2026 Guide•40 franchises analyzed
Fitness franchises range from under $5K for instructor-based concepts to $5M for big-box gyms. The economics are completely different, and so is the buyer profile.
Best Fitness Franchises to Own in 2026
Fitness franchises range from under $5K for instructor-based concepts to $5M for big-box gyms. The economics are completely different, and so is the buyer profile.
The fitness industry has fragmented into distinct segments: traditional gyms (Anytime, Planet), boutique studios (Orangetheory, F45), specialty concepts (yoga, pilates, stretching), and personal training. Each has different investment requirements, operating models, and revenue potential.
We analyzed 40 fitness franchise FDDs across all segments to show you: where the opportunities are by investment level, which formats are growing, and what the Item 19 data reveals about unit economics.
Data source: 2025 FDD filings · 40 franchises analyzed · Updated January 2026
Key Findings from FDD Analysis
40
fitness franchises analyzed
$487K - $1.1M
avg. investment
$48K
avg. franchise fee
$710K
avg. revenue (Item 19)
How We Ranked These Fitness franchises
This page ranks fitness franchises by total locations, reported revenue from Item 19, projected growth, and minimum investment. The industry segments into traditional gyms (24/7 access), boutique studios (group classes), and specialty concepts (yoga, pilates, stretching). Each has different real estate, staffing, and capital requirements.
Top Fitness franchises at a Glance
Ranked by Number of Locations
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Locations | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAZZERCISE | $2K - $3K | $1K | 5,251 | - |
| Planet Fitness | $1.5M - $5.2M | $20K | 2,298 | $1.9M |
| ANYTIME FITNESS | $459K - $908K | $43K | 2,290 | $443K |
| Club Pilates | $385K - $839K | $65K | 1,029 | $991K |
| F45 Training | $294K - $719K | $60K | 789 | - |
| F45 Training | $349K - $786K | $60K | 751 | $454K |
| THE JOINT CHIROPRACTIC (UNIT) | $254K - $521K | $40K | 696 | - |
| Pure Barre | $314K - $629K | $60K | 617 | $369K |
| HOTWORX | $259K - $878K | $20K | 578 | $327K |
| Stretch Lab | $269K - $610K | $65K | 485 | $556K |
10 Best Fitness franchises Ranked
Growing
Investment
$2K - $3K
Franchise Fee
$1K
Locations
5,251
Royalty
20.0%
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigationBankruptcy
Investment
$1.5M - $5.2M
Franchise Fee
$20K
Locations
2,298
Avg. Revenue
$1.9M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigationBankruptcy
Investment
$459K - $908K
Franchise Fee
$43K
Locations
2,290
Avg. Revenue
$443K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigationBankruptcy
Investment
$385K - $839K
Franchise Fee
$65K
Locations
1,029
Avg. Revenue
$991K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$294K - $719K
Franchise Fee
$60K
Locations
789
Royalty
7.0%
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$349K - $786K
Franchise Fee
$60K
Locations
751
Avg. Revenue
$454K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigationBankruptcy
Investment
$254K - $521K
Franchise Fee
$40K
Locations
696
Royalty
7.0%
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
LitigationBankruptcy
Investment
$314K - $629K
Franchise Fee
$60K
Locations
617
Avg. Revenue
$369K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$259K - $878K
Franchise Fee
$20K
Locations
578
Avg. Revenue
$327K
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigationBankruptcy
Investment
$269K - $610K
Franchise Fee
$65K
Locations
485
Avg. Revenue
$556K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Highest Profit Fitness franchises
Ranked by net income, EBITDA, or owner earnings from Item 19 FDD disclosures. Not all franchises disclose profit data.
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$928K - $3.7M
Franchise Fee
$35K
Locations
414
Net Profit
$932K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Investment
$1.6M - $3.8M
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
0
Net Profit
$701K
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$481K - $933K
Franchise Fee
$60K
Locations
127
Net Profit
$276K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Investment
$213K - $446K
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
6
Est. Profit
$153K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$259K - $878K
Franchise Fee
$20K
Locations
578
EBITDA
$74K
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
Highest Revenue Fitness franchises
Ranked by average gross revenue per location from Item 19 FDD disclosures.
