Our annual Franchise Forecast aims to provide a look into some of the popular franchising options around the industry. With a mixture of well-known names, unique concepts and mission-driven brands, franchising has become more about finding the right partner for you.
Below, you can read each franchise’s keys to success, support systems for franchisees and ambitions for the future. Opportunity is knocking, and this forecast could be your gateway into the industry.
Crunch Fitness
From Jenna Kline, the PR manager at Crunch Fitness.
Can you provide a brief history and background of Crunch Fitness?
Crunch started as a single basement studio and grew into a fitness empire with two million members worldwide, entered the extremely competitive and crowded gym franchise space in 2010, is the fastest growing gym franchise in the country, and is the leader in the high-value, low-price category. We have plans to hit the 500-gym milestone in 2024.
What are your keys to success?
Crunch is a gym for all. Our mission and philosophy help us create a community for everyone, regardless of shape, size, age, race, gender or fitness level. “No Judgments” is more than just a tagline — it’s in our DNA.
What kind of training and support does Crunch offer to new franchisees?
We provide a PR Playbook for guidance as well as a complimentary press release on the opening and more. Utilizing the Crunch Connect learning management system, franchisees can also access e-learning content and register for live webinars and workshops. The community aspect allows them to connect and collaborate with other employees around the country. All trainings tie back to our culture of fun and make fitness and learning entertaining and memorable.
What are the KPIs for measuring success?
The best franchise operators take advantage of our community to ask questions, share what’s working, what isn’t and more. We set up each of our franchise operators for success and support them daily. The best franchise operators are the ones who take the tools we have provided them and implement them in their businesses every day.
Where are you looking to expand?
We’re seeing advanced technology becoming more integrated into the gym experience and how members interact with Crunch locations. Recently, we focused on creating a safer, more secure and reliable entry into gyms by incorporating palm-based entry for all members, supported by Amazon One. Crunch is the first gym to enable such a tactic. We believe such technological advancements will continue to change and improve the ways we think of the typical gym experience.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know?
Crunch sets itself apart from the competition and the proof is in the data. According to a new member survey we conducted, findings reported 46% have made new friends or found a community at Crunch that makes working out more fun and helps them achieve their goals. Plus, 74% agree their Crunch gym makes fitness fun.
Contact information for potential franchisees?
Email John Merrion, the director of sales at Crunch Franchise, at john.merrion@crunch.com.
UFC GYM
By Ryan Utsman, the vice president of franchise development at UFC GYM.
What are your keys to success?
For us, it’s been staying true to our trade. We have a different philosophy that really focuses on coaches and classes. Coaches help our DNA and get people the results they want. Our instructors help build community and culture.
We have a full scope of youth classes and programming where parents can bring their kids to get the benefits of health and wellness. They improve both physical and mental health and grow in courage and confidence which are all great things that come with taking workout classes while their parents are also exercising. Keeping the ability to do all those under one roof has continued to set the standard.
The last piece is we’re very innovative and ensure we stay on top of trends. We’ve added recovery centers and heart rate technology to our facilities, which have been popular in the boutique space. We’ve also introduced a virtual program called BOX HIIT LIVE. When consumers tell us something is important to them, it’s crucial for us as an organization to bring those offerings to the table.
What kind of training and support does UFC GYM offer to new franchisees?
We keep it extensive and go above and beyond for every new franchisee. They attend a Management Institute course covering all aspects of running a successful facility including sales, fitness operations, marketing, site selection, compliance and more. We have yearly site visits to improve and distinguish ourselves in the community. Additionally, we have monthly franchise communications calls, global sales and operations calls, programming and fitness focus calls, vendor calls for education and questions, and a consulting division to help with navigating their business.
Where are you looking to expand?
Currently, we’re growing in 40 countries with more on the horizon this year. We’re expanding into various regions like North Africa, including Morocco and Egypt, and South America, with countries like Chile, Bolivia and Brazil with Brazilian Jujitsu. In South America, there are many countries we’re excited to enter over the next five years. We’re also growing in Mexico and considering other countries in Central America like Panama. Our goal is to become the first true global fitness brand, leveraging the international success and fan base of UFC, which resonates with people worldwide.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know?
