Frequently Asked Questions

The full comparison report includes all 39 fitness franchises side by side in a standardized format. You get:

• Startup costs — investment ranges for every brand
• Ongoing fees — royalties and marketing fees compared
• Item 19 data — average unit volumes when disclosed
• Growth signals — unit counts and year-over-year changes
• Category breakdowns — boutique studios vs. big-box gyms vs. personal training

The goal is to help you shortlist 3–5 brands faster by seeing how they compare on the metrics that matter most.

We use the most recent publicly available FDDs, typically from 2025 or 2026. Franchisors are required to update their FDD annually within 120 days of their fiscal year end.

Each report clearly shows when it was last updated so you know exactly which FDD year the data comes from. If a franchisor releases a new FDD, we update our data accordingly.

All data comes directly from official Franchise Disclosure Documents filed by franchisors. We extract information from:

• Item 5 — Initial franchise fees
• Item 6 — Ongoing royalties and other fees
• Item 7 — Estimated initial investment
• Item 19 — Financial performance representations (when disclosed)
• Item 20 — Unit counts and outlet status

We don't rely on franchisor marketing materials, broker estimates, or third-party databases. Everything is sourced from the legal disclosure documents.

Currently, Franchise Lens focuses exclusively on fitness franchises—gyms, boutique studios, personal training concepts, and wellness-adjacent brands.

We chose to go deep on one category rather than spread thin across many. This lets us provide more context, better comparisons, and more useful analysis for people specifically evaluating fitness franchise opportunities.

An FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document) is a legal document that franchisors must provide to prospective buyers in the United States. It's required by the FTC's Franchise Rule and contains 23 standardized items covering:

• All fees you'll pay (upfront and ongoing)
• The total estimated investment range
• Litigation history and bankruptcy filings
• Franchisee turnover data
• Financial performance data (if the franchisor chooses to disclose it)
• The franchisor's audited financial statements

Think of it as the franchise's fact sheet. For a deeper explanation, see our full guide: What is an FDD?

Item 19 is the section of the FDD where franchisors can disclose financial performance data—things like average revenue, gross sales, or profitability metrics for existing franchise locations.

Here's the catch: Item 19 is optional. Franchisors are not required to include it. Roughly 60–70% of fitness franchises include some Item 19 data, but the depth and usefulness varies significantly. One brand might show median gross revenue; another might show only top-quartile locations.

When evaluating franchises, Item 19 can help you estimate potential returns—but you need to understand exactly what's being disclosed (and what's being left out).

No, they're different documents with different purposes:

• FDD — A disclosure document that provides information about the franchise system. It tells you what you're getting into before you commit.
• Franchise Agreement — The legal contract you sign if you decide to move forward. It's the binding commitment that governs your relationship with the franchisor.

The FDD is the fact sheet; the franchise agreement is the contract. You should receive and review the FDD at least 14 days before signing any agreement or paying any money.

Franchisors are legally required to provide their FDD to anyone who requests it during the sales process. You can:

• Request directly — Contact the franchise development team and ask for a copy
• State registries — Some states (California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and others) maintain public FDD databases
• Paid databases — Services like FRANdata compile FDDs, though access can be expensive

Keep in mind that you'll need to provide contact information to request an FDD directly, which puts you into the franchisor's sales pipeline.

For initial research, focus on these items first:

• Item 5 — Initial franchise fees
• Item 7 — Total estimated investment (this shows the full startup cost range)
• Item 19 — Financial performance data, if disclosed
• Item 20 — Unit counts and turnover (how many have opened, closed, or transferred)

These four items give you the financial picture and a sense of system health. Later, review Item 6 (ongoing fees), Item 3 (litigation), and Item 21 (franchisor financials) for deeper due diligence.

