Club Pilates, Anytime Fitness Head to France as European Market Heats Up
Xponential Fitness and Self Esteem Brands have lofty global expansion goals as they prepare to open their first locations in France
The Xponential Fitness-owned Club Pilates and Self Esteem Brands-owned Anytime Fitness have announced significant deals that will advance the fitness industry in France while also propelling their companies’ global expansion plans.
France has steadily recovered from the pandemic’s impact, and its fitness market is expected to grow rapidly.
Trends such as boutique fitness studios, VR, fitness wearables, hybrid gym memberships and tech advancements are all credited to the projected fitness market growth in France, according to analysts at Ken Research.
Club Pilates Continues European Expansion
Xponential Fitness has signed a master franchise agreement in France for Club Pilates after recently signing master franchise agreements for the Pilates concept in Ireland and Switzerland.
The boutique fitness franchisor says the deal represents its 19th international country outside of North America and allows the master franchisee to license a minimum of 75 Club Pilates studios in France over the next ten years.
The agreement was signed with TCMP Fitness L.P. and partners Susan and Chris Fichaud and will add to Club Pilates’ rapid expansion across Spain and Germany, where it already has studios opened. Xponential Fitness confirms that development agreements are also in place for Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal and the U.K.
The fitness franchisor says it is encouraged by the European Pilates and yoga studio market, which it says is projected to reach $71.2 million by 2030 according to Allied Market Research.
“France is the third largest fitness market in Europe and Club Pilates is perfectly suited to appeal to discerning French consumers looking for an outstanding workout and a supportive community of like-minded customers,” said John Kersh, chief international development officer of Xponential. “We have high expectations for Club Pilates in France and we are excited to continue to support Chris and Susan on their long-term development and franchising efforts.”
While Xponential has shaken off recession fears, stating that its consumers are resilient, shares of XPOF are still recovering after a short-seller report was released last month. Xponential has denied the allegations by Fuzzy Panda Research, and Wall Street analysts are bullish on the fitness franchisor.
Anytime Fitness To Open Locations Across France
Self Esteem Brands, the parent company of a vast portfolio of fitness, health and wellness brands, announced that Anytime France SARL has joined Anytime Fitness as its latest master franchisee.
With the addition of France, Self Esteem Brands will have Anytime Fitness clubs operating in 41 countries and territories, but by all accounts, Self Esteem Brands is just getting started with its global growth strategy. The company aspires to open 10,000 fitness, health and wellness clubs and studios worldwide by 2030.
Sander van den Born, executive vice president of international, Self Esteem Brands, said that the moment is right, noting the general recovery of the fitness market in France.
“We are well placed to bring the Anytime Fitness brand here as we accelerate our growth across the European landscape,” said van den Born. “Working with two exceptional, experienced Anytime Fitness club owners, we are proud to know the brand will play an active role in helping the people of France on their personal health and well-being journeys.”
Anytime France, owned by Benoit Hanssen and Matt Burgess, will open Anytime Fitness Clubs across Paris, Ile-de-France, Auvergne, Rhone-Alpes, Provence-Alpes and Cote d’Azur. Hanssen and Burgess also operate Anytime Fitness clubs across Italy.
The fitness company will soon announce specific locations and opening dates of the Anytime France locations.
“We’re excited to bring the biggest global fitness brand to France,” Burgess said. “Coupled with our learnings from neighboring market Italy, and the addition of the local French flavor to the U.S. model, we are confident in our plans for growth, enabling the people of France to meet their fitness and well-being goals.”
