In February 2014, Lift Brands was launched as an umbrella company to a family of fitness-focused brands, including Snap Fitness, 9Round, Fitness on Demand, STEELE 365 and Kosama. Now, Lift has also announced plans to increase its international franchise footprint in 2014.
With the hiring of Scott Schubiger as senior vice president of Worldwide Franchise Development for Lift Brands, the domestic and global expansion efforts will be vast in the coming months and years. “Scott is very organized and hard-charging and that is exactly what we look for in our team,” said Peter Taunton, the founder, president and CEO of Lift Brands.
Most recently, Schubiger handled worldwide franchise development for Rita’s Franchise Company, after spending five years at Realogy Corporation where he was responsible for the U.S. expansion of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate from its launch in 2008.
This is Schubiger’s first venture into the fitness industry, but Taunton believes he’s a great fit for the company regardless. “He’s always worked out and lived a healthy lifestyle,” said Taunton. “I think he has always aspired to work in something that he can relate to. That’s what this fitness space is. It’s a feel-good environment — every day you come in and you change someone’s life. It’s inspiring.”
Snap Fitness, under the parent company of Lift Brands, currently has over 2,000 clubs already open and operating in 15 countries, and has master agreements signed in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt and Mexico. This is where Schubiger’s experience in the international market will come into play. “We appreciate the experience in franchise and international development that he brings to the table,” said Taunton. “It is especially important as we look to grow our brands, particularly Snap [Fitness].”
In addition, Snap recently acquired a significant investment stake in 9Round, a rapidly expanding kickboxing franchise. This franchise also had rapid growth in 2013 with a steady movement from 30 to 100 clubs in just over a year, and an additional 200 openings planned for 2014. International expansion for 9Round is planned for Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and Canada in 2014.
By Maggie Cunningham
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