UFC GYM isn’t a gym for fighters to train. We’re for the average person looking to maximize their human potential and get to their goals beyond their expectations. We deliver that because of our energy, ambiance and environment to help people achieve their goals.
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 ufcgymfranchise.com.
YogaSix
From Lindsay Junk, the president of YogaSix.
Can you provide a brief history and background of YogaSix?
The original YogaSix opened under the name Haute Yoga in 2012 in the San Diego, California, area and expanded to 13 studios across the country. Xponential acquired YogaSix in 2018 with the intent to franchise.
We immediately put our process and platform in place and started selling licenses. We were quickly one of the fastest-selling fitness franchises as yoga is so universally understood and appreciated. We opened our first franchise location in 2019 and have now become the largest franchised provider of yoga in the world with over 200 locations.
What are your keys to success?
We stay true to our brand which is to be inclusive and accessible to all. We strive to take the intimidating part of yoga away and allow everyone to feel comfortable practicing in our studios by offering a more modern approach to the ancient practice. Our goal is to make the hour our members decide to spend with us the best hour of their day. We’re also focused on keeping things as simple and duplicatable as possible which is extremely important.
What kind of training and support does YogaSix offer to new franchisees?
We provide support during every critical juncture of the process from the minute a franchise owner signs their franchise agreement — which includes site selection, lease negotiation and studio development — to sales and marketing support, and training of the staff including instructors.
We offer ongoing support in every area of the business once the studio is open to create a sustainable business. We have weekly training available for all positions, and we have a very robust learning management system that houses courses available on-demand for our owners and their teams.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know?
Our studios are for everyone from the newcomer to the experienced practitioner. Our instructors are trained to teach across all levels. Our classes are fun but are also a great workout and a great opportunity to mentally check out and destress.
Where are you looking to expand?
Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Jacksonville, Florida; Birmingham, Alabama; Omaha, Nebraska; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Charleston, South Carolina; Providence, Rhode Island; Fairfield County, Connecticut; Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, New York; and Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Contact information for potential franchisees?
Email salesinfo@xponential.com or visit yogasix.com/franchise.
Workout Anytime
From Greg Maurer, the vice president of fitness and education, and Terri Harof, the director of franchise development.
Can you provide a brief history and background of Workout Anytime?
GM: The model started with our two leaders, John Quattrocchi and Steve Strickland. They met years ago when Steve was in equipment sales and their first club was built as a showroom for equipment, but everyone wanted to join as members. John’s expertise was really on that side of the house. He’s been part of major brands for a long time in sales and was successful. The first club was a lot smaller and is still a location today.
The membership model has evolved quite a bit. It’s our 25th anniversary this year and we’ve expanded from being a southeast brand although most of our clubs are in the Atlanta, Georgia, vicinity. Now we have clubs in North Carolina, Maine, Texas, California, New Jersey and many other places.
What are your keys to success?
TH: When a franchisee comes on board, my job is to ensure they get all the information they need to make a great decision. It’s a process and we do a complete pre-screening. We give them a list of other franchisees we want them to talk to because they’re people doing the same thing. There’s also in-person training.
The other thing we do is focus on location. We have to do our due diligence to make sure where the franchisee is going to open makes sense both within the greater territory and the specific location of the facility. I do site visits, and we have a tremendous amount of information so we’re able to gather all different areas to look at competition, demographics, growth possibility and more.
What kind of training and support does Workout Anytime offer to new franchisees?
GM: The process starts with 20 hours of online content curated by the experts on our team. It’s pretty extensive. We understand they won’t remember all of it, but some of it will stick and they have that frame. They’ll also have weekly calls with our various teams who will check up on them and help with wherever they are in the process.
Then, we have a three-day training event that focuses on three things: how to get your club open in the shortest time possible, how to have an amazing presale, and how to recruit all-star employees and managers. Our conference is also a huge educational opportunity for the brand.
We also have one-day academies that happen at the Franchise Support Center and in the field. For staff, we have a Membership Sales Academy for frontline and personal training staff.
Where are you looking to expand?
GM: There’s so much opportunity for us. We’d like to do more expansion outside of the Southeast and especially out West and the Midwest in states like Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Our goal is to make sure the locations we open are highly successful. We’re downhome people, and our sweet spots will be places with small towns.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know?
