Anyone in the health and wellness world can tell you that franchising is driving a large part of the growth of this industry.
The fitness trend continues with no end in sight and with more people joining and keeping memberships than even before.
The global fitness industry now has more than 174 million members, and the fitness, nutrition and weight loss industry now exceeds US$86 billion (AU$118 billion).
Many of the established franchisors have become more sophisticated and better able to support their franchisees during the past several years, which has made entering the fitness market more attractive to entrepreneurs outside the fitness world. But it also has made becoming a franchisee attractive to fitness professionals who have the desire to own their own business.
Which franchise is right for you depends on what you are looking for, and whilst there are already around 30 fitness franchises to choose from in Australia, our job is to keep you informed on what’s happening in the global fitness community so you get the bigger picture and perhaps even spot an opportunity that you previously did not.
Here we list 8 USA based fitness franchises that you may never even have heard of that you could see on Australian shores in the not too distant future.
1. THE ZOO HEALTH CLUB
DESCRIPTION OF BRAND
The Zoo Health Club is trendy and offers a great fitness franchise opportunity. Everyone has a favourite Zoo. For some, it’s the famous Bronx Zoo in New York or the San Diego Zoo in California; for others, it’s a small, nearby municipal zoo. Regardless, a zoo is a special place to which people love to return time and time again. Such is the appeal of the Zoo Health Club. Members love to return time and time again to its clean facilities, helpful staff, immaculate equipment and friendly environment. With its beginnings in Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, in the 1970s, it has taken on a personality of its own and has become a top health club franchise.
SNAPSHOT:
- Founding date of company: 2008
- Year company started franchising: 2008
- Number of corporate-owned locations: 0
- Number of franchised locations: 31
FRANCHISEE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Initial Franchisee Investment: US$150,000 (AU$206,300)
- Franchisee Net Worth Requirement: US$400,000 (AU$550,000)
- Franchisee Liquid Cash Requirement: US$150,000 (AU$206,300)
- Initial Franchisee Fee: US$14,999 (AU$20,600)
- Ongoing Franchisee Royalty Fee: 5%
- Typical size of locations: 11,000 – 14,000 square feet
- Are master franchise agreements available? Yes
WHERE IS THE ZOO BRAND HEADED IN THE FUTURE?
The fitness trend continues with no end in sight and with more people joining and keeping memberships than even before. The fitness industry now has more than 41.3 million members, and the fitness, nutrition and weight loss industry now exceeds US$44 billion. The Zoo Health Club franchise is poised to keep up and continue its long-term growth.
CONTACT
For potential franchisees contact Judy Scott at judy@zoogym.com.
2. OMNI FIGHT CLUB
Omni Fight Club (OFC) was born in Athens, Georgia, in May 2005, starting as a small studio within a larger club. Since then, OFC has worked with industry-leading designers and developers from architecture to equipment and programming to develop a cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind experience.
DESCRIPTION OF BRAND
Kickboxing and strength-training studio focused on high-level engaging member experience. The brand offers a fun, challenging workout following a circuit guided by a proprietary music system providing all timing and transition queuing. Omni is a community-centric company with a focus on giving back and supporting local schools, first responders and military. As a franchisor, Omni Fight Club is dedicated to serving and supporting its franchisees with industry-leading training, education and technology.
SNAPSHOT
- Founding date of company: 2005
- Year company started franchising: 2016
- Number of corporate-owned locations: 0
- Number of franchised locations: 6
FRANCHISEE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Initial Franchisee Investment: US$250,000 – US$500,000 (AU$343,800 – AU$687,600)
• Franchisee Net Worth Requirement: US$100,000 (AU$137,500)
• Franchisee Liquid Cash Requirement: US$20,000 (AU$27,500)
• Initial Franchisee Fee: US$30,000 (AU$41,250)
• Ongoing Franchisee Royalty Fee: 5% of gross revenue
• Typical size of locations: 2,300 – 5,000 square feet
• Are master franchise agreements available? Yes
CONTACT
For potential franchisees contact Dennis Dumas at info@omnifightclub.com.
