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Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness franchises operate fitness training facilities offering exercise machines, free weights, fitness training services, related services, amenities, and ancillary goods in a low-pressure, judgement-free environment. The franchisor offers franchises for new locations and conversions of existing fitness facilities, following a proprietary system including marks, designs, equipment, and operating standards. They target health-conscious consumers in a competitive fitness market.
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Franchise Costs
7% royalty + 2% NAF (national advertising fund, up to 3%) + $100/yr software licensing
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 2,197 franchised clubs in the United States, including Puerto Rico, open and operating for the entire 12-month period ended December 31, 2024.
* Calculated weighted average gross revenue for franchised clubs based on the '2024 EFT Revenue for Franchised Clubs Only' table (Page 1): (733 Bottom Third clubs * $1,205,580 Average Annual EFT Revenue) + (732 Middle Third clubs * $1,803,265 Average Annual EFT Revenue) + (732 Upper Third clubs * $2,613,753 Average Annual EFT Revenue) / (733 + 732 + 732 Total clubs = 2197) = $1,873,895.00. Median gross revenue is taken from the Median Annual EFT Revenue of the Middle Third segment ($1,794,689) as an overall median for all clubs was not explicitly provided. Revenue top quartile is the Average Annual EFT Revenue of the Upper Third segment. Revenue bottom quartile is the Average Annual EFT Revenue of the Bottom Third segment. No gross profit, net income, net profit, or EBITDA data was provided specifically for franchised clubs, only for corporate-owned clubs, which were excluded as per instructions.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $1,873,895
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Unlock financial performance dataPlanet Fitness Franchise Analysis
Planet Fitness dominates the fitness scene with its no-judgment vibe, but scaling that to franchise ownership raises big questions about returns in a crowded gym market. Item 19 finally pulls back the curtain on revenue performance across hundreds of units, while a thick stack of SBA loans and recent growth metrics paint a picture of aggressive expansion. Does this low-pressure brand deliver high-pressure profits, or is the real sweat in the financials? Unlock for the unfiltered data dive.
Item 7 lays out the hefty upfront commitment: $1,525,000 to $5,221,500 total investment, kicked off by a $20,000 franchise fee. Ongoing fees hit 7% royalty plus 2% brand fund (NAF can climb to 3%), and a $100 annual software license adds a small but steady drip. Item 19 shines here, disclosing average gross revenue of $1,873,895 and median $1,794,689—solid figures signaling most locations pull strong top-line numbers without relying on elite clientele. SBA data backs accessibility with 135 loans averaging $1,052,167, easing the multimillion-dollar barrier for qualified buyers.
System vitality looks robust at 2,298 franchised locations versus 270 corporate, up 4% from 2,201 in 2023, with 78 projected new units signaling momentum. Terminations are a mere 1, a green flag amid 270 transfers that suggest active resale market rather than distress. Litigation notes flag disputes like an area development termination and international repurchase breach, plus a bankruptcy history, but low closure rates imply operational resilience. For buyers eyeing fitness, these metrics point to a scalable model if you stomach the high entry and capitalize on the Judgement Free revenue engine.
Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How Planet Fitness Compares
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 98% of Fitness Studios franchises
- #1 largest franchise system in Fitness Studios
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Fitness Studios
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Planet Fitness Current | $1.5M – $5.2M | $20K | 7.0% | 2,298 |
| ANYTIME FITNESS | $539K – $905K | $43K | N/A | 2,271 |
| HOTWORX | $289K – $830K | $20K | N/A | 797 |
| F45 Training | $362K – $858K | $60K | 7.0% | 706 |
| Pure Barre | $314K – $629K | $60K | 7.0% | 617 |
| Snap Fitness Club | $431K – $1.1M | $40K | N/A | 484 |
Fitness Studios Average 56 franchises | $424K – $1.0M | $48K | 6.9% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 56 Fitness Studios franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+37 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Planet Fitness franchisees (2010 – 2022)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
135 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
2,637 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
2,637 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Disputes involving termination of an area development agreement and breach of a franchise repurchase agreement with international franchisee.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
Darrell Chichester, Vice President and Senior Associate General Counsel of Pla-Fit Franchise, filed personal Chapter 7 bankruptcy on March 2, 2018 (discharged July 3, 2018).
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a Planet Fitness franchise ranges from $1,525,000 to $5,221,500. This includes a franchise fee of $20,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 7.0% of gross sales.
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