The RSG Group-owned gym brand, already highly popular in Europe, will follow the Gold’s Gym model to grow beyond its company-owned clubs in Germany, Australia and Italy
McFit, one of Europe’s most popular gym brands, is looking to expand in a major shift to franchising in international markets.
For the first time, the gym operator will welcome franchisees to grow its footprint beyond Germany, Austria and Italy, where it currently operates over 230 company-owned locations.
McFit is planning to model its new chapter after the franchising success of Gold’s Gym, a fellow member of the Rainer Schaller Global (RSG) Group, which currently operates 58 company-owned studios worldwide and 507 franchise gyms.
“Over the past years, we have proven that we not only understand franchise systems, but can successfully scale them worldwide,” said RSG Group vice president of strategy, expansion and franchise Jörg Fockenberg. “With the internationalization of McFit as a franchise concept, we are taking the next logical step and opening our strongest European brand to new markets around the world.”
The operator is targeting global franchise growth in markets currently void of company-owned McFit locations, leveraging untapped potential hotspots for future clubs, with a primary focus on recruiting master franchisees.
As part of its new franchising endeavors, McFit has developed a comprehensive package of franchise tools meant to help franchisees adapt to local areas while ensuring strong management and a consistent brand appearance, equipping new partners with the tools and knowledge for successful launches and daily operations.
“We want to empower entrepreneurs worldwide to continue the success story of McFIT in their own countries,” said RSG Group co-CEO Dr. Jobst Müller-Trimbusch
McFit recently underwent a major revamp, pursuing a “modernization offensive” meant to cultivate a “holistic training experience” that supports new fitness trends and provides female members a specially designed strength training space.
