RetroFitness is rescuing independent club operators. As part of its national growth strategy, RetroFitness is offering to support gym owners struggling in today’s tough economy or want the benefit of being part of a growing brand and the proven RetroFitness business model.
During the past six months, RetroFitness has converted gyms in Ronkonkoma, N.Y., and Glen Cove, N.J. A third independent club operator is in the process of converting to a RetroFitness branded location in New Rochelle, N.Y. Additional agreements are currently under negotiation.
“The success we had with our first club conversion in Ronkonkoma was unbelievable,” said Eric Casaburi, the founder and CEO of RetroFitness. “We were able to take a gym that was finding it difficult to compete in this economy and turn it into a profit maker. Membership has increased significantly, and we’ve enhanced the overall gym experience for existing members. This goes to show that RetroFitness provides the right business formula needed to survive and prosper in any economic or competitive environment.”
Casaburi said an inundation of requests created an opportunity for RetroFitness to create a simplified business model for conversion clubs, to make it easy for owners to convert.
He credits the RetroFitness’ brand success as to why independent gym owners are choosing to convert their gyms to the RetroFitness Brand.
These independent gyms undergo full conversions; both a physical transformation as well as back office and operating systems. “We train you on everything,” Casaburi said. “We can show the operator new things or things they haven’t thought of before.”
Conversion clubs stay open the entire time of the process. Members benefit from the new equipment and new amenities. “It’s a great, exciting time for the members,” Casaburi said. “We get members to really buy in to the club.”
The company projects 300 gyms to open during the next three years.