Crunch Fitness announced the appointment of John D’Anna, its SVP of real estate, as the company’s new chief development officer, effective January 21, 2025.
Since 2024, D’Anna has been critical in directing Crunch’s real estate and construction teams. Under his guidance, Crunch achieved record levels of signed leases, which increased 41% year over year. In his new role, D’Anna will oversee the strategy and execution of Crunch’s real estate, construction, franchise growth and signature facilities teams, focusing on significant expansion and enhancing profitability.
With almost three decades of experience in real estate development and franchise relations, D’Anna’s leadership will play a pivotal role as Crunch accelerates its growth. Before joining Crunch, he held senior leadership titles at Axios Equities and McDonald’s, where he successfully acquired, developed and managed commercial real estate locations across the U.S.
Also known for his talent management skills, D’Anna has recruited and managed top-performing teams and enhanced team culture for the brands he has served. He attributes his success to strong and strategic relationships with franchisees, real estate developers and major retailers, and he maintains an unwavering focus on creating value for stakeholders.
“John’s extensive background in real estate and his proven ability to execute large-scale development strategies make him an exceptional addition to our executive team,” said Chequan Lewis, the president of Crunch Fitness. “His vision, expertise and ability to build strong partnerships with franchisees will be key as we continue to expand the Crunch brand and bring our unique fitness experience to more communities worldwide.”
“I’m excited to step into the role of chief development officer at Crunch Fitness at such an exciting time in our journey,” stated D’Anna. “Crunch has built an incredible brand that resonates with people of all fitness levels, and I look forward to helping expand its presence and reach. By collaborating with franchisees, developers, brokers, and related networks, together with the broader Crunch executive team, I’m confident we can continue delivering exceptional experiences for members while driving the company’s growth goals.”
