Urban Air Founding Story

In 2011, nestled in the heart of Southlake, Texas, an ambitious dream took root in the form of a 25,000-square-foot trampoline park. What appeared to the community as just another family entertainment option was, in fact, the result of one family's unwavering belief in a vision that defied odds, broke norms, and risked everything. This is the story of how Michael Browning Jr., alongside his father Mike Browning and their family, built the very first Urban Air by hand and transformed it into the nation’s leading Family Entertainment Center brand.

Raised in Arlington, Texas, Michael Browning Jr. was shaped by a legacy of grit and determination. His parents, Mike and Sharla Browning, were self-made entrepreneurs who operated everything from a local laundromat to a working dairy farm. Eventually, the Mike and Sharla established Browning Custom Homes—a respected homebuilding business that built custom homes in the communities of Southlake, Colleyville and Keller, where the family still calls home today.

The Browning family had entrepreneurship in their blood. From operating a laundromat and working on a dairy farm to founding Browning Custom Homes, Mike and Sharla Browning instilled a work ethic in their son Michael that would later become the backbone of Urban Air. But even with a strong work ethic and vision, the path was anything but easy.

By 2010, Michael Browning Jr. was a young entrepreneur with a big idea: create an indoor trampoline park where families could spend time together, kids could celebrate birthdays, and communities could bond in a safe, energetic environment. But the banks weren’t convinced. Landlords were skeptical. And the recession still loomed over small business lending. Nevertheless, Michael and his family pushed forward, pouring every penny they had into their dream.

 They secured a lease at 325 Commerce Street in Southlake, inside a defunct baseball academy. The space needed more than just a makeover; it needed a complete transformation. With limited resources, the Browning family rolled up their sleeves—literally. They built the location themselves and with help from his fathers residential building crews. They laid floors, framed trampoline pits, assembled equipment, and painted walls late into the night. At one point, Michael and his dad were even spotted having fun on a forklift while waiting for equipment deliveries, a moment of levity captured in what would become the first-ever newspaper article about Urban Air. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was purposeful. The family was all in. 

When the doors to Urban Air Southlake finally opened, the community responded with overwhelming support. Families poured in. Birthday bookings spiked. Word spread like wildfire. Urban Air wasn’t just a trampoline park; it was a destination.

The original location featured 80 connected trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball arenas, and tumble tracks. But it wasn’t the attractions that made it special—it was the feeling. From the moment families walked in, they were greeted with energy, safety, and smiles. It was a place built with love and intention.

 Success in Southlake gave Michael the proof he needed to think bigger. But scaling wasn’t just about copying and pasting the original model. Michael knew that to truly grow, Urban Air had to become more than a trampoline park. It had to evolve into a complete family entertainment experience. Over the next few years, Urban Air added climbing walls, indoor sky rider coasters, ropes courses, warrior obstacle courses, and virtual reality experiences. Each new feature was refined and implemented to ensure it fit within the brand’s mission: to help kids celebrate, escape and connect while families create unforgettable memories.  

As demand increased, the Browning family made the bold decision to franchise the concept. Many warned against it, citing how hard it was to maintain consistency across franchise locations. But Michael believed in people. He believed in training, in systems, and in finding like-minded entrepreneurs who shared the same passion and grit. So they got their first office garage in Grapevine, TX and began building.

The first franchisees came on board, often inspired by Michael’s story and the brand’s purpose. Urban Air provided them not just a business model, but a mission. The franchisee network grew rapidly, expanding across Texas and into new markets nationwide. From a family-built business in Southlake to a scalable, repeatable brand model, Urban Air was on its way.

Today, Urban Air is more than a trampoline park. It’s the centerpiece of Unleashed Brands, the world’s first Youth Enrichment Platform. Urban Air with over 200 locations and counting, the impact is undeniable. Urban Air has helped millions of kids celebrate birthdays, conquer fears, make friends, and create lifelong memories.

But Michael Browning Jr. will be the first to tell you that success wasn’t overnight. It was forged through nights of hard labor, financial risk, and unwavering faith. It started with a family who risked it all—not just their money, but their time, sweat, and heart.

 No story of growth is complete without setbacks. For Urban Air, the biggest challenge came in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, the very idea of indoor entertainment was threatened. Urban Air parks were forced to close. Revenue dried up. Employees and franchisees faced uncertainty.

But once again, grit showed up. Michael and his leadership team worked around the clock to navigate closures, adjust protocols, and support franchisees. The brand launched virtual parties, implemented rigorous safety procedures, and secured financial lifelines for operators. While others folded, Urban Air stood strong.

Coming out of the pandemic, the brand emerged more resilient, more unified, and more committed than ever to its mission.

Urban Air’s legacy is more than its growth; it’s the lives it impacts. The mom who cried tears of joy after her child with special needs was able to play safely. The teenager who found their first job and learned responsibility. The franchisee who went from being a stay-at-home parent to a successful business owner.

All of it traces back to Southlake, to the family who built something out of nothing. To Michael and Mike Browning building beams by hand. To a belief that fun, when designed with purpose, can transform communities.

Urban Air wasn’t just founded; it was forged. It wasn’t a lucky break; it was a dream combined with grit and hustle. From a single trampoline park to the nation’s leading Family Entertainment Center, the journey of Urban Air proves that when you build with heart, lead with grit, and never lose sight of your mission, anything is possible.

And it all started in a dusty warehouse in Southlake, Texas.