Testimonials
Dynamic duo – marrying a love of fitness and business for multi-unit success
Property and hospitality duo, Olga and Gurnake Cheema, had over 15 years combined property investment and hotel management experience when their search for a fitness franchise led them to Snap Fitness in 2021. After opening their first location in Bodmin, Cornwall, in November 2021, Olga and Gurnake became multi-unit investors in February of 2023. Just three months after the launch of their second location in Pontyclun, South Wales, the pair have already seen a return on their investment and are ready to open more!
How we married our skills and experience
“I completed my Masters in Law degree in Poland and immediately went to work for a litigation team for the Millennium Bank in Warsaw, first as a trainee and then securing a permanent position. I wasn’t entirely sure if a career as a legal advisor was for me and so I emigrated to the UK from Poland in 2006, taking a gap year to weigh up my options moving forward,” explains Olga. “I began working as an estate agent, using my experience in the legal sector to help me thrive in my role and this is where I also discovered a love for property management.
During this time, I met my now husband, Gurnake.” Gurnake had worked on construction sites across London, building a portfolio of properties by acquiring businesses which had gone into administration. His strategy was to aquire anything from newsagents to high street shops, which he then completely transformed into functional spaces.
“We found that we made a great partnership on a personal level, but also professionally, one that could help shape our future together. And, after we joined forces in 2007, Gurnake sold a couple of his properties and we used the profit to embark on our hospitality acquisition journey. Even though I completed additional law qualifications to be able to practise law in the UK, by the time our daughter was born, our property portfolio had expanded to such an extent that I decided to concentrate on our family and businesses instead.
“Our first purchase was a hotel in Hastings, followed by a second in East Sussex. Soon after came a further smaller hotel in Hastings in 2014 and a fourth in Spalding in 2017. This decade taught us everything we needed to know about running a hands-on service-led and people-focused business – and we both felt we were ready for a new adventure.”
A new challenge
“Gurnake and I have always had a passion for fitness and the transformative impact it can have on both your body and mind. We’d been searching for an opportunity which would allow us to add a gym to our portfolio since 2012. We’d even thought about starting one from scratch before we eventually found Snap Fitness nine years later in 2021. After visiting Snap Fitness Ebbsfleet, we knew the franchise was exactly what we were looking for, both as business owners and as individuals who wanted to positively impact local communities.
“The turnkey operation is what completely sold the franchise model to us – we knew that from the very beginning of our journey through to the end goal of a successful gym, Snap Fitness would support us every step of the way. From helping us find the perfect site and developing a sound floorplan to aiding in the performance of the gym and offering us ways to increase our member base. We felt excited and confident about investing in Snap, knowing we would never be left floundering by ourselves.”
A successful start
“Whilst we hoped we would be supported as new franchisees, the support we’ve received from the Snap Fitness team has been second to none and exceeded our expectations. The training wasn’t daunting, as it could easily have been, and the team explained what it meant to run a franchise . I love learning new things and I still am to this day – I’m now a member of the franchisee board so I can learn more from people who know more than me! Snap taught us it wasn’t about starting from scratch; it was about coupling our hospitality knowledge with their support to help our gym flourish.
“In just over a year we opened two locations, both of which broke Snap Fitness’ then presale records. Our club in Bodmin opened in November 2021 and very quickly came to profit, thanks to the Snap team going above and beyond to help us grow and improve our member base. When our club in Pontyclun opened, we hit the ground running with over 800 pre-start members which quickly doubled to 1,600 members, making a profit within a few short months. We once dreamed of these figures and now, they’re a reality.”
A fulfilling future as a family
“Being around for our families is important to us and a work-life balance that allows this is essential. The beauty of Snap Fitness and its support structure is that you can be confident your locations will thrive, even when you’re not there. Each day I spend time with my children, and I always find time in the day for myself too. We love what we do, and we get so much energy and inspiration from the Snap Fitness community – it’s like a big family and we love being part of it. I’ve never worked in such an exciting and supportive community.
