Jeff Piejak

Jeff Piejak is the founder and CEO of Ultimate Ninjas, a fitness franchise focused on obstacle course racing. Established in Chicago in 2016, Ultimate Ninjas has grown from a single location into a multi-state franchise system with gyms ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 square feet.

Before launching Ultimate Ninjas, Piejak gained leadership experience in related fitness and event operations. He served as Chief Operating Partner at UNX Championship in 2018, a role that sharpened his understanding of large-scale athletic events and community building. That background in event production directly influenced the experiential design of Ultimate Ninjas gyms.

Piejak founded Ultimate Ninjas with his wife Jackie in 2016, targeting the booming obstacle course racing market. The concept quickly proved its worth—by 2017, partner Silenzi opened a second location in Libertyville, Illinois, becoming a co-owner. That same year, the company signed its first wave of U.S. franchise agreements, covering California, Florida, Illinois, and Colorado, plus a multi-unit deal for mainland China.

Under Piejak's leadership, Ultimate Ninjas expanded aggressively while maintaining a distinct brand identity. The franchise emphasizes a blend of power, agility, creativity, and character—principles Piejak has described as core to the member experience. The company now operates across the United States and has begun international growth through its Chinese partnership.

Today, Piejak leads the Ultimate Ninjas Franchise Group as CEO, overseeing continued franchise development and brand standardization. The company's obstacle course gyms remain popular with families and fitness enthusiasts seeking engaging, skill-based workouts that go beyond traditional gym routines.