Fitness franchise investment ranges vary significantly by concept type:

• Boutique studios (cycling, yoga, Pilates) — typically $150,000 to $500,000
• Personal training studios — typically $100,000 to $400,000
• 24-hour gyms — typically $500,000 to $2,000,000+
• Large-format gyms — can exceed $3,000,000 for flagship locations

These ranges come from Item 7 of the FDD and include buildout, equipment, signage, initial marketing, and working capital. Actual costs depend on location, size, and market conditions.

See our cost directory for brand-specific investment ranges.

Most fitness franchises charge ongoing royalties between 5% and 8% of gross revenue. Marketing or ad fund fees typically add another 1% to 3%.

Some brands use flat monthly fees instead of percentage-based royalties, which can be advantageous for higher-volume locations. A few concepts also charge technology fees or brand fees on top of the standard royalty.

Our comparison report breaks down all ongoing fees by brand so you can compare the true ongoing cost of ownership.

Our current comparison includes 39 fitness franchise brands across multiple categories:

• Boutique fitness studios (cycling, HIIT, rowing, yoga, Pilates, barre)
• Personal training and small-group training concepts
• 24-hour and value gyms
• Full-service and large-format gyms
• Recovery and wellness concepts

We regularly add new brands as they become relevant or as we receive reader requests. If there's a brand you'd like us to cover, let us know.

Boutique fitness studios focus on a single modality (cycling, yoga, HIIT, etc.) in smaller spaces with premium pricing and class-based models. They typically require lower startup capital but depend heavily on class attendance and membership density.

Traditional gyms (24-hour or full-service) offer broader equipment and services in larger footprints. They require higher capital investment but can generate more revenue per location with diversified income streams (memberships, personal training, retail).

Neither is inherently better—it depends on your capital, goals, market, and operational preferences. Our comparison helps you see the economics of both models side by side.

Because reports are digital with instant access, we don't offer refunds after purchase. Once you complete your order, you'll have immediate access to download the report.

We recommend previewing the sample pages on our product pages before buying to make sure the report contains what you need. The samples show the exact format, data points, and level of detail you'll receive.

After completing your purchase, you'll receive:

• An immediate download link on the confirmation page
• An email with the download link (check spam if you don't see it)

Reports are delivered as PDF files that you can save, print, or share as needed. There's no login required—you own the file.

Yes. When you purchase a report, you can share it with partners, advisors, or family members involved in your franchise evaluation process.

We ask that you don't post reports publicly or redistribute them commercially—but sharing within your immediate decision-making team is absolutely fine.

If you're a franchise consultant, advisor, or organization that needs multiple reports or ongoing access, reach out to us directly. We can discuss custom arrangements depending on your needs.

No. Franchise Lens does not accept referral fees, broker commissions, or any compensation from franchisors. We only make money when you buy a report—not when you buy a franchise.

This matters because franchise brokers typically earn $15,000–$30,000+ when they refer someone who signs a franchise agreement. That creates an incentive to steer you toward brands that pay the highest commissions, not necessarily the brands that fit your goals.

Our business model keeps us independent. We have no financial interest in which franchise you choose.

No. Franchisors do not pay for inclusion in our reports, and they have no editorial input on how we present their data. We extract information directly from their FDDs and present it as objectively as possible.

We cover brands based on their relevance to the fitness franchise market, not based on who pays us.

Everything we publish comes directly from official FDDs—legal documents that franchisors are required to file. We don't rely on marketing materials, sales presentations, or broker estimates.

We show our sources clearly and tell you exactly which FDD year each data point comes from. If a franchisor doesn't disclose something (like Item 19), we note that explicitly rather than filling in with guesses.

That said, we always recommend verifying critical numbers yourself. Our reports are a research starting point, not a replacement for your own due diligence with the actual FDD, franchise attorney, and accountant.

No. Franchise Lens provides informational research tools only. Our reports and content are not legal, financial, or investment advice.

Before making any franchise investment decision, you should consult with a franchise attorney, accountant, and other qualified professionals who can review your specific situation.