GM: Our key to business and what you’re buying is education. Marketing is also a huge pillar, and we’re investing more in marketing because it’s never been more complex than in this day and age.
Contact information for potential franchisees?
Contact Terri Harof by phone at 404.786.7410, email her at terri.harof@workoutanytime.com or visit workoutanytime.com.
Body Fit Training
By Duncan Cork, the president of Body Fit Training (BFT).
Can you provide a brief history and background of BFT?
BFT was founded in 2017 in Melbourne, Australia, by fitness industry and sports conditioning expert, Cameron Falloon. BFT offers a community-based, 50-minute group strength and functional training program across 14 workouts. The expansion of BFT grew across Asia-Pacific initially. With just two studios open in the U.S., Xponential acquired BFT to expand the concept across North America in 2021.
To fuel rapid expansion, we immediately put the Xponential process and platform in place. We opened 30-plus locations in 2023 and have an exciting 2024 ahead of us.
What are your keys to success?
We stay true to our brand which is to deliver science and technology-based group strength and conditioning training to drive individual member health goals in an inclusive, coach-led group environment. We deliver this using progressive programming based on an eight-week format that combines cardio with resistance programs where members benefit from training a different energy system and muscle types every day to diversify movement patterns that aim to reduce fat and create lean muscle.
We’re also focused on keeping things as simple and duplicatable as possible, which is extremely important in franchising.
What kind of training and support does BFT offer to new franchisees?
We provide support during every critical juncture of the process from the minute a franchise owner signs their franchise agreement — which includes site selection, lease negotiation and studio development — to sales and marketing support, and training of the staff including instructors.
We offer ongoing support in every area of the business once the studio is open to create a sustainable business. We have weekly training available for all positions, and we have a very robust learning management system that houses courses available on-demand for our owners and their teams.
What are the KPIs for measuring success?
At the corporate level, we measure our openings — member count as the core KPI, system-wide sales, and average unit volume or the average revenue a BFT studio does annually. At the studio level, we measure lead volume and mix of sources, lead to first visit conversion, first visit to membership conversion, average membership sale, attrition, and attendance by class.
Where are you looking to expand?
Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Memphis, Tennessee; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Portland, Oregon; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York; New Jersey; Connecticut; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Des Moines, Iowa; and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know?
Our studios are for everyone, from the newcomer to the experienced practitioner. Our teachers are trained to teach across all levels. Our classes are fun but are also a great workout and a great opportunity to mentally check out and destress.
Contact information for potential franchisees?
Email salesinfo@xponential.com or visit bodyfittraining.com/franchise.
Planet Fitness
by a Planet Fitness spokesperson.
Can you provide a brief history and background of Planet Fitness?
Planet Fitness was founded in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire, and the first Planet Fitness franchise opened in Florida in 2003. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2015 and is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations.
As of December 31, 2023, Planet Fitness had approximately 18.7 million members and 2,575 stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent businessmen and women.
What are your keys to success?
Planet Fitness’ 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. To make this a reality, the company provides an affordable, accessible fitness solution for both regular and first-time gym-goers.
What kind of training and support does Planet Fitness offer to new franchisees?
Planet Fitness provides franchisees with operational support, marketing materials and training resources. We continue to update and expand Planet Fitness University, a comprehensive training resource to help franchisees operate successful stores. Courses are delivered online, and content focuses on customer service, operational policies, brand standards, cleanliness, security awareness, crisis management and vendor product information.
We believe spending quality time with our franchisees in person is an important opportunity to further strengthen our relationships and share best practices. We have dedicated operations and marketing teams that are hands-on. We often attend franchisees’ presales and grand openings, and we host franchisee meetings every other year known as PF Huddles.
What are the KPIs for measuring success?
The key measures for determining how our business is performing include total monthly dues and annual fees from members — which we refer to as system-wide sales — the number of new store openings, same-store sales for both corporate-owned and franchisee-owned stores, average royalty fee percentages for franchisee-owned stores, and monthly PF Black Card membership penetration percentage.
Where are you looking to expand?
We’re just getting started on our international growth plans. Beyond the U.S., we have a presence in Canada, Australia, Mexico and Panama. We also announced we’re entering Spain and expect to open a store there by the end of 2024. Only 10% of the population in Spain currently has a gym membership, and we believe we have an opportunity to expand our brand and help democratize fitness in the country. 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 judgment-free environment.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know?