“If you’re thinking of joining the Snap Fitness franchise, go for it, without hesitation. The health and fitness industry continues to be on an upwards trend and the opportunity is vast. We all fear the unknown but take the plunge! We’ve loved our journey so far and we’re already exploring the potential for opening more locations.”
If you’re ready to join one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, why not get in touch now and take the first step on your new path to changing lives?
Driving network success: from owning a transport business to becoming a multi-unit franchisee
Peter Dhillon, Multi-club franchisee, UK & Ireland
At Snap Fitness, we are used to celebrating the milestones and the progress of our franchisees throughout the network. And it’s fair to say, since opening our first UK club in 2012, our success has been largely down to the great franchisees who strive to grow the brand and help make Snap Fitness a household name. Peter Dhillon is one of those franchisees.
After opening his first Snap Fitness in Neats Court in 2019, Peter has quickly gone on to become a multi-unit owner, opening a further four territories across Dover and Ashford, Warminster and Waterford, with a further three territories secured in Ireland. His most recent gym in Waterford, Ireland – opened 14 months ago – has since become the network’s fastest-growing club, reaching over 2,000 members in just 12 months. However, despite his evident success in the fitness industry, like many franchisees when they first started out, Peter had no fitness industry experience before joining.
How I started out
“I’ve always had an eye for business. After leaving college, my first job was at my uncle’s transportation business where I learned the ins and outs of the industry. Working with my uncle inspired me to eventually start my own transport company, which quickly grew from one van to 30 lorries within five years,” said Peter. “While the financial success of this business was incredible, I worked 15-16 hours a day with no work-life balance, which isn’t okay when you have a family at home. I needed a change, which is when I started looking into franchises.”
My move into franchising
“In 2016, I decided to pursue a new venture away from the transport industry and purchased a dessert franchise. It was a whole new experience but, despite the challenges, I realised that anything was possible when you got the right employees in place and stuck to the franchisor’s processes. This business is now performing very well, and I still own it to this day. However, I wanted to expand my portfolio. I’ve always been passionate about fitness, so when I got the chance to open a gym franchise, I jumped at the opportunity.”
Why I selected Snap Fitness
“After extensively researching the industry and gym franchises in the UK, I decided Snap Fitness was the one for me. In my initial meeting, they showed me how their team could support me in finding a location, the marketing support they could provide and the staff training on offer. Because I already understood the importance of a good support network in franchising, I could see that this brand was a great option.”
Why I’m impressed with Snap Fitness
“Since opening my first Snap Fitness territory, I’ve been hugely impressed with the number of members coming through the door. It’s not uncommon to have well over 150 members on site during peak hours. This is because we have an emphasis on providing the best equipment and offering a welcoming staffed environment, unlike other gyms that settle for lower-spec options and are happy to leave their gyms unmanned.
“The head office team provide both my staff and me with ongoing training and are happy to answer questions whenever I need guidance. Over the last few years, I’ve found that to be successful as a gym owner, having a great team of club managers and support from head office in finding the right locations and offering additional marketing materials is a must. At head office, they also provide a team of dedicated marketing professionals who create outstanding video and social media content for us to use, as well as keep the website looking professional and attractive to potential new members.
“Looking to the future, I’m excited to continue growing my Snap Fitness portfolio. I have a further three territories secured across Ireland in Drogheda, Kilkenny and Swords and am currently in the process of securing the best possible locations for the new sites.”
My advice to future Snap Fitness franchisees
“My advice for anyone considering joining the Snap Fitness network would be to go for it. It worked for me. Despite having no prior knowledge of the industry, the level of support I received was beyond what I could have imagined, from marketing all the way to property management. And with the network continuing to grow and outperform other gym franchises in the UK, now is the perfect time to join this fantastic community.”
If you’re ready to join one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, why not get in touch now and take the first step on your new path to changing lives?
