Special Feature
Why did you decide to go into franchising, and why Anytime Fitness?
I decided to go into franchising as I wanted to start my own business but felt the support of the franchise would benefi t me, given that I had not previously run my own business. I decided on Anytime Fitness as I liked the look of the brand and they seemed to have a successful business model.
Anytime Fitness John Quin
John discovered Anytime Fitness in 2015; after doing lots of research, he signed up for his fi rst territory in Farnham.
Who is the main target market for your franchise? Anyone looking to get fi t. This ranges from people who are 18 years old and upwards, people looking for weight loss, muscle building, general fi tness or specifi c sports training, or just those seeking a slightly healthier lifestyle.
What are the advantages of working in the health industry? You get to see people make improvements to their health, whilst also gaining confi dence and satisfaction from achieving their goals. This can be very rewarding as a business owner as you feel that what you’re providing is genuinely benefi ting people.
Has the industry changed at all in recent years? I worked in the fi tness industry briefl y 20 years ago, and I have only been back in the fi eld for a couple of years now. In that time I would say that I have certainly noticed huge technology improvements like being able to use your phone or fi tness tracker and syncing up to machines you are using. Virtual fi tness classes were certainly not around when I was last in the industry. I also think that functional fi tness training is becoming more popular and
we’re also seeing much more of a culture of fi tness.
How is business going so far? Have you faced any challenges in particular?
The business is going well. We are just around our breakeven point at the moment but that certainly hasn’t been without its challenges. The fi tness industry seems to have a relatively high turnover of staff , which can prove frustrating at times.
What was the training and support from the franchisor like? The initial franchisee training was thorough and it covered everything you needed to be able to start your Anytime Fitness journey.
What advice would you give to anyone considering a franchise in the fi tness industry? Make sure you do your research into the franchisor you are considering and also carry out your due diligence on any areas you are considering opening a business in.
Look at the competition and the market in the area. Be prepared to work very hard and put in plenty of hours in the early days and make sure you get your business off to the best possible start.
What do you foresee for the future of your business?
I hope to take the business over the next year from breaking even up to capacity. I have recently employed a new manager who I’m hoping will be able to take over the running of the business for me, giving me more time to spend with my family.
44 |
BusinessFranchise.com | December/January 2017
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
