Barre3 Acquires The Barre Code, Hits 185 Location Mark
Barre3 has steadily expanded in North America and Asia since launching in Portland, Oregon, in 2008
Barre3, a boutique fitness franchisor headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is raising the bar after celebrating its 15-year anniversary, having acquired The Barre Code, a Midwest barre fitness company. The strategic move increases Barre3’s global footprint to 185 studios after initially launching in Portland in 2008, with locations expanding coast-to-coast in the U.S., as well as Canada and the Philippines.
The Barre Code studios will become Barre3-branded in the coming months, with upgrades planned for existing locations and class formats. Additionally, all 220 Barre Code instructors will undergo Barre3 training.
“The Barre Code mantra has always been ‘we live to evolve’,” said Jillian Lorenz, who co-founded The Barre Code with Ariana Chernin in 2010. “Ari and I have watched our owners do just that throughout the past 13 years, including weathering the pandemic and coming out stronger and even more committed to their local studio communities. These owners are resilient, strong, passionate leaders and we are excited to see them thrive in this next evolution with Barre3.”
United with an inclusive-thinking approach to fitness and wellness, the two barre businesses say they are aligned in a shared mission. Sadie Lincoln, Barre3’s CEO and co-founder, told Inc. that she created the Barre3 concept based on what she felt was missing in the fitness industry: a workout that wasn’t attached to physical ideals.
The Barre3 franchise has grown with its focus steadily on providing a premium fitness experience in its studios, as well as building an omnichannel approach with on-demand workouts, including barre3 Signature, b3 Cardio, b3 Strength, b3 Mindful Flow and curated collections. The fitness company has also incorporated a retail arm with apparel, props, accessories and beauty and wellness products.
“I feel so grateful to expand our community of Barre3 studios, owners and clients by bringing The Barre Code into Barre3,” Lincoln said. “The collective knowledge and passion The Barre Code owners bring is incredible, and we’re excited to join forces to enrich the lives of our clients by teaching classes that both balance the body and empower from within.”
The Barre Code franchisees appear pleased with the acquisition and are ready to join Barre3’s network.
Lindsay Irrer, who co-owns four studios in Detroit with Janelle Fox Herbert, commented that it’s an exciting new chapter for the brand. The two owners opened their first Barre Code studio ten years ago.
“The class upgrades are intentional and impactful, our studio remodels will feel airy and modern, and the addition of Barre3’s fine-tuned approach to mindfulness will grow the value that we provide for our community to live their healthiest and happiest lives,” Irrer said. “We have so much to look forward to in the months ahead as our studios become Barre3.”
