IMAGE: Jonathan Weiss
One of America’s biggest names in the fitness franchising space has started opening its ‘Judgement Free Zones’ Down Under.
The Planet Fitness story started in Dover, New Hampshire, in 1992, making it one of America’s longest-running fitness franchises operating today. With a membership count upward of 14 million, and over 1,800 gyms spread across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico, it’s a franchise rivaling the biggest players in the healthy-living space.
This momentous growth is only set to continue, as the brand announces Austalian locations to open in 2020 and beyond.
As part of an area development agreement signed with Bravo Fit Holdings Pty Ltd. (Bravo), Planet Fitness will bring a minimum of 35 locations to Australia over the next several years. The first of these are located in Tuggerah and Gosford in the Central Coast of New South Wales, and a location in Casula is expected to open next year.
“We are excited to announce our plans to expand the Planet Fitness brand into Australia,” said Ray Miolla, chief development officer at Planet Fitness. “Australia represents a unique opportunity to grow in a market that combines a favorable operational environment, consumer affinity for U.S. brands, a desirable competitive landscape, and an opportunity to develop a large fleet of clubs.”
What does the current Planet Fitness location look like? Well, more than 95 per cent of the brand’s gyms are owned and operated by independent business men and women, with only 82 corporate-owned fitness centers. 75 per cent of franchisees did not come from the gym industry, so if you’re an entrepreneur looking for your next opportunity, perhaps this could be it.
