The fitness industry is currently ripe with franchise opportunities, ranging from big-box clubs to boutique concepts. Below, our 2023 Franchise Forecast provides a list of established and up-and-coming franchise opportunities available in the industry.
This year, our forecast includes the keys to each franchise’s success, visions for each entity’s future, expansion opportunities, tips for the industry and more. If you’re considering becoming a franchisee, use this forecast for a who’s who of the best options available in the industry.
9Round
By Shannon Hudson, the founder and CEO of 9Round.
What are your keys to success? Transparent and effective communication is vital for the success of any team. We make it a point to provide regular updates to team members, ensuring they’re well-informed about the progress of our projects and major key performance indicators. This practice fosters trust, collaboration and a shared sense of purpose among team members, ultimately leading to collective success. One of the most crucial aspects of success is maintaining a resilient attitude and persevering in the face of challenges. I firmly believe in the power of persistence and adaptability.
What is the vision of your franchise’s future? Our vision for the future of our franchise is ambitious yet grounded in a deep understanding of our industry and the needs of our members. We envision 9Round as the unrivaled leader in kickboxing fitness on a global scale. We strive to be more than just a fitness brand. We want to become synonymous with high-intensity, results-driven and engaging workout experiences. Our goal is to be the go-to destination for individuals of all fitness levels who seek a challenging and rewarding fitness routine. Furthermore, we are committed to expanding our reach and impact.
Where are you looking to expand? At 9Round, we are thrilled about the prospects of expanding our reach both domestically and internationally in the coming years. With our proven success and growing demand for our unique kickboxing-themed workouts, we see incredible opportunities for growth and impact in new markets. Our goal is to bring the 9Round experience to more individuals around the world, empowering them to achieve their fitness goals and live healthier lives.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know? As part of our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, we’re retooling our business model to offer members even more services. This expansion aims to provide a comprehensive fitness solution that goes beyond kickboxing workouts alone. By incorporating additional offerings, we strive to meet the diverse needs and preferences of our members, ensuring they have access to a well-rounded fitness journey.
Our newest proprietary technology is at the heart of our business evolution. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we can enhance the overall member experience, streamline operations and drive innovation within our franchise. With the retooling of our business model, we are introducing new revenue streams that offer additional opportunities for profitability.
Contact information for potential franchisees: Interested candidates should visit our website at 9round.com/fitness-franchises and fill out the online form to be contacted by one of our franchise development representatives.
Amped Fitness
By Jordan Ollie, the marketing and media coordinator of Amped Fitness.
What are your keys to success?
1. People. At Amped Fitness, we recognize our team and members are at the heart of our success. We prioritize recruiting and retaining top talent, ensuring our staff not only possess necessary skills but also share our passion for fitness and wellness.
2. Culture. Our encouraging, high-energy and inclusive culture sets us apart. From the beginning, it’s been our top priority to create a team that’s passionate not only about fitness but also about community, integrity and mental strength. We’ve hand-selected individuals cut from the same cloth. They’re hungry for growth and opportunity, and we’ve coached them to embrace the power of freedom.
3. Ownership. Taking accountability is a fundamental aspect of our approach. We empower our team members to take charge of their roles, make decisions, and contribute to the growth of our brand and franchise network. This sense of ownership extends to our franchise partners who become true stakeholders in our collective success.
What is the vision of your franchise’s future? Our vision is bold. Amped Franchising will become the most significant portion of Amped Fitness after a few years. Every move we make today is a step toward achieving this vision. We allocate our resources to Amped Franchising, making it our primary focus and ensuring it becomes the driving force behind our brand’s growth while still growing our corporate locations behind the scenes.
Where are you looking to expand? Currently, we’re actively pursuing expansion opportunities in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. These regions offer tremendous potential for our brand to make a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals seeking to embrace a healthier lifestyle. We can’t wait to take Amped Fitness nationwide.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know? To our industry peers, there’s never been a more opportune moment to join forces with Amped Fitness. Our brand stands out not only for its eye-catching facilities, but for its proven and steadfast growth since 2016. With an all-new business model called the experience-design, low-price concept that’s been tried and tested, we’re ready to take Amped to the top. We’re excited to welcome new franchise partners into the Amped family and collaborate to bring Amped to the masses.
Contact information for potential franchises: For more information on becoming a part of the Amped Fitness family, visit ampedfitness.com/franchise-opportunity or connect with us directly at franchise@ampedfitness.com.
Barry’s
By Zach Collinger, the vice president of international development and operations at Barry’s.
