International growth of Anytime Fitness outstrips competing franchise giants

ANYTIME FITNESS NAMED #1 TOP GLOBAL FRANCHISE BY ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE 

International growth of Anytime Fitness outstrips competing franchise giants

Anytime Fitness, the UK’s fastest growing franchise, has been ranked No.1 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual Top Global Franchise list.

The international health and fitness club has averaged 300 new openings for each of the last eight years, with its 3,000th franchised unit expected to be unveiled later this summer. The company will reach the milestone just 13 years after its inception, less time than it took other franchising giants, such as McDonald’s, Subway, 7-Eleven and Pizza Hut to achieve the same feat.

To compile the Top Global Franchises ranking, Entrepreneur started with each company’s 2015 Franchise 500® score – based on objective, quantifiable criteria including system size, growth and financial strength and stability – then adjusted to give extra weight to international size and growth. 

The first Anytime Fitness in the UK opened in Bristol in 2010. Currently, there are 48 Anytime Fitness clubs in operation, while the total number of clubs open or in planning exceeds 200.

“The strength of our international framework has been pivotal to the growth of the company here in the UK. Being able to draw on the expertise and support of more established networks, such as the US and Australia, has enabled us to create a successful business model that delivers significant returns for our franchisees,” said Andy Thompson, managing director for Anytime Fitness UK.

The prospect of a business failing can be a deterrent to many entrepreneurs, but we are able to offer franchisees peace of mind as more than 96% of our clubs around the world are successful. It’s an attractive investment, but also a lifestyle choice. When you combine this with members’ appreciation for 24-hour access to our state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, you can begin to understand why the brand has become such an appealing proposition to franchisees.

Chuck Runyon, CEO and co-founder of Anytime Fitness, adds:

This designation as #1 Top Global Franchise is a credit to our international franchise development team and our fabulous group of international master franchisees.”

“Whether it’s the UK, Netherlands or Singapore, our franchisees are providing our members with personal service that gets real results. That personal touch and high level of engagement is what differentiates Anytime Fitness from many other health clubs and what has strengthened and grown our brand worldwide.”

Outside of the U.S., where more than 2,000 Anytime Fitness clubs gyms are located, the countries with the most Anytime Fitness clubs are Australia (411), Canada (105) and Japan (78).

The 100th Anytime Fitness club in Europe will open within the next few weeks and other Anytime Fitness clubs are located in countries as diverse as Qatar, Chile, China and India. Additional countries where Anytime Fitness clubs will open soon include Luxembourg, Wales, Northern Island, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.