They Could Grow Faster, but These Fitness Franchises Say Staying in Operational Shape Is More Important
Fitness franchises prioritize operator support over rapid growth to enhance unit economics.
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Emerging fitness franchises such as ISI Elite Training and Pvolve are focusing on signing careful franchisee agreements to ensure operational success. ISI has grown to 55 locations while Pvolve expanded from 3 to 38 studios. Franchisors are prioritizing quality franchisee selection to maintain strong unit economics and profitability.
Why It Matters
The emphasis on franchisee quality and operational performance may affect overall growth trajectories, indicating potential challenges or opportunities for franchisees in securing profitable territories.
Fly Dance Fitness, which began franchising in 2023, has quickly expanded to 10 locations, focusing exclusively on single-unit agreements to ensure robust support for franchisees. Meanwhile, ISI Elite Training, founded in 2013 and franchising since 2019, has grown from 18 locations in mid-2022 to a current total of 55. The brand's CEO, Adam Rice, acknowledged a slower-than-expected growth rate but noted that the business remains on a respectable trajectory. In a similar vein, Pvolve, launched in 2017 and franchising since 2021, expanded from three to 38 locations during the same period. Discover Strength, established 20 years ago but launching its franchise program only in 2023, has grown from eight to nearly 40 studios.
All these fitness franchises share a commitment to careful franchisee selection and strong unit economics. Pvolve's Chief Operating Officer Jesse McBain stated, “I think the work we’re doing now is less about how many deals we can sign and more about making sure every studio in the system is performing well.” This philosophy reflects a focus not just on quantity but also on the profitability and retention of members, underpinning the health of their systems.