How I became a multi-unit franchisee in just two years
Sam Aujla, Multi-club franchisee UK
For some franchisees, becoming a successful multi-unit owner can be several years in the making. However, for Sam Aujla it only took two. Now operating three Snap Fitness locations in Christchurch, Cross Hands and now Melksham – with three more to come in Ireland – and already servicing close to 4,000 members, Sam believes that hard work and a great franchisor-franchisee relationship are the key ingredients to his franchising success.
How I got started in franchising
After graduating from Nottingham University in 2018 with an accounting degree, Sam found himself exploring career options. He initially stepped into an accounting role in Canary Wharf. However, due to the work-life balance, he soon realised it was not for him. He then teamed up with his dad working in property development and, after a successful year, the pair started looking for franchises to invest in.
“Dad and I decided that franchising would be a great route for us to go down. We noticed how well the fitness industry was performing and decided we wanted to get involved. And after looking into a range of huge fitness franchises, only one really stood out to us – Snap Fitness,” explained Sam.
Why I chose Snap Fitness
“It was clear from the get-go that the brand shared our ambitions – as soon as we met the team, we knew it was the business opportunity for us. In our initial meetings with other brands, it felt like they were more interested in our investment capital. However, the team at Snap Fitness created a great atmosphere and made us feel like they wanted us to succeed. Neither Dad nor I had prior experience in the fitness industry, but they assured us that they would be able to assist us in finding a location, training staff and getting us up to speed with the day-to-day operations.
My experience so far
“It’s been just over two years since we opened our first gym in Christchurch. The team came through on their promises – the support has been amazing. Each department is there to help whenever I have a question or new challenge. The operational support has also been fantastic, as has the help we received in marketing our locations. Over time, I’ve developed my skill set and can confidently say I now understand what it takes to run a franchise – or three.”
“My favourite thing about franchising with Snap Fitness is that we are helping people better themselves. We create a community feel at our gyms, which really makes a difference to our clients. Watching our members become happier, more confident and reach their goals is amazing to see.
“Snap Fitness is different to other gyms on the market because we offer the convenience of training with top-quality equipment and technology – like treadmills and exercise bikes – but at affordable prices, which is something the market has been crying out for. The only evidence you need for this is that the network keeps going from strength to strength and we keep opening new studios. Looking forward, my Dad will be stepping away from the business shortly and my brother I plan on continuing to develop our network of gyms.”
My advice to prospective Snap Fitness franchisees
“My advice for anyone interested in investing with the Snap Fitness brand is that you just need to trust the process. Once you join, you become part of a team full of industry-leading experts. They have been there, done it and got the t-shirt. So, you know you’re in safe hands,” said Sam.
If you’re ready to join one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, why not get in touch now and take the first step on your new path to changing lives?
New franchisees open Snap Fitness in Devises, Wiltshire
Snap Fitness 24/7 has confirmed six further gyms are due to open before the end of 2022 across the UK. One of those currently in build is in Devises, Wiltshire and is being opened by first time Snap Fitness franchisees – Dilveer, Dilpreet, Jasdeep, Kirti, Mitesh and Prakash.
The group first met at University and have since gone on to establish successful careers in the healthcare and financial sectors. They’ve now decided to combine their experience across franchisee ownership in the optical sector, corporate marketing and business analytics and move into fitness.
On behalf of the group, Jasdeep Singh Sihota, explains about their decision to become a Snap Fitness Franchisee and their future aspirations
What made you look at franchising?
We’re a tight knit group of friends who have shared the highs and lows of university, trekking our way around the globe and supported each other as we have operated successful clinics and progressed within our professions.
We have common goals and thirst for success within business which has lead us to seek new opportunities. With Dilveer’s previous experience within the franchising world, we decided to explore the opportunities available and fitness was one sector that excited us.
Why Snap Fitness?
We wanted to enter a quality franchise network which could outperform any peers, one that could provide healthy returns and allow us to scale our operations at a sustainable rate – and the Snap Fitness model can do that.
