Largest UK Fitness Franchise Set To Enjoy Landmark Moment During 2022
Anytime Fitness on target to open 200th club by end of year.
Rapidly expanding franchise Anytime Fitness is expected to open its 200th club, in the UK and Ireland, at some point during the year. With a flurry of new openings earmarked for 2022, Anytime Fitness is already on the recruitment trail, as it bolsters its head office staff in anticipation.
Much of this recruitment is focused on enhancing the coaching and guidance given to new franchisees, as they search for the perfect location to host their club. This guidance extends to helping new business partners prepare for opening their premises, as well as ongoing support when fully trading.
Among those positions needing to be filled are director of marketing, an additional franchise performance coach, as well as vacancies within the company’s finance team. Despite being disrupted by the ongoing pandemic, the Anytime Fitness network showed remarkable resilience during 2021, with many clubs exceeding their pre-Covid revenues.
The franchise managed to open almost 20 new clubs last year, with these including new territories in the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey. This sudden growth in business meant the size of its head office team also expanded, with the recruitment of two new directors, along with other administrative staff at its Watford HQ.
Ben Dixon, the chief development officer at Anytime Fitness UK, said: “We continue to embark on an exciting period of growth. The fitness industry is continuing to recover admirably and to reach the 200-club landmark would be testament to the resilience of our franchisees, as well as the appetite of ambitious entrepreneurs who understand the potential of this expanding market.
“Landlords and agents view our industry as a key footfall driver, leading to a sustained demand for health club memberships in the UK and Ireland. Last year, we had a 210% increase in the number of property locations that reached the legal stages. With that figure expected to rise again this year, this means we’re able to secure new club locations faster, and therefore open clubs in a shorter timeframe than ever before –which is great news for new franchisees.”
The company is also proud to publicise their Anytime Academy, which is a platform to educate new franchisees about the brand and industry. This service offers thousands of training courses for franchisees and club staff to consult, if and when required. Ben added: “Our Anytime Academy provides all club staff with flexible learning opportunities to encourage continued self-development.”
About Anytime Fitness: Is the fastest-growing gym franchise in the world, averaging 300 new clubs every year. The business serves four million members, across 5,000 gyms, and is the only franchise of its kind to have locations on all seven continents. Anytime Fitness prides itself on providing members with a friendly, personal service and within well-maintained facilities. Anytime Fitness operates a join-one, join-all policy. All franchised clubs are individually owned and operated using state-of-the-art equipment. Global headquarters are in Minnesota, with the brand celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2022.
Photo Courtesy: Adage, Steamboat Springs
Source: Elite Franchise
