Bonus Insight: 2018 Franchise Forecast Feature

Club Solutions recently published the 2018 Franchise Forecast feature, which provides an overview of the many fitness franchise opportunities available to entrepreneurs looking to invest in a new club or even convert their existing gyms.

For those looking for additional insight into many of the franchises featured, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the latest developments and differentiating qualities of certain brands.

Anytime Fitness

According to IHRSA, Anytime Fitness has been the “fastest-growing fitness club franchise in the world for 10 consecutive years,” opening an average of 300 new clubs each year. The company has also been ranked No. 1 on Entrepreneur’s prestigious “Top Global Franchise” list.

Worldwide, Anytime Fitness has more gyms worldwide than any other franchise, with 3,900 total gyms. In the U.S., the brand boasts 2,500 gyms, with 1,400 additional gyms in 28 different countries.

Anytime Fitness was founded in 2002 and “prides itself on providing its members with convenient fitness options and top-quality exercise equipment.”

Blink Fitness

Currently, there are 65 Blink Fitness gyms open and operating in four states, 14 of which opened in 2017 alone. According to Blink Fitness, the company plans to open 25 new gyms in 2018 and expects to surpass the 300-unit mark over the next five years.

Blink Fitness was founded in 2011 with a “Mood Above Muscle” philosophy, which celebrates “how exercise makes you feel, not just how it makes you look.”

Recently, Blink Fitness announced a partnership with the Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green to open a minimum of 20 gyms across Michigan and Illinois, which will result in the brand’s first venture into the Great Lakes region.

“I’m really excited about bringing Blink gyms to Michigan and Chicago,” said Green, in a statement. “I think about where I grew up and the people I grew up with. We didn’t have anything like Blink. Everyone wants a cool place to get fit and workout. But lots of communities don’t have any options. The places are either terrible or too expensive. We’re going to change that. This is not an endorsement deal for me. I’m going to invest my money and my time to partner with Blink to bring an amazing gym experience to these communities.”

Crunch Fitness

Crunch was founded in 1989, and since has grown to more than 250 clubs. Recently, Franchise Business Review published its list of the top franchises for 2018, and named Crunch “Best in Category” in the fitness sector.

“We have been fortunate enough to be a five-year recipient of the FBR 50 Franchisee Satisfaction Award, but this is the first time we have been rated as number one,” said Ben Midgley, CEO of Crunch Franchising, in a statement. “We want to sincerely thank our great network of owners for the hard work they put in each day and for their open and honest feedback. We are thrilled to be receiving this award and to be number one in the fitness industry.”

Crunch boasts locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and Spain and serves more than 1 million members.

Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness has recently received a number of accolades, including being ranked No. 1 on Franchise Times’ 2018 “Fast & Serious” list. The company has also been ranked No. 60 on Inc. magazine’s “Fastest Growing Private Companies” list; No. 11 on Entrepreneur magazine’s “Fastest Growing Franchises” list; and No. 48 in Entrepreneur’s “2018 Franchise 500” list of the top franchises in the world.

Orangetheory Fitness was founded in 2010 and boasts more than 915 studios in 49 states and 17 countries. The concept positions itself as a “scientifically designed, one-of-a-kind, group personal training workout broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training.”

Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992, Planet Fitness is one of the largest franchise players in the fitness industry, with around 1,500 locations.

One of the most interesting aspects of the brand is the fact that most franchisees do not come from a background in the fitness club industry. According to Planet Fitness, the clean and simple-to-run model attracts men and women from diverse backgrounds, including other multi-unit franchise owners and investors, in addition to doctors and attorneys.

According to Planet Fitness, the one thing all franchisees have in common is an entrepreneurial spirit.

Workout Anytime

Workout Anytime entered the franchise scene in 2005, and since has grown to more than 140 locations.

This year, Workout Anytime will continue to focus on targeted expansion throughout the U.S., including the rapidly growing Texas market, where the brand now boasts locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston, with an additional club on the horizon in Lubbock.  

Additionally, Workout Anytime is growing in Florida, with three new clubs opening in central Florida in the 1st quarter of 2018. The company is also targeting Virginia and Wisconsin for further expansion.

However, Steve Strickland, the CEO of Workout Anytime, recently told Club Solutions the company plans to grow responsibly. “We’re not in business to sell franchises,” he said. “We’re in business to sell successful franchises. The number of units is not important if they’re not successful. If we can build to 1,000 clubs and they’re all doing well, then that’s our focus.”

For the full list of franchises featured in Club Solutions’ 2018 Franchise Forecast feature, click here.