Additionally, the Snap Fitness brand ethos instantly resonated with us all, we genuinely believe in the company mission and feel we have a bright future with the support the of the team.
What are your future aspirations?
Success for our team is to have a thriving business that outperforms the competition on customer service, experience and business performance. This solid foundation will allow us to positively represent the brand of Snap Fitness and help the franchise network grow from strength to strength – and allow us to expand also!
Raising the bar: lifting London location to new heights
At Snap Fitness, we take great pride in our commitment to attracting and retaining highly skilled and dedicated individuals. Our franchisees have the advantage of accessing a network that offers numerous opportunities for both personal and professional growth. The success of Snap Fitness in the UK since our first club opened in 2012 can be attributed to our exceptional franchisees and their teams. Their relentless commitment to excellence has propelled Snap Fitness to become a leading community first brand in the fitness industry.
John Prior epitomises our brand values and ethos with his commitment to continued professional development, his energy to innovate and his dedication to impacting and improving the lives of those he works with.
Putting experience to good use
Recently opening his first Snap Fitness location in Addlestone, West London, John plans to build on his 15 years’ industry experience, and 10 years with Snap Fitness, to smash pre-sale records for UK clubs.
“I’ve been with the brand since it first came to the UK. After working in the industry for other gym brands, I can say without hesitation that Snap Fitness is the best I’ve ever worked for. I fell in love with Snap and its approach to health and fitness from day one, and I’ve never looked back. As part of my previous role at Snap Fitness as a regional manager for a franchise group, providing leadership across their 10 gym locations. Opening my first franchise is a culmination of all the time and energy I’ve invested in the brand. I’m so proud to be opening my very own Snap Fitness – hopefully the first of many.”
Inclusive gyms
“Everyone has a reason to exercise, and I’m committed to giving people an opportunity to participate in whatever type of movement they enjoy most. My experience working in our gyms has shown me the importance of creating a safe and inclusive place for everybody. Giving members something to aim for, being a support and cheering people on when they need it most is so rewarding and fulfilling – it’s one of the main drivers for doing what I do. Seeing the positive impact fitness can bring will always inspire me. I get so much gratification from taking everything I’ve learnt on my journey and knowing all the challenges have been worth it.”
Support and training
“The training for franchisees at Snap Fitness is so comprehensive and the brand standards are clear. I’m so grateful for the support and guidance – with people to mentor and train you, it makes it possible to meet and exceed targets, feeling empowered to make decisions and take ownership. Having opened clubs with my current franchisee I saw first-hand the value of the support the Snap team provide and we’re off to a fantastic start with my location – they’ve supported me in finding my location, devising floor plans and fitting it with equipment, building the marketing plan and we’re now focused on practical training for my team.”
“The emphasis on equipping the gym with state-of-the-art equipment and the focus on creating a welcoming environment with the club team on hand to offer guidance and support is the perfect foundation for providing superior customer service to attract and retain members.”
“The support office team offers comprehensive and continuous training for both my team and me. They are readily available to address any queries or provide guidance as needed. The support office provide us with a dedicated team of marketing professionals who have produced exceptional video and social media content, ensuring our online presence remains polished and appealing to potential new members. Their expertise extends to maintaining an attractive and professional website, enhancing our ability to attract prospective members.”
“I can’t wait to see what I can create at Addlestone I’m excited to create a supportive community. Looking to the future, my dream is to grow my Snap Fitness portfolio. There are so many opportunities here at Snap Fitness – my journey is going to be amazing.”
My advice to future Snap Fitness franchisees
“My advice for anyone considering joining the Snap Fitness network would be to trust in the brand and make that leap – make your dreams come true. The brand is there every step of the way to support you, mitigating risk. You really do get out what you put in, and hard work and commitment will pay off. Snap Fitness is leading the way in the fitness industry – the energy, positivity and sense of community in the network is incredible.”
If you are ready to join one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, why not get in touch now and take the first step on your new path to changing lives?
