Crunch Fitness announced the appointment of Chequan Lewis as CEO, effective immediately. Lewis succeeds Jim Rowley, who has transitioned to executive chairman. The leadership transition was announced at the opening of the company’s 2026 Global Franchise Convention in San Antonio, the largest gathering in Crunch’s history.
Since joining Crunch as president, Lewis has worked alongside Rowley to help lead one of the company’s most successful periods, driving significant unit growth, improving operational performance and fueling innovation across the brand. Together, they’ve helped expand Crunch into a $1.5 billion systemwide enterprise with more than 550 locations serving 3.5 million members worldwide.
As CEO, Lewis will lead the company, overseeing day-to-day operations, member-experience innovations, and branding and marketing. He will also shape and execute Crunch’s ambitious long-term growth strategy. His appointment marks a significant milestone in Crunch’s journey, reflecting the evolution of a leadership partnership between Lewis and Rowley, who work closely to drive franchise success, strengthen operations and expand the brand’s global footprint.
“Crunch has never been stronger, and that strength reflects years of close collaboration with Jim, our franchise partners, and our teams across the brand, who have built something special over time,” said Lewis. “I’m honored to step into the CEO role and continue that partnership, building on the foundation we’ve created together. As we enter this next chapter, our focus remains clear: to support our franchise network, invest in innovation, and grow the Crunch community in a disciplined way while staying true to the culture, values, and ‘No Judgments, No Limits’ experience that define this brand.”
Rowley will remain actively involved in the business as executive chairman, focusing on the company’s vision, long-term strategy and overall performance. Since joining Crunch in 2009, Rowley has helped guide the company through a transformative period of accelerated expansion, international growth, increased membership, and the recent strategic investment from Leonard Green & Partners.
“Crunch is on a mission, and it takes thousands of dedicated people across our system to bring that mission to life every day,” said Rowley. “Chequan and I have built a close, trusted partnership, which gives me real confidence in his leadership as he steps into the CEO role. I’m excited to move into a role focused on strategy, results, and performance — helping guide our current priorities and future plans that will shape the next phase of Crunch’s growth.”