What are your keys to success? Passion for the brand is at the heart of our franchise partners’ success. Most of our franchise portfolio was built by partners who were and still are brand loyalists who seized the opportunity to bring Barry’s to their home countries after taking classes at one of our 84 global studios. Our most passionate partners are those who live and breathe Barry’s and lead their teams as a hands-on owner/operator with deep connections to their market. They embrace our mission to have fun, find your strength and be your best, as well as delivering on our vision to transform lives worldwide.
What is the vision of your franchise’s future? Global expansion, innovation and continuing to improve upon the delivery of our best-in-class workout experience. We believe the white space is vast, so we’re developing new programming to build upon our original Run X Lift workout that will enable us to transform more lives worldwide. At the same time, we’re partnering with like-minded luxury brands to deliver unexpected “wow” moments for clients before and after they workout.
Where are you looking to expand? South America is a huge priority for us. We are actively seeking partners to develop Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Chile, as well as a few select markets in Asia and across Europe.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know? Barry’s is a values-led organization on a mission to transform lives worldwide. Since 1998, Barry’s has spurred a global boutique fitness movement to become not just a fitness leader but a community and lifestyle, connecting clients across 14 countries. Today, a worldwide phenomenon with a cult-like following, Barry’s makes working hard and getting strong fun.
Contact information for potential franchisees: Visit our global partner portal on our website, barrys.com/become-a-global-partner and fill out our candidate questionnaire, or email us at franchise@barrys.com.
British Swim School
By Julia Moody, the director of marketing at British Swim School.
What are your keys to success? The keys to the success of British Swim School are simple: a proven model that reduces risk, affordable start-up costs, an asset-light business model easy to scale, and ongoing training and support.
What is the vision of your franchise’s future? The British Swim School mission is to ensure every person — regardless of age or ability — has the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer. We have over 120 franchise owners who are working to empower students with life-saving skills and making a meaningful impact in their communities.
Where are you looking to expand? We have fantastic markets available nationwide with great opportunities in places such as Los Angeles, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Columbia, South Carolina; Portland, Oregon; and Savannah, Georgia, to name just a few.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know? Most of our owners don’t come from a swimming background, and we offer all necessary business and aquatics training. As a British Swim School franchise owner, you never have to get wet or teach a lesson, unless you want to.
Contact information for potential franchisees: Email franchising@britishswimschool.com or visit britishswimschoolfranchise.com.
The Details
- Franchise Name: British Swim School
- About: British Swim School is the premier swimming lessons provider, teaching lessons that focus on safety, fun and skill development across all age and ability levels. We rent pools and find you water, so there are no costs for buildout, maintenance or upkeep.
- Year founded: 1981
- Number of Locations: 350
- Initial Investment: $99,960 to $135,010
- Net-worth Requirement: $150,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $75,000
- Initial Franchise Fee: $45,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee: 10%
Crunch Fitness
By Ben Midgley, the CEO and founding partner of Crunch Franchising, LLC.
What are your keys to success? Over the years, our biggest key to success has been our culture. The network is small enough that we have very strong relationships with our franchisees, and they bring a tremendous number of great ideas forward on how we can advance the brand collectively.
What is the vision of your franchise’s future? Our vision is to be the first brand of choice for fitness consumers across the U.S and to grow into that position internationally as we continue to expand.
Where are you looking to expand? Currently we are in 39 states and six countries. We’re targeting growth in all 50 states in the next few years and are looking to expand into two or three new countries a year.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know? Crunch is the original no judgments gym with millions of members. We’re also the fastest growing full-size fitness franchise in the industry. We’re always looking for new partners who are committed to fun, fitness and an incredible member experience to help us continue our brand’s growth.
Contact information for potential franchisees: Email Greg McDonough at greg.mcdonough@crunch.com or visit crunch.com.
Planet Fitness
What are your keys to success? Planet Fitness is an affordable fitness solution. Our locations provide a high-quality fitness experience in a non-intimidating, judgement-free environment, and welcome members at all fitness levels from beginners to experienced gym-goers.
What is the vision of your franchise’s future? We’re focused on getting 80% of those without gym memberships off the couch and increasing physical and mental wellness among our members. The more people we can get off the couch and into an exercise routine that will help improve their physical and mental wellness the better.
Where are you looking to expand? We’re just getting started on our international growth plans. We already have a presence in Canada, Australia, Mexico and Panama. In 2022, we announced we’ve signed an agreement to expand into New Zealand as well. We have an international team focused on accelerating our growth outside the U.S. to locations that will be receptive to our low price point and judgement-free environment.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know? Despite the macroeconomic climate, Planet Fitness reached total membership of more than 18.1 million as of our first quarter in 2023. Thanks to our high-quality, affordable fitness experience, we continue to be well-positioned to get more people off the couch and into our clubs. Our existing members are visiting more frequently as well and remaining committed to their fitness journeys.
