HOW FITNESS FRANCHISES DEVELOPED
They say change is the only constant, and that’s as true for fitness franchises as anything else. The franchise world has evolved. We’ve seen some really positive changes along the way. In this article, we’ll look at the most interesting changes that have affected the franchise world and how they benefit franchisees and customers.
THE CHANGE IN FRANCHISING
There was a time when franchising was rare, the existence of a business model was unknown and anyone who wanted to start a business essentially had to reinvent the wheel every time. Things have changed since then. Today, franchises are incredibly common throughout France, with an estimated 2,049 franchise locations nationwide in 2020, responsible for employing millions of people and those numbers continue to grow.
Today, franchise opportunities exist for virtually anyone who wants them. Brands and companies in a variety of industries and sectors are turning to franchises. They do so as a way to expand their markets and network and make their brands more famous around the world.
Franchisees, on the other hand, decide to buy a franchise as a way to start a business without too much risk or overhead. Another reason is to ensure that they have a legacy to pass on to their children. Franchises remain popular because they offer locally appropriate employment and a reliable income.
HISTORY OF THE FRANCHISE
To understand how fitness franchises have developed, we must first look at where they began. The origin of franchising dates back to about 1850. The Singer Sewing Machine Company came up with the idea of franchising as a way to grow their business and expand their brand.
But it wasn’t until the 1930s that franchising took off. And we have the restaurant industry to thank for that. The first modern restaurant franchise was Howard Johnson’s, created and popularized by Howard Deering Johnson.
From there, things accelerated. McDonald’s established its empire in the 1950s, followed quickly by KFC in 1952 and Burger King in 1953. With rapid technological advances and an increased emphasis on convenience, the stage was set for franchising success. Brands took advantage of the opportunity.
In the 1960s, franchising welcomed a new player and moved slightly out of the fast food landscape. In 1965, Gold’s Gym entered the scene for the first time, opening its flagship location in Venice Beach, California. It was a monumental moment, one that would ultimately lay the foundation for the fitness franchise as we know it today.
Gold’s Gym opened its doors long before the invention of the modern health club and quickly became the go-to place for bodybuilders in and around the Venice Beach area. By 1999, there were over 534 Gold’s Gym locations in the United States, and the modern fitness franchise model was born.
THE CURRENT STATE OF FRANCHISING
Thanks to the companies that led the way, franchising is now a streamlined and highly usable business model. Entrepreneurs are turning to franchises to weather the constant ups and downs of the economy, as established businesses with built-in principles and concepts tend to be more reliable than entirely new businesses.
MORE AND MORE BUSINESSES WILL FRANCHISE IN THE COMING YEARS
As the world changes, fitness franchises have grown and businesses are forced to adapt accordingly. Fortunately, franchising remains one of the best ways to do so. Our GIGAFIT club has decided to move to a franchise model.
Naturally, other clubs took notice. The owners wanted to know our secrets, and we were more than happy to help. We developed a consulting business, which was the first step toward franchising. By 2021, Gigafit’s programming was licensed to gyms throughout France.
We were offering a simplified solution that gyms across the country and around the world could use from the start.
We were proud of what we were doing, but we decided it was time to take the next step. That’s when our transition to franchising really began. We saw a gap in the industry: we knew that a very specific training program in cross training and other sports was our core competency, and we knew we could offer it better than anyone else in the industry.
Today
We offer world-class fitness franchise opportunities. Not only do we have a long history as industry leaders, but we offer a unique niche program for everyone.
We look forward to seeing what the future of franchising holds for the fitness industry. We’re proud to maintain our position at the forefront of this change. To learn more about Gigafit and the franchise opportunities we offer, contact us today.
In today’s economy, franchises that offer personal services are among the fastest growing businesses. Fitness, retail, real estate and hospitality franchises are taking center stage today, and it’s a trend we’re happy to be a part of.
Here at GIGAFIT, we launched our fitness program in 2014. At first, our philosophy was simple. We believed that a very specific training program in Cross training and other sports gave our clients better results. As we grew, we stayed true to that vision. Over time, this has allowed our programs to go straight to the top.
Today, we’re proud to say that Gigafit programs are among the most effective in the world. It’s a legacy we’re incredibly proud of, and one that impacts everything we do in the fitness world.
