Editorial

The fast, convenient and affordable alternative to the big-box health clubs offers single and multiple unit opportunities

You don’t have to sell customers on being healthy. Who doesn’t want to lose a few pounds, tone up and feel more energized nowadays?

The key to your business success is making it easy for customers to achieve their fitness goals – and now you can, as a franchisee of Snap Fitness 24/7, the hottest concept in the health club industry!

Based in Minneapolis, Snap Fitness is a franchisor of compact, state-of-the-art, 24/7 fitness centers that offer a fast, convenient and affordable workout alternative to traditional big-box health clubs.

As a Snap Fitness owner, you’ll offer customers the same top-of-the-line equipment and workout experience – but without the crowded parking lots, long waiting lines and expensive monthly dues.

Only the best: Your Snap Fitness features the same state-of-the-art equipment used at big-box health clubs

The value for franchisees and members is so strong that Snap Fitness ranks #11 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of “Top New Franchises” and rates as one of nine “Franchises We Love!” by the editors of Success Magazine.

As a franchisee, there is a lot to like because Snap Fitness is:

Easy to afford – a club costs between $150,000 and $165,000, with $50,000 to $60,000 cash down. One-stop, turnkey financing is available, making it a faster and hassle-free process.
Easy to manage – once a club is up and running, you can get by with only one employee, avoiding the staffing headaches typical of other Franchise opportunities.
Easy to operate – tight standards and systems make this a relatively simple business to run, so much so that 85% o franchisees are absentee owners. Examples:
- Members gain access 24/7 using their own passcard-keys, minimizing the number of hours a club must be staffed
- All billing and collection is automated, with funds deposited directly into your bank account
- Easy-to-use web-based applications let you run reports, analyze sales and tap into the club’s surveillance cameras to see who’s working out – from the comfort of home!

Best of all, the concept is easy to market. “We’re succeeding in urban, mid-sized and rural areas,” says Snap Fitness CEO and founder Peter Taunton, who projects close to 1,000 clubs sold by year-end.

“The appeal is universal for a concept that offers a close-to-home, first-class workout in a safe, secure facility for about a dollar a day.”

What makes Snap Fitness different and better than knock-off competitors? Taunton replies with two words: franchisee support.

“It’s all about making franchisees successful – quickly and on a sustainable basis,” Taunton says.

“They’ve entrusted us with their money, their life’s savings in some cases, and our corporate culture revolves around being responsive, supportive and helping them achieve their American Dream.”

Snap Fitness CEO Peter Taunton has more than 20 years of industry experience.

To that end, Snap Fitness invests heavily in systems and processes that make ownership a “no brainer,” according to Taunton.

“We’ve leveraged our 20 years of experience in this industry to map out each element of the operations and marketing,” he says. “Everything’s been thought through and programmed to control expenses, maximize sales and sustain profitability. And we test on ourselves first, using our company stores as labs, rather than asking franchisees to take a leap of faith on unproven methods.”

The Snap “SWAT” Team pulls up in company-owned trailers to equip and complete the build out of your club – a unique service not offered by competitors.

The support is evident from the moment you commit to becoming a franchisee. Financing is handled seamlessly through an alliance with Main Street Bank. And, you’re assigned a project manager to assist with site and equipment selection and site build out.

In fact, the company uniquely deploys a Snap SWAT Team, which pulls up in a huge trailer and essentially completes the store build out while you watch.

“This is unheard of in our business,” Taunton says. “We do it all – the flooring, mirrors, televisions, security system, window signage. SWAT stands for ‘swift and turnkey’ and that’s exactly the type of service we deliver in helping each franchisee prepare for the grand opening.”

Another key competitive difference: fees. Taunton points out that over the course of a year, franchisees pay less and keep more of their revenue because of the simpler, more equitable fee structure his company uses.

A Snap Fitness Franchise could be right for you – whether you are semi-retired and looking for a part-time business; someone who wants to keep his current job but have an investment business on the side; or if you want to run multiple locations and make this your primary investment.

Successful Snap Fitness franchisees come from all these walks of life. You can buy a single club or invest in a “3-pack” to lock up a geographical area and expand earnings potential.

Top Ten Reasons to Own a Snap Fitness Franchise

Hot market – the express workout trend is popular and growing, fueled by health-conscious baby boomers
Broad appeal – co-ed membership widens your market and sales potential
First-class facility – cardio theater, free weights and state-of-the-art strength-training machines, just like the big, fancy clubs
Terrific consumer value – nearby location, 24/7 workout experience for about a dollar-a-day single membership
Proven concept – projected 1,000 clubs by year-end and hundreds of happy, satisfied franchisees already
Affordable - $50,000 to $60,000 cash down with one-stop, hassle-free financing available
Easy to manage – only one employee is needed and, with strong systems and processes in place, absentee ownership is possible
Achievable success – most clubs break even with 250 or fewer members
Additional income – the club keeps all personal training revenues, nothing goes to Corporate, creating a potentially lucrative revenue stream
Corporate culture – “franchisee-first” attitude each and every day, with a business run on Christian principles of fairness, dignity and respect for all