Fitness Brands Make Their Mark on Franchise 500 List
Crunch Fitness was crowned the ultimate fitness franchise of 2024 by “Entrepreneur,” but many brands earned a spot in the annual ranking
As fitness and wellness continue to rack up consumer interest and spending, several franchises have made Entrepreneur’s 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking list, with Crunch Fitness taking the top spot among fitness brands and several Xponential Fitness brands also securing a place.
Aside from flexing the power of the health and fitness franchise industry, Entrepreneur’s list reveals the strength of the franchise system and the lure of franchising as a lucrative business model for both budding and established entrepreneurs.
The publication then evaluated the franchisors based on associated costs and fees, support, size and growth and brand strength.
Three Fitness Franchises Crack Top 100
Three fitness centers/studios broke into the top hundred on the list, with Crunch Fitness (#29) taking the top spot in the category.
The popular fitness franchise has been working on an aggressive expansion plan, while one top Michigan-based Crunch Fitness franchisee recently announced plans to open as many as 75 Crunch Fitness gyms with the support of a private equity firm.
Following Crunch was Anytime Fitness (#77), which inked a deal with Apple Fitness+ to offer the service to its members. There are also growth plans in the works, as Omega Fitness, the second largest Anytime Fitness franchisee in the U.S., was acquired by a private equity firm late last year.
Heart-rate-based boutique fitness franchise Orangetheory Fitness secured the #96 spot. The fitness franchise has developed a loyal following and is now eyeing the U.K. as the “cornerstone” of its international growth strategy. Orangetheory recently forged a deal to acquire and expand its London studios.
Xponential Brands Make Their Mark
Club Pilates ranked at #202, securing the top Pilates fitness franchise title. Regarded as the most well-known and successful of Xponential’s eleven brands, the franchise has been targeting expansion in Europe. Xponential also saw Pure Barre rank on the list at #224, as the brand sees strong demand in Japan as well as North America.
Notably, only one assisted stretching franchise made the top 500 list: StretchLab, which ranked at #356. Another Xponential-backed fitness franchise, StretchLab, opened an assisted stretching location every three days last year.
Xponential’s CycleBar also took the single indoor cycling franchise spot at #411. Similarly, only one yoga franchise cracked the top ten — Xponential’s YogaSix at #472. The boutique yoga franchise has grown across the U.S. and even at sea, with a presence on Princess Cruises.
From Boutique to Big Box
Entrepreneur’s 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking list also highlighted the top contenders in specific fitness and wellness spaces. As demand for personal training continues to grow, The Exercise Coach, a personal training franchise, took the top spot in the category at #159.
A fitness pioneer, Gold’s Gym took the #176 spot. The long-standing fitness powerhouse brand bolstered its leadership last year with the appointment of two co-CEOs.
Burn Boot Camp (#319) also made the list as the only camp-style fitness concept. A fast-growing 45-minute fitness franchise, Burn Boot Camp offers personal training in a small group setting, ensuring clients get focused attention with its results-driven sessions.
Mayweather Boxing + Fitness took the top boxing and functional training spot at #357, while RockBox Fitness, a growing boxing, kickboxing and functional strength training franchise, grabbed #499 on the list.
D1 Training, an athletic training franchise with 100-plus facilities, also made the list at #446. Focusing on family workouts, group training and the untapped market of scholastic training, the D1 Training franchise plans to open 50 locations while another 100 are in development.
Wellness Brands Start To Emerge
In an era where busy consumers are looking for non-invasive treatments that promote longevity, energy and a feeling of overall wellness, wellness therapy and supplement franchises are set to flourish.
Infrared sauna and red light therapy franchisors had strong representation with Perspire Sauna Studio taking the #336 spot. The franchise has been enjoying the “wellness boom,” especially as it zeros in on the Texas market.
Anti-aging and other wellness modalities such as IV therapy, cryotherapy and peptides were honored with Prime IV Hydration & Wellness following at #389. The wellness franchise operates in over 30 states and has been significantly expanding in Arizona.
A complete list of the health and wellness franchises that made Entrepreneur’s 2024 Franchise 500 can be found here.
