Currently, the fitness industry is teeming with franchise opportunities ranging from multipurpose, big-box clubs to smaller, boutique facilities. Many of these franchises provide fruitful opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to invest in a new club or even convert their existing gyms. Here is an overview of some of the franchise opportunities available in the market and what niche each fills.
9Round
9Round is a specialized fitness center for people who want a unique, fun and proven workout that guarantees results. 9Round offers a kickboxing-themed fitness program that incorporates functional, interval, cardiovascular and circuit training regimens. The programs consist of a proprietary system of nine challenging workout stations developed by a world champion kickboxer.
- Year founded: 2008
- Number of locations: 632 in 13 countries
- Average total investment: $75,200-$116,800
- Net-worth requirement: $60,000 — 700+ credit score
- Liquid cash requirement: $25,000 liquid assets — access to $100,000 (through loans, etc.)
- Initial franchise fee: $24,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: $449 US/$499 Canada
- Contact: 9round.com, jeff.mathews@9round.com
Anytime Fitness
Ranked No. 1 on Entrepreneur’s prestigious “Top Global Franchise list,” Anytime Fitness has been the fastest-growing gym franchise in the world — for 10 consecutive years— serving more than 3 million members in nearly 4,000 gyms. Open 24 hours a day, Anytime Fitness prides itself on providing its members with convenient fitness options and top-quality exercise equipment.
- Year founded: 2002
- Number of locations: 3,900
- Initial investment: $114,950-$677,800
- Net-worth requirement: $300,000
- Liquid cash requirement: $100,000
- Initial franchise fee: $39,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: $549/month
- Contact: anytimefitnessfranchise.com, info@anytimefitness.com
Blink Fitness
Blink Fitness puts Mood Above Muscle, celebrating how exercise makes you feel, not just how it makes you look. Each gym employs the company’s signature Feel Good Experience that highlights enthusiastic staff members; a clean environment; an open, spacious and colorful design; energizing music and fitness training that is motivating and affordable.
- Year founded: 2011
- Number of locations: 63
- Initial investment: $637,000-$2.1 million
- Net-worth requirement: $1.5 million
- Liquid cash requirement: $300,000/gym
- Initial franchise fee: $10,000-$25,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Contact: blinkfitness.com; Patricia Perry: patricia.perry@blinkfitness.com
Club Pilates
Ranked as the “Fastest Growing Franchise” in Inc. Magazine’s 2017 Inc. 5000 list, Club Pilates is the largest premium network of group Pilates studios in the world, with more than 600 locations slated to be open by the end of 2018. It is breaking down the traditional barriers to Pilates by offering franchise opportunities to make the method accessible to more people, both financially and geographically. Club Pilates passionately believes Pilates is the finest strength-training workout available to anyone, at any age, and for any fitness level. Its franchising opportunity offers thousands of people a path to a fuller, richer and healthier life.
- Year founded: 2007
- Number of locations: 325 open, 710 sold
- Initial investment: $180,595–$249, 295
- Net-worth requirement: $300,000
- Liquid cash requirement: $75,000
- Initial franchise fee: $49,500
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%, 2% marketing fund
- Contact: clubpilatesfranchise.com, franchising@clubpilates.com
Crunch Fitness
Crunch is one of the most recognized brands in fitness, supported by its iconic logo, vibrant club design, overall personality and progressive marketing. Its turnkey model combines value pricing with the weights, machines and cardio consumers seek, plus Crunch’s proprietary personal training, unparalleled group fitness and innovative HIIT group training.
- Year founded: 1989
- Number of locations: 250+
- Initial investment: $304,500-$2,129,500
- Net-worth requirement: $1 million minimum combined net worth of all partners
- Liquid cash requirement: $400,000 minimum combined liquid assets of all partners
- Initial franchise fee: $25,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5% of monthly gross sales
- Brand Marketing Fund contribution: 2% of monthly gross sales
- Contact: crunchfranchise.com; John Merrion: john@crunchfranchise.com
CycleBar
CycleBar is the only truly premium experiential fitness concept offered in franchising. It is the largest network of premium indoor cycle studios in the world, with more than 180 locations slated to open throughout 2018. CycleBar provides an established executive model, intensive training and a completely scalable business to make the possibilities endless.
- Year founded: 2014
- Number of locations: 115 open, 345 sold
- Initial investment: $379,100-$987,605
- Net-worth requirement: $1 million
- Minimum cash requirement: $300,000
- Initial franchise fee: $45,000-$49,500
- Ongoing royalty fee: 7%, 2% marketing fund
- Contact: cyclebarfranchise.com, kate@xponential.com
Gold’s Gym
Gold’s Gym has been the world’s trusted fitness authority since 1965. From its beginnings as a small gym in Venice, California, Gold’s Gym has grown into a global icon with 700-plus locations serving 3 million people across six continents each day. Featuring personalized transformation plans, state-of-the-art equipment, certified personal trainers and a supportive environment, Gold’s Gym delivers a dynamic fitness experience.
