For further information on any of the businesses featured, visit www.what-franchise.com and search the online directory by industry sector
1. Beat Theory Fitness
Today’s fitness conscious society wants shorter, sharper workouts with more proven, targeted results. ‘Boutique’ fitness has gained huge popularity throughout the USA, thanks to operators like Barry’s Bootcamp and Orangetheory Fitness, while today’s top fitness trends include wearable technology, body weight training, high intensity interval training, strength training and group training.
Beat Theory Fitness ticks every box. The strength and cardio interval fitness experience provides an immersive, high intensity, heart rate monitored 45-minute workout for people from all walks of life based in studio-gym facilities.
The company’s heart rate monitored concept is designed to stimulate metabolism, increase energy and provide group support and accountability. Participation activates fat burning, creates visible and lasting toning and extra calorie burn up to 36 hours post workout.
The business model not only provides customers with a technologically advanced alternative to the older gym model, but also creates a highly profitable premium concept that a franchisee can invest in and operate with low overheads and fixed costs.
What you need to know
Investment level:
approximately £170,000, depending on property size and fit-out costs, with personal liquid funds of £51,000. Assistance is provided to secure 70 per cent of total funds required, depending on franchisee’s financial circumstances.
What you get:
full training; assistance with identifying suitable locations and premises; ongoing operational, business and marketing support; package of training equipment and accessories.
2. Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness is the fastest growing fitness franchise business in the world and the second largest health club operator in the UK.
With more than 120 clubs and over 115,000 active members across the UK and Ireland, Anytime Fitness has been named the Top Global Franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for the last two years in a row and has clubs in over 30 countries.
Averaging more than 300 new gyms a year globally for each of the past 10 years, Anytime Fitness gyms are typically 5,000 sq ft - big enough to provide top of the range equipment, yet small enough to be positioned in locations that offer convenience to members.
During the company’s 20-year history, franchisees have chalked up a 96 per cent success rate and Anytime Fitness projects a 100 per cent return on investment within 19 months.
In the UK, Anytime Fitness clubs are typically cash positive by month seven and normally investors can recoup their initial investment and open a second club.
Franchisees are fully supported in developing their chosen locations. The senior management team is made up of recognised industry leaders and is positioned to work with ambitious franchisees and entrepreneurial club owners.
What you need to know
Investment level:
from £110,000 liquid capital (30 per cent of total investment).
What you get:
full staff training; head office support; marketing assistance; trading territory; networking opportunities.
Information:
www.anytimefitness.co.uk/own-a-gym.
3. Bodystreet
A fitness concept that offers a solution to the growing problem of obesity, Bodystreet combines electro-muscle stimulation with easy access boutique studios and is backed by a robust system that’s enjoyed 10 years of success in Germany.
EMS is a proven method of full body workout that supercharges the effects of exercise, meaning just one 20-minute workout per week is enough - perfect for people without the time or motivation to spend hours in a gym.
Since Bodystreet has one of the most developed operating systems, you don’t need leisure or fitness industry experience to become a studio owner. And because the investment level is so low compared to traditional gyms, multi-studio ownership is common within the franchise network.
The company’s support package is the key to success with its franchisees. Each step of opening a gym is clearly documented and includes support in identifying the right premises and help with lease negotiations, writing business plans and helping you gain access to funding.
What you need to know
Investment level:
From £12,500.
What you get:
three-week comprehensive initial training; prelaunch opening plan; ongoing support from an area development manager.
Information:
4. easyGym
This brand is looking for ambitious entrepreneurs to invest in its high tech franchise gym model, both domestically and globally. In exchange it’s offering franchise members a brand with 98 per cent consumer recognition, a proven product with good returns, a fully centralised system and access to 24/7 support.
Franchisees can own their own facility according to what size they can afford and use easyGym’s proven formula to create scalable returns.
While 2016 was a record year for the health and fitness industry, it continues to grow, with more people than ever seeking targeted fitness regimes that fit into their daily lives.
easyGym first opened for business in 2010 and has already grown to almost 100,000 members. The business prides itself on having a team of engaged, talented, high performing people at the top of their game who are developing the brand globally.
What you need to know
Investment level:
‘small box’ from £160,000. ‘Big box’ from £360,000.
What you get:
full training; ongoing support; help with finding suitable location; design and fit-out assistance; marketing support.
Information:
5. EF Medispa
Launched in 2006, EF MEDISPA is one of the UK’s first medical spas and a premier skin clinic chain, providing cutting edge, innovative face and body treatments ranging from non-invasive and minimally invasive technologies to surgical options.
Alongside its four London locations in Kensington, Chelsea, St John’s Wood and Canary Wharf, plus a clinic in Richmond, EF MEDISPA recently opened its first franchise clinic in Bristol, to be followed by a second in Edgbaston.
The business is now planning to expand nationwide through franchising and is looking for people with either a professional background in the sector or an interest in all things aesthetic to join it.
Franchisees benefit from EF MEDISPA’s experience, business systems, marketing expertise, proprietary treatment protocols and training, as well as the personal mentoring of company founder, Esther Fieldgrass.