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$928K - $3.7M
Franchise Fee
$35K
Locations
414
Avg. Revenue
$2.8M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Litigation
Investment
$1.5M - $2.7M
Franchise Fee
$60K
Locations
84
Avg. Revenue
$2.5M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigationBankruptcy
Investment
$1.5M - $5.2M
Franchise Fee
$20K
Locations
2,298
Avg. Revenue
$1.9M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Investment
$1.6M - $3.8M
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
0
Avg. Revenue
$1.7M
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
Investment
$794K - $1.2M
Franchise Fee
$50K
Locations
53
Avg. Revenue
$1.4M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Fastest Growing Fitness franchises
Ranked by projected new locations from Item 20 of their FDD filings.
Growing
Investment
$2K - $3K
Franchise Fee
$1K
Locations
5,251
Royalty
20.0%
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$259K - $878K
Franchise Fee
$20K
Locations
578
Avg. Revenue
$327K
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigationBankruptcy
Investment
$385K - $839K
Franchise Fee
$65K
Locations
1,029
Avg. Revenue
$991K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$294K - $719K
Franchise Fee
$60K
Locations
789
Royalty
7.0%
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
$139K - $320K
Franchise Fee
$60K
Locations
377
Avg. Revenue
$328K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Most Affordable Fitness franchises
Ranked by minimum initial investment from Item 7 of their FDD filings.
Sorted by Minimum Investment
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Locations | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAZZERCISE | $2K - $3K | $1K | 5,251 | - |
| GYMGUYZ | $92K - $174K | $50K | 116 | $107K |
| I LOVE KICKBOXING | $111K - $384K | $25K | 29 | - |
| MIRACLE-EAR | $120K - $403K | $30K | 0 | $452K |
| 9ROUND | $124K - $354K | $25K | 199 | - |
Who Should Consider Fitness franchises?
Fitness franchises suit buyers who want recurring membership revenue. 24/7 gym models can run semi-absentee with good management. Boutique studios require more involvement but offer higher per-member revenue. Passion for fitness helps but isn't required—operational skills matter more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fitness franchises
How much does it cost to open a fitness franchise?
The average initial investment for fitness franchises ranges from $487K to $1.1M, based on our analysis of 40 FDD filings. The average franchise fee is $48K. The most affordable option is JAZZERCISE, starting at just $2K.
What is the most profitable fitness franchise?
According to Item 19 financial performance disclosures, Crunch reports the highest average unit revenue at $2.8M. Other high-performing fitness franchises include WOODHOUSE DAY SPA (THE) ($2.5M), Planet Fitness ($1.9M), Sauna House ($1.7M). Note: Not all franchises disclose Item 19 data.
What is the largest fitness franchise by number of locations?
JAZZERCISE is the largest with 5,251 locations nationwide. Other major fitness franchises include Planet Fitness (2,298 locations), ANYTIME FITNESS (2,290 locations), Club Pilates (1,029 locations), F45 Training (789 locations). Combined, the top 5 fitness franchises operate over 11,657 locations.
What is the cheapest fitness franchise to open?
The most affordable fitness franchises by initial investment are: JAZZERCISE ($2K - $3K), GYMGUYZ ($92K - $174K), I LOVE KICKBOXING ($111K - $384K), MIRACLE-EAR ($120K - $403K), 9ROUND ($124K - $354K). Lower investment often means smaller format, mobile/home-based, or service-based models.
How do I evaluate a fitness franchise opportunity?
Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) carefully. Key sections include: Item 5 (fees), Item 7 (initial investment), Item 19 (financial performance, if disclosed), and Item 20 (outlet information including terminations and closures). Our database extracts this data from official FDDs to help you compare fitness franchises objectively.
Want to explore more fitness franchises?
Browse all fitness franchises in our database with advanced filters for investment range, location count, and more.
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