About American Poolplayers Association Franchise

The American Poolplayers Association (APA) was founded by professional pool players and Billiard Hall of Famers Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart in 1979 as the National Pool League, which became the American Poolplayers Association in 1981. The two realized the popularity of the sport but knew, that different from other sports, there was no existing recreational league system.

Today, the APA, also known as the Canadian Poolplayers Association in Canada and the Japanese Poolplayers Association in Japan, has grown to nearly 250,000 members and boasts more members than all other “national” leagues combined. The League is administered locally by a network of Franchise Operators, called League Operators, and is conducted weekly in a variety of both 8-Ball and 9-Ball team formats. There are nearly 300 APA Leagues throughout the U.S., Canada, and Japan.

APA League teams have the opportunity to advance to the APA World Pool Championships each summer in Las Vegas. In 2010, Guinness World Records recognized this event as the World’s Largest Pool tournament. In addition, the APA also hosts a second tournament, the APA Pool player Championships, in Las Vegas each spring. APA pays out a combined $2 Million annually at these tournaments.

The APA also conducts the U.S. Amateur Championship, the pool world’s most prestigious amateur tournament, which is the only competition open to APA members and nonmembers alike. The tournament began in 1994 and has grown significantly over the years, as players across North America battle for a spot in this coveted event.

APA also runs the APA Junior Championships each summer. This tournament gives children ages 7-18 the opportunity to compete for prizes and trophies in their skill level bracket. It’s a great opportunity to introduce kids to the game of pool!

The APA has also been recognized as one of the top small business and home-based franchise opportunities in the world. In 2010, Forbes magazine ranked the APA as the #2 “Top 20 Franchises to Start.” APA is ranked a “Hall of Fame” franchise with the Franchise Business Review for having been named a Top 200 franchise for 10+ years.

One of the keys to the success of the American Poolplayers Association is The Equalizer®, the unique handicapping and scoring system that makes it possible for players of different playing abilities — especially novices and beginners — to compete on an equal basis, much like they do in golf and bowling. The Equalizer® uses a formula that measures a player’s ability. The result is a handicap of how many games a player must win to capture a match in 8-Ball or the number of points a player must earn to win a match in the 9-Ball format.

Vision

To saturate every market with the fun and excitement of the APA pool!

Mission

Our growth strategy is simple: To create VERY satisfied and loyal Members, Teams, and Host Locations who recommend us to others.

We Believe In

Above all else, APA believes in earning and maintaining trust with our franchisees and members through honesty, integrity, respect, and fairness. We ask everyone in our network to adhere to our Vision and strive for personal and professional success.

Why APA?

The APA has gotten accolades such as “Best in Category” for Sports & Recreation Franchises by Franchise Business Review, “10 Great Franchises for Less than $20,000” by Entrepreneur Magazine, and more!

APA is also a member of the International Franchise Association and Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative.

Training and Support

We’re an organization of go-getters. At the National Office, we’re always asking ourselves: What can we do to help Franchisees develop new host locations, members, and teams?

• Marketing/Advertising

Our League Operators are supported by our national marketing department. We provide you with templates and materials to conduct your own local advertising and PR campaigns.  The marketing materials we provide are first-rate. We help you reach your customers – team members and the owners/managers of bars and pool halls – with posters, presentation materials, promotional items, and our national membership magazine, The American Poolplayer®.

• Franchise Support

Training and support are provided at your initial training seminar and on an ongoing basis. Our staff provides software and operational support. You’ll be assigned a personal representative at the National Office to help guide you in growing and administering your League.

• Network

We’ve learned a lot in our 25+ years of experience. Nearly every challenge you might face has already been experienced by our League Operators. Our network of Franchisees is encouraged to interact frequently with each other to help overcome those challenges and to discuss best practices. We offer networking opportunities through our annual Convention, regional meetings, quarterly newsletter, and a private website just for Franchisees and APA staff.

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