What you need to know
Investment level:
total investment is approximately £650,000, plus other operational costs. Personal liquid funds of around £260,000 plus are required.
What you get:
full training; ongoing support; assistance with site selection; assistance with business plan development; introduction to sources of bank and lease finance; digital marketing support; local PR and social media activity.
Information:
www.efmedispa.com/about-us/ franchise.
6. F45 Training
Originally established in Australia, F45 Training is a fast growing group training network that’s proving to be one of the most popular fitness concepts to hit the UK for years.
F45 is a high intensity, circuit-based, group exercise concept specifically designed to provide a full body workout in a team environment. By combining an effective, universally popular training programme with a low cost, profitable business platform, F45 offers a cost-effective, results-based solution for both members and franchisees.
Since 2014, more than 800 franchises have been sold across 26 markets worldwide, with 50 locations sold in the UK and 35 in London alone. Globally, F45 boasts over 80,000 members. Founder Rob Deutsch, a former equities trader, created a concept that bridges the gap between traditional gym and personal training, with over 29 varieties of workout designed from an exercise bank of more than 4,000 movements.
F45’s commitment to keeping up to date with emerging and established fitness trends and the latest innovations in fitness and business technology has attracted a range of high profile sports personalities and celebrities as ambassadors, including James Haskell, Daniel Conn and Ricky Martin.
What you need to know
Investment level:
£150,000-£170,000 (plus VAT).
What you get:
full initial and ongoing training; head office support; full suite of music, marketing and promotional assets.
Information:
www.f45training.com/own-an-f45.
7. The Fitness Space
Founded by Tim Benjamin, former 400m Olympic and world championship finalist, and co-director John Pye, The Fitness Space differentiates itself through its member experience.
Supported on every step of their fitness journey, members benefit from a combination of ever evolving technology and dedicated coaching designed to deliver results.
Growing at a rate of four club openings per month, the franchise is expanding rapidly. Its regular membership retention rate is currently over 98 per cent and secondary spend turnover results are up to four times that of the national average.
Strong partnerships with industry giants such as Technogym provide clubs with the latest equipment and services at the lowest cost for franchise owners.
What you need to know
Investment level:
from £24,950.
What you get:
head office training; help with site selection and lease negotiations; assistance with club design and construction; launch support; dedicated business management support prior to and post launch; operations manual.
Information:
<thefitnessspace.com
.8. Francesco Group
Family values run through the heart of the Francesco Group’s hairdressing business, which is still owned and run by the Italian Dellicompagni family, having been founded in 1968 by Francesco Dellicompagni.
The group has 38 salons nationwide, plus three training academies and 15 college partnerships. With an average client bill of £50 and active client database of 70,000, which generates over 270,000 clients visits every year, business is thriving.
Franchisees are supported by the expert head office team, which takes care of everything from accounts, wages and human resources to IT, marketing and PR. Franchisees are expected to uphold the strong values and standards of the Francesco Group brand and provide outstanding levels of hairdressing and customer service.
What you need to know
Investment level:
price on application.
What you get:
comprehensive training programme; full administrative support from head office.
Information:
www.francescogroup.co.uk/franchising
9. Guinot
Established for over 50 years in the UK, Guinot remains a pioneering skincare brand. Franchising with Guinot allows anyone with a passion for the health and beauty business to manage their own high street beauty salon, with the guidance and support of an established brand.
The franchise opportunity offers creative marketing strategies, together with a clear business structure, to help franchisees succeed.
Franchisees are provided with new franchise exclusive promotions every six weeks, along with support in how to implement each marketing cycle. Guinot’s exclusive marketing tool kit allows franchisees to run their own initiatives alongside the cycle to boost their businesses.
The company is looking for franchisees who are hardworking, focused and willing to follow a system. Beauty experience is not essential.
What you need to know
Investment level:
start-up cost for a new salon business is £87,000- £127,000. Start-up cost for an existing salon looking to convert to a Guinot franchise is from £32,000.
What you get:
tailored training; ongoing support.
Information:
10. House of Colour
With 96 franchisees throughout the UK, House of Colour, the personal stylist and colour analysis expert, offers attractive and lucrative franchise opportunities nationwide.
The potentially high income business model has several lucrative streams of income - from colour analysis, personal styling and make-up classes, to established relationships with alliance partners and over 250 make-up products.
Franchisees are motivated, engaging, business people who want to support and inspire their clients to greater success and wellbeing in their lives.
House of Colour has a flexible start-up programme that enables stylists to create a studio in their own home. Stylists complete a rigorous professional training programme, which includes colour analysis, the language of clothes, the psychology of styling, why image is important, budgeting and how to market and grow a franchise business.
House of Colour has plans to sign up a further 50 franchises across the UK by the end of 2018.
What you need to know
Investment level:
from £8,225 (plus VAT) and a monthly service fee of £100 (plus VAT).
What you get:
comprehensive training programme; marketing and sales support; designated exclusive region with a population of at least 90,000 people; website page.