- Year founded: 1965
- Number of locations: 700+ locations in 28 countries
- Net-worth requirement: $1 million
- Liquid cash requirement: $400,000
- Initial franchise fee: $40,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Contact: franchising.goldsgym.com; Ken Phipps: ken.phipps@goldsgym.com
MUV Brands Franchising
MUV Brands Franchising currently offers two results-driven franchise concepts. MUV Fitness clubs are full-service, multi-amenity premium health clubs. MUV Training is a boutique fitness concept that features MUV Tribe (heart monitored group strength classes), MUV Barre, MUV Cycle and MUV Yoga. Award-winning MUV It & Lose Challenges included in both concepts.
- Year founded: 2014
- Number of locations: MUV Fitness, 13; MUV Training, 5
- Initial investment: MUV Fitness, $500,000-$2 million; MUV Training, $250,000-$750,000
- Net-worth requirement: $250,000-$1 million
- Liquid cash requirement: $200,000-$400,000
- Initial franchise fee: $25,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 2.5%-4% declining
- Additional info: Area development and international master franchise partnerships available
- Contact: muvfitness.com; Marcus Salim: msalim@muvbrands.com
NutriMost Wellness & Weight Loss
NutriMost Wellness & Weight Loss is one of the largest wellness and weight loss franchises in the country. NutriMost offers professionally-supervised weight loss and wellness programs tailored to clients’ needs based on nutritional science utilizing a proprietary program known as NutriMost Intelligence. NutriMost offers a complete line of professional, high quality, all-natural supplements and personal care products to support each individual.
- Year founded: 2013
- Number of locations: 94
- Initial investment: $35,000
- Net-worth requirement: $300,000
- Minimum cash requirement: $150,000
- Initial franchise fee: $24,997
- Ongoing royalty fee:
$599.99 per zip code/monthly - Contact: nutrimostfranchising.com, paulg@nutrimost.com
Orangetheory Fitness
Orangetheory Fitness has transformed into one of the world’s top fitness franchises. The brand’s ongoing success has reinforced its position as the leader of the franchise fitness segment, with the company on track to have over 1,130 open studios and $1 billion in system-wide revenue by the end of 2018.
- Year founded: 2010
- Number of locations: 915+ studios in 49 states, 17 countries
- Initial investment: $488,405-$994,360
- Net-worth requirement: $500,000
- Liquid cash requirement: $150,000
- Initial franchise fee: $54,950-$59,950
- Ongoing royalty fee: 8%
- Contact: otffranchise.com, plamb@orangetheoryfitness.com
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. by number of members and locations. Its mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which it calls the Judgement Free Zone.
- Year founded: 1992
- Number of locations: 1,500
- Initial investment: $857,080-$4,234,750
- Net-worth requirement: $1.5 million
- Liquid cash requirement: $600,000 *some stipulations apply
- Initial franchise fee: $20,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 7%
- Contact: planetfitness.com, franchising@planetfitness.com
Retro Fitness
Retro Fitness is a rapidly growing franchise model within the fitness industry that provides a high return on investment, strong-unit economics and streamlined operations. The combination of state-of-the-art gym facilities that feature 60 to 75 pieces of cardio equipment with personal LCD television screens, three different types of circuit training equipment and the “New Exercise Order” make Retro Fitness more than just your average gym.
- Year founded: 2005
- Number of locations: 150
- Initial investment: $941,350-$1,892,250
- Net-worth requirement: $1.5 million
- Liquid cash requirement: $300,000
- Initial franchise fee: $69,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Contact: retrofitness.com, info@retrofranchising.com
UFC GYM and CLASS by UFC GYM
UFC GYM Franchise Division is the growing force behind the UFC GYM business. With locations around the world, the brand continues to grow its presence with the unique Train Different philosophy. With UFC GYM Core, Signature and the new CLASS by UFC GYM model, UFC GYM has options to fit all types of fitness-minded franchisees.
- Year founded: 2009
- Number of locations: Over 600 locations open or in development globally
- Initial investment: Item 7 in FDD
- Net-worth requirement: $300,000-$1.5 million
- Liquid cash requirement: $100,000-$500,000
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000-$50,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 4-6%
- Contact: ufcgymfranchise.com, franchiseinfo@ufcgym.com
WORKOUT ANYTIME
Atlanta-based WORKOUT ANYTIME is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week fitness concept. Founded by fitness veterans John Quattrocchi and Steve Strickland, the company was formed to provide members with first-class fitness facilities at the lowest cost possible, while delivering a profitable and affordable business model to franchisees.
- Year founded: 1999
- Number of locations: 140
- Initial investment: $449,800-$865,500
- Net-worth requirement: $500,000
- Liquid cash requirement: $150,000
- Initial franchise fee: $29,500
- Ongoing royalty fee: 4%
- Contact: workoutanytimefranchise.com; Randy Trotter: rtrotter@workoutanytime.com
