£170,000 - £ 187,000
Fitness
Yes
£455,000 - £745,000
£43,000 (initial fee)
Operational breakeven in the first month of trading and return on capital investment from approx.18 months
About Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness is the UK’s largest gym franchise, with more than 188 premium, convenient gym facilities across the UK and Ireland, which are open 24 hours, seven days a week. It operates in 35 countries and has over four million members across its network of fitness facilities.
The company provides its members with convenient gym locations and opening hours to suit all lifestyles at an affordable price. The business prides itself on supporting and coaching its members, with its class-leading customer service setting it apart from its competitors and attracting a broad demographic of fitness enthusiasts.
Gym membership gives you access to group fitness classes, face-to-face and smartphone-based personal training and a supporting and welcoming training environment for all ages and abilities.
Anytime Fitness has unveiled a new interior design for its clubs, as well as a new market positioning, shifting its business model from convenience to coaching. This is evident in the new design, which sees clubs split into various training zones with an open-plan layout, providing a welcoming and contemporary environment for its members.
In line with the brand’s evolved look and feel, the design changes are in response to the soaring popularity of functional training, a type of training that increases flexibility, coordination, balance and posture using a range of equipment associated with daily activities.
Anytime Fitness Putney Opening Event from Anytime Fitness UK on Vimeo.
How does the Anytime Fitness franchise model work?
The Anytime Fitness franchise model allows both single and multiple site ownership and offers significant earning potential in the growing fitness sector, which is currently worth over £5bn.
From the moment they sign their franchise agreement, business owners are given access to expert support and business advice from Anytime Fitness’ in-house team and an impressive network of leading partners. This provides access to competitive financial rates and commercial terms due to established partnerships with banks, property agents and fitness equipment providers.
Anytime Fitness offers the most comprehensive support structure and training programme available to franchisees in the fitness sector.
From the second a franchisee joins the network, Anytime Fitness’ growing new openings and development team works closely with new franchisees to help find them the perfect site for their new club. The opening process is overseen by a dedicated presales manager, helping franchisees capitalise on the all-important presale period and open with as many members as possible.
The support never stops and after successfully opening their doors, franchisees work with one of its dedicated Franchise Performance Coaches (FPCs), who have all operated health clubs at a senior level. Their ongoing coaching helps franchisees to run successful, profitable health clubs and maximise all revenue opportunities available to them.
People are attracted to Anytime Fitness’ model due to its fixed franchisee fee and lean staff structure to maximise profit margins. With franchises in other sectors requiring significant marketing to secure repeat custom, Anytime Fitness members provide long-term loyalty and an average stay of over 17 months.
What type of franchisee is Anytime Fitness looking for?
Anytime Fitness is looking for potential owners who are passionate about improving the health of the nation and making a difference in people’s lives.
It has a broad selection of franchisees with a range of different backgrounds. Fitness experience isn’t compulsory and many of its franchisees choose to employ an experienced club manager to run their club. The club manager oversees the day-to-day operation of the club, with the role including sales, managing staff, ensuring the club is safe and clean and greeting members and prospects.
With joint venture opportunities and funding support available from major banks, you could be closer than you think to owning your very own health club.
Training and support
For anyone considering becoming an Anytime Fitness franchisee, there is a chance to attend a free Discovery Day. This provides the chance to meet senior, executive members of the team and find out more about the opportunities available and the profit potential of owning an Anytime Fitness health club.
After being onboarded to the network, new franchisees attend a comprehensive three-day training course at its support office, including meeting the CEO. The three days are divided into three key aspects of initial club ownership; commercial and property training, preparation for presale and sales for presale.
All new franchisees are appointed a club openings team to coach them through every stage of opening their doors. Providing round-the-clock counsel, the team uses its contacts and connections to negotiate favourable commercial terms and ensure every stage of the club opening goes smoothly, all while saving franchisees money.
After its first two months of trading, franchisees are appointed a dedicated Franchise Performance Coach (FPC). These performance coaches have all operated health clubs at a senior level and have been carefully recruited to provide expert advice to franchisees. The FPCs hold regular performance calls and on-the-job coaching to help clubs maximise the opportunities available to them and increase profitability.
To support the development of club staff, Anytime Fitness has recently launched a dedicated eLearning portal. This portal is available free of charge to all clubs and provides over 1,000 online courses across a range of topics to advance the personal and professional development of all staff.
Financial information
A minimum initial franchise fee of £173,000 is required, with additional funding available from leading banks, including Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds Bank, who can fund up to 70% of the turnkey costs. Franchisees can expect operational breakeven in the first month of trading and a return on capital investment in their franchise business within 18 months.
Clubs are now opening with more members than ever before, ensuring a quicker return on investment and business success. Scalability can be achieved through multi-club ownership, with 60% of franchisees owning multiple clubs.
What locations or territories is Anytime Fitness looking to operate in?
Franchising opportunities are available nationwide across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Due to a recent change in legislation, there are now greater opportunities to open an Anytime Fitness club on the high street. The amendment to the Uses Classes Order means there are fewer planning obstacles when moving into previous retail units and allows a quicker turnaround for facilities in sought-after, high footfall locations.
Why is an Anytime Fitness franchise a good investment?
Franchising with Anytime Fitness gives you the opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of your local community, while positively changing lives.
Becoming an Anytime Fitness franchisee provides a range of benefits, including:
- Reliable, monthly direct debit income
- Competitive financial rates and commercial terms due to Anytime Fitness’ established partnerships with market-leading partners, including banks, property agents and fitness equipment providers
- Fixed franchise fee, regardless of membership numbers and total revenue
- Lean staff structure to maximise profit margins
- Working with a dedicated new openings team and Franchise Performance Coach with a wealth of fitness industry experience
- Access to a range of experts across property, construction, operations and marketing
- Great work-life balance
The UK health and fitness industry is worth more than £5.9bn (2024 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report) with one in nine people in the UK being a member of a gym.
The sector has now surpassed the pre-covid levels with Anytime Fitness experiencing over one million member visits per month in 2024.
What are the Anytime Fitness franchise terms of agreement and renewal?
Anytime Fitness franchisees have a choice of a five- or 10-year agreement, allowing them to select a model that suits them, in line with property lease and funding terms. The same agreement options are available on renewal
Anytime Fitness - Bishop's Cleeve Franchisee from Anytime Fitness UK on Vimeo.
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