Contact information for potential franchisees: Please visit Planet Fitness’s franchising page at planetfitness.com/franchising/become-a-franchisee to learn more.
Row House
By Nik Kish, the president of Row House.
What are your keys to success? The three keys for a franchisee to have success are as follows:
Have a passion for the brand and for people. The more passionate we are about the brand and experience, the better equipped we are to inspire others.
Follow the systems. One of the reasons you buy into a franchise system is so you can have access to proven best practices and avoid common beginner mistakes.
Be a leader. So much success comes first from what we’re willing and able to do to succeed. That can inspire others to join our organization and follow our lead.
What is the vision of your franchise’s future? Our vision and mission for Row House is to make indoor rowing widely adopted and celebrated. Rowing as a sport has an amazing history, but indoor rowing as a fitness modality is still in its infancy. People may use a rower for a warmup or for a small part of their workout, but there’s so much more to gain from a more dedicated rowing workout like what we offer at Row House. We’re coaching rowing to another level and also providing off-the-rower work to complement and complete the workouts.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know? It’s an exciting time to be part of the Row House brand and the Row House mission. We’re building a modality together and so much of the growth is in front of us, which is grounded in educating the consumer on all the incredible benefits rowing for fitness provides, both mentally and physically. We dedicate ourselves to creating an exceptional Row House experience for anyone and everyone wanting to experience it and provide exceptional support to our owners and studio teams to deliver on that experience. As we work to open our hundredth studio, it’s only the beginning and the momentum is gaining.
Contact information for potential franchisees: Check out how to open a Row House studio and learn what the journey is like by visiting therowhouse.com/franchise.
StretchLab
By Verdine Baker, the president of StretchLab.
What are your keys to success? At StretchLab, we have a talented, hard-working team as well as hundreds of incredible franchisees who give their studios their all, day in and day out. Along with great people, StretchLab capitalizes on an emerging trend in the wellness space. People are realizing now more than ever that stretching — and particularly assisted stretching — are essential to lead a long, healthy life without pain. The more we bring awareness to this, the more people we can help and the more success we will continue to have.
What is the vision of your franchise’s future? We want to remain the global leader in assisted stretching. Over the past couple years, we have opened a studio every three days, lifting our number of open studios over 350. We also have nearly 900 signed franchise agreements, so the growth is not slowing down anytime soon. We must ensure everyone is aligned and ready to work hard to keep our brand and services top-notch.
Where are you looking to expand? Our expansion strategy is based on the geographical demand from our prospective and existing franchisees. We do, however, ensure our franchisees are choosing real estate that will set them up for optimal success. We’ve been very fortunate to experience exceptional growth and demand for both the franchise opportunity and our assisted stretching services.
We have experienced growing international demand for StretchLab and have launched in four countries outside of North America including Australia, Japan, Mexico and Kuwait. We’re looking forward to growing our international and domestic presence to bring the benefits of assisted stretching and the StretchLab experience to more people.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know? Assisted stretching is not going anywhere anytime soon. People are now discovering the life-changing benefits of this modality, even though stretching has been around forever. I can confidently say StretchLab is the best place to experience an assisted stretch. Our Flexologist Training Program is the only one in the country nationally accredited by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.
Contact information for potential franchisees: Check out how to open a StretchLab studio and learn what the journey is like by visiting stretchlab.com/franchise.
UFC GYM
By Ryan Utsman, the vice president of the franchise division at UFC GYM.
What are your keys to success? With popular and effective group classes, wearable technology, Box HIIT Live and recovery modalities, UFC GYM members receive access to world-class facilities, a comfortable and safe environment, top coaches, and the most diverse offerings in the fitness industry. Our value proposition is our key to success. We focus on a holistic experience that not only helps you physically but mentally as well. We’re dedicated to helping people of all ages and athletic abilities train like UFC world-class athletes at their own pace.
What is the vision of your franchise’s future? Our vision is “To Revolutionize the World to Train Different.” Our goals are to have 1,000-plus locations, one million-plus members, 10 million-plus monthly workouts, a UFC GYM in every world market and to be a $1 billion company.
Where are you looking to expand? We currently have development agreements signed for over 900 locations in over 40 countries and are looking to expand in every continent all over the globe.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know? UFC GYMs are not fighter gyms. UFC GYM was designed for families, men, women and kids of all ages and athletic abilities to train like UFC Champions, not to get into the octagon to fight but to become the best version of themselves. If you want to fight, we have the coaches who can take you there. But at our core, UFC GYM helps members achieve their goals even beyond their own expectations. We are a results-based brand with an unrivaled culture that creates an amazing community.
Contact information for potential franchisees: Call Curtis Braden, the director of franchise development, at 949.662.2591, email him at curtis.braden@ufcgym.com or visit ufcgymfrancise.com.
