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Posted by on December 3, 2023 — Updated on February 22, 2025
Read these pros and cons of owning a franchise gym before you decide to start a gym franchise.
Owning a franchise gym involves operating under a well-known brand, bringing its own set of unique advantages and challenges. As a franchise owner, you benefit from brand recognition and established business models, but also face constraints in terms of creativity and autonomy. Tools like Exercise.com can help franchise gym owners streamline their operations, adhering to franchise standards while maximizing efficiency and member satisfaction.
Leveraging a gym management system like Exercise.com can help franchise gym owners navigate some of these challenges. It can ensure smooth operation within the constraints of the franchise model, from member management to compliance with franchisor reporting requirements, all while enhancing the member experience.
Read the below pros and cons to starting a franchise gym, and then learn how to increase gym revenue and profit with powerful software from Exercise.com. Finding the right software is key for running a successful gym.
Learn the things you should know before opening a gym and then see why Exercise.com is the overall best gym management software, the best boutique fitness studio software, the best sports performance gym software, and more.
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Exercise.com, with its comprehensive gym management software, can help alleviate many of these cons. From simplifying operational tasks to providing innovative technological solutions, it aids gym owners in focusing more on the pros of their business. By managing bookings, member retention strategies, and providing robust reporting tools, Exercise.com supports gym owners in navigating the complexities of the fitness business landscape.
Here’s just some of what you can do on the Exercise.com platform:
Process payments for open gym, classes, and personal training.
Create gym landing pages easily.
Manage fitness challenges (Read More: 100+ Fitness Challenge Ideas)
Manage clients and gym members with ease.
Book appointments for parents and dependents with ease. (Read More: Best Gym Booking Software)
Gym check-in software that makes your life easy. (Read More: Best Gym Check-In Software)
Communicate with gym members, athletes, team members, personal training clients, class members, parents, and dependents via SMS, email, and in-app push notification.
Disadvantages of a gym franchise include high initial franchise fees, ongoing royalty payments, less freedom in business decisions, and strict adherence to the franchisor’s rules and systems. Franchisees may also face competition with other franchise locations.
Franchising a gym can be worth it for those seeking to leverage a recognized brand and proven business model. However, the decision depends on individual goals, the level of support desired, and financial considerations.
Yes, you can make money owning a gym franchise. Success depends on location, the franchise’s brand strength, effective management, and the ability to retain and grow membership.
The failure rate of gym franchises is generally lower than that of independent gym startups, due to established brand recognition and support. However, like any business, success is not guaranteed and depends on various factors.
Opening a gym can be risky, as it requires significant investment and faces challenges like competition, fluctuating memberships, and evolving fitness trends. Effective planning and management can mitigate these risks.
Read More: Is opening a gym risky?
The most common exercise franchise meaning refers to a fitness business model where a gym, boutique studio, or fitness center operates under a larger, established brand name. Franchise gym owners pay an initial franchise fee and ongoing royalty fees in exchange for brand recognition, operational support, and marketing assistance. Examples include Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and Crunch Fitness.
Yes, owning a fitness franchise can be profitable for a first-time owner, but success depends on factors like location, initial investment, and business management skills. While many gym franchises offer support, owners must still handle staffing, member retention, and financial planning. Using Exercise.com for gym management software helps franchise owners streamline operations and maximize profitability.
A corporate gym is owned and operated by the parent company, which controls all locations, policies, and hiring. A franchise gym is independently owned by an individual or group that pays a franchise fee to use the brand name, business model, and resources. Examples of corporate gyms include LA Fitness, while franchise gyms like Anytime Fitness or Planet Fitness are owned by local operators.
Owning a gym franchise can be profitable in the first year, but many new franchisees take longer to see a return on investment due to startup costs, marketing expenses, and the time needed to build a loyal membership base. Profitability depends on location, operational efficiency, and membership retention strategies.
Not all gym franchises are profitable every year. While successful fitness franchises generate consistent revenue through membership fees, profitability varies due to economic conditions, competition, and operational costs. Owners who invest in effective gym management software like Exercise.com can increase profitability by optimizing billing, scheduling, and member engagement.
Buying a gym franchise can be easier than opening a new gym from scratch because franchise owners receive branding, marketing, and operational support. However, franchises come with franchise fees, ongoing royalties, and strict guidelines. Opening an independent gym allows for greater flexibility but requires building brand recognition and business processes from the ground up.