3. EAT THE FROG FITNESS
DESCRIPTION OF BRAND
Eat The Frog Fitness is an affordable, science-based small-group training program that offers a winning combination of personalised training plans, world-class athletic training methods and technology to create a safe and effective workout experience for all fitness levels.
SNAPSHOT
- Founding date of company: 2016
- Year company started franchising: 2017
- Number of corporate-owned locations: 2
- Number of franchised locations: 2
FRANCHISEE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Initial Franchisee Investment: US$429,000 – US$636,000 (AU$590,000 – AU$874,500)
- Franchisee Net Worth Requirement: US$300,000 (AU$412,500)
- Franchisee Liquid Cash Requirement: US$150,000 (AU$206,300)
- Initial Franchisee Fee: US$39,000 (AU$53,600)
- Ongoing Franchisee Royalty Fee: 7% and 1% national ad fund
- Typical size of locations: 3,000
- Are master franchise agreements available? Yes
CONTACT For potential franchisees contact Jesse Curry at jesse@erffitness.com.
4. MAYWEATHER BOXING + FITNESS
DESCRIPTION OF BRAND
Founded in 2018, Mayweather Boxing + Fitness is a best-in-class fitness experience modelled after the techniques and routines of the most dominant boxer of all time, Floyd Mayweather. Now available for franchising opportunities, the concept combines group fitness featuring Floyd’s most effective functional training and boxing techniques along with state-of-the-art technology for a fully immersive, empowering and effective workout every time. Mayweather Boxing + Fitness offers an opportunity to turn a passion for fitness into a reality or to own a business with a structured model and support system, all under the banner of the biggest name in boxing. Mayweather Boxing + Fitness is creating a global franchise brand that builds champions.
SNAPSHOT
- Founding date of company: 2018
- Year company started franchising: 2018
- Number of corporate-owned locations: 1 (flagship location)
- Number of franchised locations: 0
FRANCHISEE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Initial Franchisee Investment: US$200,000 – US$500,000 (AU$275,000 – AU$550,000) or convert existing studio for as little as US$70,000 (AU$96,300).
- Franchisee Net Worth Requirement: NA
- Franchisee Liquid Cash Requirement: NA
- Initial Franchisee Fee: US$25,000 (AU$34,400)
- Ongoing Franchisee Royalty Fee: 6% monthly gross revenue
- Typical size of locations: 2,000 – 4,000 square feet
- Are master franchise agreements available? No, but multi-unit franchise deals are available.
CONTACT
For potential franchisees contact Don Michael at franchise@mayweather.fit.
5. HONOR YOGA
DESCRIPTION OF BRAND
We have a brand mission to be the most well-respected and accessible yoga community. We meet this mission by creating beginner-friendly yoga and meditation studios where all levels of yogi from the beginner to the seasoned practitioner are provided a place for their practice journey. We see yoga as more than a physical practice, and our studios provide service and support to reflect what we call the five pillars of yoga: physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual.
SNAPSHOT
- Founding date of company: 2013
- Year company started franchising: 2017
- Number of corporate-owned locations: 2
- Number of franchised locations: 21
FRANCHISEE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Initial Franchisee Investment: US$146,000 – US$270,000 (AU$200,800 – AU$371,300)
- Franchisee Net Worth Requirement: US$300,00 (AU$412,500)
- Franchisee Liquid Cash Requirement: US$50,000 (AU$)
- Initial Franchisee Fee: US$50,000 (AU$68,800)
- Ongoing Franchisee Royalty Fee: 7%
- Typical size of locations: 3,000 square foot minimum two studio room model
- Are master franchise agreements available? Yes
CONTACT
For potential franchisees contact Maria Turco at franchise@honoryoga.com.
6. FITNESS TOGETHER
DESCRIPTION OF BRAND
Fitness Together is the premier, private-suite personal training studio offering clients a custom fitness and nutrition experience. Unlike other fitness concepts, Fitness Together targets a specific niche of upscale clientele with a strong need, not just a desire, for the service we provide.
