Anytime Fitness doubles length of franchise agreements
Published: 13 July 2018
Anytime Fitness, the UK’s second-largest private gym operator, has introduced 10-year franchise agreements for both new and existing franchisees.
Having previously offered a maximum franchise agreement term of five years, the move allows franchisees a longer timescale to establish their clubs and recover their initial investment.
Stuart Broster, UK CEO of Anytime Fitness, comments: “The introduction of 10-year franchise agreements increases the attractiveness of opening an Anytime Fitness club. We appreciate opening a franchise comes with a significant personal investment and longer-term agreements offer franchisees an added level of reassurance that they have the time to establish their club and turn it into a success.
"As we continue to grow, an ongoing challenge is the availability of property and these longer-term agreements also offer security to potential landlords. Having a tenant for a longer period represents a safer investment for them and could help provide an edge in competitive tender processes.”
The Anytime Fitness banking partners were instrumental in the decision, with NatWest recommending this positive move in order to provide additional support to the franchisees.
Mark Scott, the franchise development manager for the NatWest franchise team, says: "NatWest has been working with Anytime Fitness and financing their franchisees since they arrived in the UK and recommended an increased term option on the franchise agreement.
"It’s great news for the franchisees and the bank that this has now been set up, as the reduced monthly payments compared to a five-year agreement will enable franchisees to generate more cash that can be used for future expansion plans more quickly. Cash is of course the life blood of businesses, so the extension is very positive indeed.”
Franchisees now have the choice of five-year or 10-year agreements. Franchises also enjoy recurring monthly direct debit revenue, fixed franchise fees and extensive ongoing support from the head office team, including a dedicated franchise performance coach.
Anytime Fitness currently has over 140 fitness clubs in the UK.
