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Starting Strength
Strength Train LLC offers franchises for Starting Strength Gyms, which focus on a barbell-based strength training system developed by Mark Rippetoe. The gyms provide services including introductory sessions, workshops, group and private coaching, online coaching, nutrition coaching, and key-card access memberships, operating in small retail spaces of 645-2,000 square feet. The business model emphasizes uniform design, proprietary methods, and targets individuals of all ages and athletic backgrounds seeking to build strength in a competitive fitness market.
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Franchise Costs
8% royalty + 2% ad fund + $408-$447/mo technology + $50/mo coaching directory + $13-$27/mo newsletter software
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 28 Starting Strength Franchised Gyms, with 25 open and 3 closed due to bankruptcy in fiscal year 2024, as of March 15, 2025.
* Calculated average gross revenue, median gross revenue, top quartile average, and bottom quartile average from the 'Total Gross Revenue' data of 28 franchised gyms listed in the 'Sales Performance from Gym Opening to March 15, 2025' table. The top and bottom quartile averages are based on the mean of the top and bottom 25% of revenues respectively (7 gyms for each quartile out of 28 total).
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $747,127
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Unlock financial performance dataStarting Strength Franchise Analysis
In the hyper-competitive fitness industry, a barbell-only gym chain with just two dozen units since 2018 grabs attention for its bold revenue disclosures in Item 19. SBA financing records add an unexpected layer to the funding picture. Does this disciplined strength model translate to franchisee muscle, or is it all hype?
Item 7 lays out the initial investment from $237,033 to $712,503, including a $39,950 franchise fee, buildout for 645-2,000 sq ft spaces, equipment, and opening costs. Ongoing fees hit hard at 8% royalty plus 2% ad fund, plus $408-$447 monthly tech fees, $50 coaching directory, and $13-$27 newsletter—totaling around 10% plus fixed costs that could squeeze margins. Item 19 shines bright: average gross revenue $747,127, median $654,530 across 25 franchised units, suggesting top performers drive the mean up but even middling locations clear $650K+ annually in a niche market.
System health shows steady expansion from 22 to 25 locations in 2024 (+14%), with 7 projected new units signaling franchisor confidence. Eleven SBA loans average $287,545 but carry a 9.1% default rate—higher than typical fitness peers, hinting at cash flow pressures despite strong sales. For investors eyeing $700K+ potential in small-footprint gyms, the numbers promise power if you can navigate fees and sustain the $650K+ median; otherwise, it's a high-stakes lift in a strength purist's world.
Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How Starting Strength Compares
Key Insights
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Fitness Studios
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting Strength Current | $237K – $713K | $40K | 8.0% | 25 |
| Planet Fitness | $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 |
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
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Starting Strength franchisees (2021 – 2025)
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.
11 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
30 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
30 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
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 Starting Strength franchise ranges from $237,033 to $712,503. This includes a franchise fee of $39,950. Ongoing royalty fees are 8.0% of gross sales.
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