Ex-Agile Pursuits Franchising President and CEO, Thomas Flaherty, will take on the newly created position for the premium-quality, value-based fitness brand
Flaherty will oversee the entire franchise business for Blink Fitness, including the brand’s expansion across the United States and internationally.
The fitness franchise has more than 100 locations open or in development, and has plans for more than 300 company- and franchise-owned Blink Fitness gyms in the next three years.
Flaherty said, “I look forward to working with the Blink Fitness team and franchisees to build a solid, collaborative foundation to support our growth for years to come. We have a lot to be excited about as we look ahead, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Flaherty is a veteran of the industry, having previously been the President and CEO of Agile Pursuits Franchising, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Procter & Gamble.
Overseeing the Tide Dry Cleaners franchise, he helped grow it from three test stores to more than 140 locations, becoming the third largest dry cleaner in the United States.
Prior to joining Agile Pursuits, Flaherty served as Chief Development Officer for Huddle House and spent 13 years at Papa John’s International, where he signed more than 2,000 new units and spearheaded franchise development efforts domestically and abroad.
“Thomas’ proven track record of growing brands through franchising will be instrumental in shaping Blink’s future as the top player in the premium quality, value fitness sector,” said Blink Fitness CEO, Todd Magazine.
The franchise is looking to expand in the U.S with numerous multi-unit deals inked in key markets including New York, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois, South Carolina, California, Tennessee, and Texas.
In recent months, Blink Fitness has signed a major 20-unit development deal for the greater Sacramento region with Yadav Enterprises, Inc., and a 10-unit development deal for the Boston area with multi-brand franchisee group BBI Fitness Holdings.
In addition, three-time NBA All-Star Draymond Green, who has a 20-unit development deal with Blink Fitness in Michigan and Illinois, opened his first location in Warren, Michigan in late-June.
