Carlyle Backs Fitness Park With €280M for Expansion

The global investment firm is supporting France’s largest budget gym chain’s growth endeavors both domestically and abroad

Carlyle, a global investment firm, has extended a €280 million financing package to Fitness Park, France’s largest value-focused fitness club franchisor, as the company looks to scale through acquisitions in France and internationally and enhance its member experience.

Fitness Park will remain majority-owned by its founders, with minority stakes held by Future French Champions and Momentum Invest.

“We are delighted to support Fitness Park in strengthening and expanding on its leading position in fitness club services across France,” Carlyle Global Credit Managing Director Otto Alaoui said. “The transaction demonstrates our ability to provide flexible capital solutions to accelerate the growth trajectory of founder-owned businesses in Europe.”

The fitness operator has more than 350 locations across France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco, serving 1.3 million members with its extended hours and flexible, affordable membership options.

“Fitness Park is grateful for the support of Carlyle, which enables the business to continue to pursue its growth ambitions through its high-quality customer offering and via strategic acquisitions,” Fitness Park group CEO Gaëtan Dubuisson.”We strongly believe Carlyle’s expertise and capital will help us further capitalize on the fragmented French fitness market as we look to expand on our strong positioning.”