The simple model is backed by a franchise system with a 20-plus year track record of marketing and operations support. There are tens of thousands of gyms and health clubs out there. This is not one of them. We are truly changing lives by helping people set and stick to their fitness and health goals.
SNAPSHOT
- Founding date of company: 1984
- Year company started franchising: 1996
- Number of corporate-owned locations: 0
- Number of franchised locations: 143
FRANCHISEE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Initial Franchisee Investment: US$147,000 – US$193,400 (AU$202,100 – AU$266,000)
- Franchisee Net Worth Requirement: US$175,000 (AU$240,600)
- Franchisee Liquid Cash Requirement: US$80,000 (AU$110,000)
- Initial Franchisee Fee: US$39,900 (AU$54,900)
- Ongoing Franchisee Royalty Fee: 6%
- Typical size of locations: Average is 1,800 square feet (Can range from 1,200 – 2,000 square feet)
- Are master franchise agreements available? Yes
CONTACT
For potential franchisees contact Lauren Wanamaker at info@fitnesstogether.com.
7. BLINK FITNESS
DESCRIPTION OF BRAND
Founded in 2011, Blink Fitness is a premium-quality, value-based fitness brand with more than 90 locations open or in development throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California and with franchise deals signed in Massachusetts, Virginia, Upstate New York, Georgia, Michigan and Illinois. Blink Fitness puts Mood Above Muscle, which celebrates the positive feeling you get from exercise, not just the physical benefits. Each gym employs the company’s signature Feel Good Experience that highlights enthusiastic staff members, a clean environment and open, spacious and colourful
design, energising music and fitness training that is motivating and affordable.
SNAPSHOT
- Founding date of company: 2011
- Year company started franchising: 2015
- Number of corporate-owned locations: 69
- Number of franchised locations: 1
FRANCHISEE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Initial Franchisee Investment: US$636,800- US$2,090,288 (AU$875,700 – AU$2,874,355)
- Franchisee Net Worth Requirement: US$1,500,000 (AU$2,062,600)
- Franchisee Liquid Cash Requirement: US$300,000 per gym (AU$412,500)
- Initial Franchisee Fee: US$40,000 (AU$55,000)
- Ongoing Franchisee Royalty Fee: 5% of gross sales
- Typical size of locations: 12,000 – 18,000 square feet
- Are master franchise agreements available? No
CONTACT
For potential franchisees contact Patricia Perry at patricia.perry@blinkfitness.com.
8. BLITZ 45 FITNESS
DESCRIPTION OF BRAND
Blitz45 was born as a stand-alone functional training studio from the success of offering functional training in our Zoo Health Club franchise. As the fitness industry evolves, the boutique-style group functional training classes have exploded. With the first two Blitz45 functional training studios opening in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, area, things have gotten exciting with franchise inquiries coming in from all over the country. The purpose and mission of Blitz45 are to create a team-based approach. A functional training facility that applies the three keys to fitness: mindset, motivation, results. Every workout is a new and fun experience that produces great results
SNAPSHOT
- Founding date of company: 2018
- Year company started franchising: 2018
- Number of corporate-owned locations: 0 (new)
- Number of franchised locations: 0 (new)
FRANCHISEE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Initial Franchisee Investment: US$75,000 (AU$103,100)
- Franchisee Net Worth Requirement: US$200,000 (AU$278,000)
- Franchisee Liquid Cash Requirement: US$75,000 (AU$103,100)
- Initial Franchisee Fee: US$14,999 (AU$20,600)
- Ongoing Franchisee Royalty Fee: US$500 per month (AU$688)
- Typical size of locations: 2,500 – 3,000 square feet
- Are master franchise agreements available? Yes
CONTACT
For potential franchisees contact Judy Scott at judy@blitz45fitness.com.
[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” class=”” width=””]Australian Fitness Franchise Guide:
The What’s New in Fitness Suppliers Guide includes a Fitness Franchise category with over 25 gym, fitness and personal training franchise opportunties available here in Australia – check it out.[/box]