Planet Fitness had approximately 18.7 million members and 2,575 stores as of December 31, 2023. Based on third-party research the company has conducted, we now believe we can have up to 5,000 gyms in the U.S. — up from the 4,000 locations predicted at the time of the IPO in 2015. 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.
Contact information for potential franchisees?
Please visit planetfitness.com/franchising/become-a-franchisee to learn more.
Orangetheory Fitness
From Rich Armstrong, the chief development officer of Orangetheory Fitness.
Can you provide a brief history and background of Orangetheory Fitness?
Orangetheory Fitness was founded in 2010 by Ellen Latham alongside co-founders Jerome Kern and David Long, our current CEO. Since then, we’ve grown to become a leader in the fitness industry. Our unique blend of heart rate-based interval training and science-backed technology has propelled us from a single studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to a global community spanning more than 1,500 studios worldwide.
At the heart of our workout is a scientifically designed, one-hour session that fuels your body to burn calories more efficiently and improve your overall fitness. It’s not just about the workouts; it’s about fostering a supportive community that empowers our members to live a longer, more vibrant life.
What are your keys to success?
The foundation of our success is deeply rooted in our workouts — which are designed to maximize efficiency and results — and our expert coaching. Our approach is uniquely personalized, utilizing connected technology and our proprietary max HR algorithm to ensure each member’s in-studio experience is tailored to their individual needs. In addition, our dedicated community inspires and supports our members toward achieving their fitness goals. It’s the perfect recipe for a memorable, impactful fitness experience.
For background, Orangetheory’s fitness design team continually explores new workouts and fitness programs that are informed by scientific research and anonymized member data. This ensures every studio’s offerings are always engaging and impactful. By responding to our community’s collective insights, we’re also able to innovate and offer new programming. For example, this has led to the development of Strength 50 and Tread 50 classes which offer strength and endurance training that complements our existing Orange 60 workout and offers our members a truly well-rounded suite of offerings.
This fitness design process is especially impactful for franchisees as it allows each local studio to combine Orangetheory’s signature fitness experience with their local coaching and community engagement. It’s the ideal balance of consistency — offering the product Orangetheory is known for across the globe while combining it with a more intimate, local experience.
What kind of training and support does Orangetheory Fitness offer to new franchisees?
Our size and expertise allows us to provide new Orangetheory franchisees with training and support that is unmatched in the fitness industry. New franchisees and their teams participate in robust multi-day programs including orientation, presales training and studio launch training. We provide refresher classes and other updates periodically.
Franchisees are also supported by a dedicated team of operations, fitness, marketing, technology and development associates.
What are the KPIs for measuring success in an Orangetheory Fitness franchise?
The goal of our brand is to bring fitness and wellness to as many members as possible. As such, we focus on the engagement and satisfaction of our members. We measure this through member surveys, but we also independently review each studio to ensure we are delivering the best fitness product in a welcoming environment with warm and motivating coaches and staff.
Where is Orangetheory Fitness looking to expand?
All over. Domestically, we’ve identified hundreds of additional trade areas that are ripe for new Orangetheory studios, and we plan to double our current U.S. studios in the coming years. Internationally, we’re just getting started and looking to penetrate new markets and deepen our presence in existing ones. Notably, the brand is focusing on deepening its presence in the United Kingdom and Spain, recognizing these areas as significant growth opportunities within Europe.
Is there anything else you’d like people in the industry to know?
At Orangetheory, we’re deeply committed to enhancing and expanding our presence through strategic franchise growth, seamless technology integration and providing unparalleled customer experiences across all studios — and we each make it our personal mission to ensure this vision becomes a reality.
All of our teams are driven by the guiding principle, “be the reason it works,” because it’s truly a team effort. This mantra underscores our collective dedication to Orangetheory’s mission of providing more life for our members. It’s the foundation of everything we do, and this commitment to excellence and community continues to propel us forward.
Can you please provide contact information for potential franchisees?
Email Parrish Lamb, the vice president of franchise sales, at plamb@orangetheory.com or Tyler Gillikin, the lead specialist, at tgillikin@orangetheory.com.
