Kommunity Fitness Lands First US Franchise Deal

The Canadian boutique fitness brand will head to New Jersey first, as former Club Pilates president Mike Gray looks to build a nationwide franchise network

Kommunity Fitness is officially making its U.S. move, starting in New Jersey.

The Vancouver-based boutique fitness brand has signed its first U.S. franchise operator, which has secured development rights in New Jersey and is searching for a location for Kommunity’s first American studio. The specific market will be announced once real estate has been secured, according to the franchisor.

The deal marks the first tangible step in an ambitious U.S. expansion for Kommunity, which earlier this year hired former Club Pilates president Mike Gray as president and COO to spearhead its American launch and build a nationwide franchise operation.

“New Jersey is the first step in a much bigger vision,” Kommunity founder Aaron Keay said. “We’ve spent years building the brand, the experience, and the culture behind Kommunity. Now, with Mike and the team leading our U.S. expansion, we have the experience and infrastructure to take what we created and introduce it to communities across the country without losing what made Kommunity special in the first place.”

Kommunity says it’s actively evaluating additional U.S. markets and talking with prospective franchisees as it looks to establish a broader footprint south of the Canadian border. The brand is targeting both single-unit entrepreneurs and experienced multi-unit operators.

Kommunity currently operates two studios in Vancouver. Its concept centers on 50-minute circuit-style workouts combining strength, cardio and athletic conditioning with coach-led instruction, digital screens, music and technology.

Its programming includes strength, endurance and HIIT-focused classes, along with team-based workouts and K-Tenz, a hybrid training format featuring sled pushes and pulls, running, erg intervals, carries and strength stations.

The company is taking a deliberate approach to U.S. growth rather than prioritizing unit count, according to Gray, with an emphasis on selecting franchisees who can establish the brand in their local markets.

“We’re not putting dots on a map just to say we’re growing,” Gray said. “Our first U.S. operator is helping plant the Kommunity flag in New Jersey, and that’s a pretty special responsibility.”

Kommunity says its franchise system will support operators across real estate, studio development, training, technology, operations, sales and marketing as it expands across the country.