2021 Franchise Forecast

Franchising can be a great opportunity for a fitness professional to own their own business or expand their portfolio. The industry is currently ripe with opportunities, ranging from big-box clubs to niche concepts. Here, use our 2021 Franchise Forecast for a list of established and up-and-coming franchise opportunities available in the industry.

9Round

Founded in 2008 by professional kickboxer Shannon Hudson and his wife, Heather, 9Round is a specialized fitness franchise that brings kickboxing fitness training to the average person in a convenient, affordable, 30-minute, full-body circuit format. The program is developed around a proprietary and copyrighted system of nine challenging workout stations developed by Shannon himself. Today, there are over 700 9Round locations open and operating throughout 42 states and 18 countries.

The Details

Year founded: 2008
Number of locations: 700
Initial investment: $79,175 to $163,275 Net-worth requirement: $150,000 Liquid cash requirement: $30,000 Initial franchise fee: $30,000
Ongoing royalty fee: $600 per month

Contact: 864.881.4713 — shannon@9round.com — 9round.com

Anytime Fitness

Join the most established and strongest performing fitness franchise worldwide. With over 4,700 territories on seven continents — yep, seven — we help our franchisees turn passion into profits. Franchising opportunities exist in all markets.

The Details

Year founded: 2002
Number of locations: 4,733
Initial investment: $98,430 to $523,824
Net-worth requirement: $300,000
Liquid cash requirement: $100,000
Initial franchise fee: $42,500
Ongoing royalty fee: $699 per month

Contact: 800.704.5004 — anytimefitness.com/franchise

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.

The Details

Year founded: 1989
Number of locations: 360-plus
Initial investment: $304,500 to $2,129,500
Net-worth requirement: $2 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: john@crunchfranchise.com — crunch.com/franchise

CycleBar Franchising

With 200-plus locations open worldwide, CycleBar offers low-impact, high-intensity indoor cycling workouts for all fitness levels. Studios offer an immersive, multi-sensory experience led by motivating instructors, the beat of high-energy, curated playlists and rider-specific performance metrics. CycleBar is backed by Xponential Fitness, the largest franchisor in boutique fitness.

The Details

Year founded: 2004
Number of locations: 216 open, 404 licensed/sold
Initial investment: $402,650 to $498,700
Net-worth requirement: $500,000
Liquid cash requirement: $100,000
Initial franchise fee: $60,000
Ongoing royalty fee: 7%

Contact: 513.815.8467 — salesinfo@xponential.com — cyclebar.com/franchise

Delta Life Fitness

Delta Life Fitness (DLF) is a boutique fitness franchise that serves ladies looking for more friends and more confidence. DLF provides effective, 30-minute, in-studio and at-home workouts, onsite childcare and is built just for the ladies.

The Details

Year founded: 2009
Number of locations: 68
Initial investment: $304,200 to $442,500
Net-worth requirement: $200,000
Liquid cash requirement: $85,000
Initial franchise fee: $49,500
Ongoing royalty fee: 6%

Contact: 409.651.0010 — josh@deltalifefitness.com — deltalifefitness.com

Fitness 1440

A Fitness 1440 health club franchise is the newest and hottest health club franchise available today, offering a very unique approach with scientific heart rate technology and the all-new proprietary Target 24 interval training system. Our franchise opportunities provide a measure of security that is often missing from independent ventures. Fitness 1440 provides detailed, upfront training on how to successfully operate your gym. We also provide continued support in marketing, advertising, employee relations and human resources.

The Details

Year founded: 2009
Number of locations: 40
Initial investment: Ranges depending on size of gym
Net-worth requirement: $500,000
Liquid cash requirement: $200,000
Initial franchise fee: $39,000
Ongoing royalty fee: 5%

Contact: 480.550.5936 — nickhoward@fitness1440.com — fitness1440.com

Gold’s Gym

From its beginning in 1965 as a small gym in Venice, California, Gold’s Gym has grown into a global icon spanning six continents. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, certified personal trainers and a diverse group exercise program, Gold’s Gym delivers a dynamic fitness experience focused on strength and performance.

The Details

Year founded: 1965
Number of locations: Over 600 gyms across six continents
Initial investment: $1.5 million to $5 million
Net-worth requirement: $1 million
Liquid cash requirement: $400,000
Initial franchise fee: $40,000
Ongoing royalty fee: 5%

Contact: 516.672.2483 — dean.giamundo@goldsgym.com — franchising.goldsgym.com

Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire, 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. The company’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment called the Judgement Free Zone.

The Details

Year founded: 1992
Number of locations: 2,086
Initial investment: $968,100 to $4,113,000
Net-worth requirement: $3 million
Liquid cash requirement: $1.5 million
Initial franchise fee: $20,000
Ongoing royalty fee: 7%

Contact: planetfitness.com/franchising/become-a-franchisee

UFC GYM

UFC GYM showcases MMA-inspired fitness that intersects community with the power of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. With three unique models, the brand has material points of differentiation versus traditional fitness that includes but isn’t limited to boxing/kickboxing, HIIT/DUT, BJJ, youth programming, technology, recovery, nutrition and certifications.

The Details

Year founded: 2009
Number of locations: 152 globally
Initial investment: Based on model, can range between $500,000 to $3 million
Net-worth requirement: Based on model, $500,000-plus
Liquid cash requirement: Starting at $250,000
Initial franchise fee: $30,000 to $50,000
Ongoing royalty fee: 4% to 6%

Contact: mike.apple@ufcgym.com — ufcgym.com

Workout Anytime

Atlanta-based Workout Anytime is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week fitness concept with 160-plus units across the U.S. 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. Built on the founders’ motto of, “Think big, keep it simple and do it with integrity,” Workout Anytime is preparing for significant expansion into new territories by providing opportunities to business-minded entrepreneurs.

The Details

Founded: 1999
Number of locations: 167
Initial investment: $562,850 to $1,008,550
Net-worth requirement: $500,000
Liquid capital: $175,000
Initial franchise fee: $35,000
Ongoing royalty fee: 6%

Contact: terri.harof@workoutanytime.com — workoutanytime.com

World Gym

Now is the time to invest in the resurging fitness and wellness industry and make money doing what you love. Founded in 1976 by fitness legend Joe Gold, World Gym has re-invented the model of the full-service gym and represents the best way to capitalize on this timely investment opportunity. With best-in-class franchisee support — including business KPIs to increase profitability across multiple revenue streams, marketing, sales, advanced frontend and backend technologies, fitness programming and innovative wellness amenities.

The Details: