IGNITE Fitness Holdings, one of the largest developers and operators of fitness clubs under the Planet Fitness brand, announced the appointment of Joe Pepe, Jr. as CEO. Pepe will also join the company’s Board of Directors. IGNITE currently operates 134 Planet Fitness locations across the U.S. and Canada, with five additional openings planned by the end of 2025.
Pepe, Jr. has been part of the Planet Fitness brand for more than 18 years and has served as IGNITE’s COO since 2019. During his tenure, he’s played an integral role in the company’s growth, guiding its expansion from 15 to 134 locations while establishing a culture of operational excellence and delivering consistently high performance across the organization.
He also serves as chair of the Planet Fitness Independent Franchisee Council’s Member Experience Committee, where he collaborates with franchisees and the Planet Fitness Club Support Center to advance innovation and continuously elevate the member experience across the system.
“On behalf of the Board, I’m thrilled to congratulate Joe on his appointment as IGNITE’s next Chief Executive Officer,” said Cathy Stauffer, the chair of the board of IGNITE Fitness Holdings. “Joe’s track record of operational excellence, deep understanding of the Planet Fitness brand, and his authentic care for our people and culture make him uniquely qualified to lead IGNITE into its next phase of growth and success.”
“I am deeply honored to step into this role and continue building on IGNITE’s strong foundation,” said Pepe, Jr. “Our growth and success are powered by an extraordinary team whose passion for helping members live healthier lives inspires me every day. Together, we will continue to innovate and expand our reach to even more communities across North America.”
Ryan Berk, who has served as CEO since February 2022, is stepping down to pursue other opportunities.
“We’re grateful to Ryan for his leadership and many contributions during his tenure as CEO,” added Stauffer. “Under his direction, IGNITE navigated a period of important growth and transformation, strengthened its leadership team, and continued to build on its strong partnership with the Planet Fitness CSC. We thank Ryan for his dedication and impact, and we wish him every success in his next chapter.”