An exercise franchise is a licensed business model where individuals or investors own and operate a fitness center, boutique studio, or gym under an established brand name. In exchange for franchise fees, owners gain access to the company’s branding, training, and operational support. Examples include Crunch Fitness, Planet Fitness, and Hotworx Franchise.
Yes, most gym franchise owners need to hire their own management team unless they plan to be hands-on operators. Franchise gyms often require general managers, sales staff, and personal trainers to maintain daily operations, customer service, and member engagement.
The cost to open a gym franchise varies widely, ranging from $50,000 to over $1 million, depending on the brand, location, and gym size. For example:
The Anytime Fitness franchise cost ranges from $381,575 to $783,897, including the initial franchise fee of $42,500. Additional costs cover real estate, equipment, and marketing.
While Anytime Fitness has one of the lower franchise failure rates, success still depends on location, management, and market conditions. Researching franchise gyms for sale and analyzing local competition can help new owners make informed decisions.
You can find gym franchises for sale on franchise broker websites, fitness industry directories, and the official websites of franchises like Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and Crunch Fitness. It’s also helpful to connect with franchise consultants and explore online marketplaces listing fitness franchises for sale.
For experienced fitness professionals, owning a fitness franchise can provide brand recognition and business support but may also come with high fees and operational restrictions. Independent gym ownership offers more freedom but requires greater effort in branding and marketing.
Opening a fitness franchise can be worthwhile but requires hard work. Franchise owners must market their gym, hire staff, retain members, and manage finances. The built-in support system makes it easier than starting a gym from scratch, but long-term success depends on business execution.
Owning a fitness franchise is not truly passive income unless an owner hires a full management team to run daily operations. Most gym franchise owners are actively involved in membership sales, staffing, and community engagement.
You can find fitness franchise opportunities by researching on franchise directories, industry trade shows, and the websites of top franchise brands like Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness, and Hotworx Franchise.
The gym franchise owner salary varies widely based on membership size and operational efficiency. Profitable franchise owners can earn $50,000 to $200,000+ per year, but startup costs and loan payments may impact early earnings.
The best fitness franchises include:
For franchise owners looking for gym software solutions, Exercise.com provides all-in-one gym management software to streamline operations and maximize profitability.
The biggest issue with gyms often involves maintaining a steady stream of members and standing out in a competitive market. Additionally, gyms must continuously invest in equipment and facilities to keep members engaged.
A gym may take several years to become profitable, typically 2-3 years. This timeframe can vary based on factors like location, gym size, and effective management strategies.
The income of gym owners varies widely. Some owners of small gyms may earn a modest income, while owners of larger or multiple gym locations can earn a significant profit.
Read More: How much do gym owners make?
The average profit from owning a gym varies greatly, but can range from $1,000 to $10,000 per month for small to medium-sized gyms. Large or franchised gyms can earn much more.
Read More: Most Profitable Fitness Business Models
Starting a gym franchise typically requires a significant investment, often ranging from $100,000 to over $1 million, depending on the franchise brand and location specifics.
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To open an independent gym, investment can range from $50,000 for a basic setup to over $1 million for a larger, more equipped facility. Costs include equipment, location lease, and operating expenses.
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The number of members required for a gym to be successful varies, but a mid-sized gym typically needs 300-500 active members to remain profitable.
Read More: How many members does the average gym have?
The hardest part of owning a gym is often attracting and retaining members, managing finances effectively, and staying competitive in a rapidly changing fitness industry.
Read More: What do gym owners struggle with?
Disadvantages of a gym business include high startup and operational costs, the need for continuous equipment upgrades, and challenges in member retention and differentiation in a competitive market.
Read More: Common Gym Owner Problems and Solutions
Many gym owners fail due to poor financial management, lack of market research, inadequate business planning, and underestimating the competitive nature of the fitness industry.
Read More: Reasons Gyms Fail
Exercise.com can help run a gym business by offering comprehensive gym management software. This includes features like membership management, workout and nutrition programming, scheduling, billing, and reporting. The platform’s ability to streamline operations, coupled with its marketing and engagement tools, makes it an invaluable asset for gym owners looking to grow their business and improve member satisfaction.
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Tyler Spraul