings and group events that can generate steady traffic outside of peak summer months.
Urban Air did not provide additional details about opening-day plans, membership pricing, or timelines for announcing a specific site. The company said it expects to continue expanding across Oregon.
