Texas coding business signs Nixa franchisees

Pearland, Texas-based Code Ninjas, which teaches children how to code through video game development, has signed a new local franchise agreement.

Rob and Tracy Hedgpeth are the husband-and-wife franchisees planning to launch a location in Nixa in spring 2025, according to a news release. The address was not disclosed in the release.

“Rob and Tracy will be a fantastic addition to the Code Ninjas family,” said Navin Gurnaney, CEO of Code Ninjas, in the release. "Their deep-rooted commitment to empowering young minds through hands-on coding education perfectly aligns with our mission. They bring a wealth of experience in both education and technology, which will be invaluable in fostering a vibrant learning environment in Nixa."

Rob is a principal architect in artificial intelligence at Microsoft, previously working as an architect for DraftKings. With three degrees in education from Hofstra University, Tracy most recently has served as vice president of people for automotive software company Affinitiv. They moved to Nixa this year with their son, Darius.

“With my background and passion for technology, opening a Code Ninjas in our hometown felt like a natural choice,” Rob said in the release. “I’ve spent years teaching coding to adults, and I genuinely enjoy helping people understand how to leverage technology."

The Nixa location will be Code Ninjas' fourth in Missouri, according to the release. A Springfield location announced in 2019 is no longer operational.

Franchisees are estimated to invest $177,000 to $385,500 to open a Code Ninjas location, according to the company’s website. The initial franchise fee is $40,000.