Special Feature
Anytime Fitness Mike Racz, 34
Mike started franchising at the age of 23 when he opened his first business in Hartlepool. In the 10 years since then, he has been busy growing various national brands, including Anytime Fitness and Costa. He currently operates 27 sites in total.
How has investing in a franchise changed your lifestyle? Has your work-life balance improved? It’s not franchising that takes over the majority of your life, it’s having the responsibility for others and for your business. Frankly, you need to be ready to put business above much else if you want to be successful. I have to say, however, that Anytime Fitness is the most relaxing business I have ever run.
What drew you to franchising? The proven model and the ease of doing business. When you start out, you have plenty to think about, from training staff to managing your books. When you franchise, you don’t worry so much about things like finding and negotiating prices with suppliers, or designing a website and logo.
Why did you choose Anytime Fitness in particular?
up on precious family time while still managing your business. Growing a franchise at your own pace allows you to balance work and life in a manner that suits you the most. Here, eight franchisees reveal how they take full advantage of the flexibility that comes with a franchise...
I have a passion for fitness and I’m a professional franchisee, so it was a natural fit. Anytime Fitness has a huge growth potential so there is definitely money to be made as well. Finally, let’s not forget that in this business you really can change people’s lives, and they will enter and leave your facility happy, as long as you provide a great environment, support and a smile!
Do you have plans to grow the business in the future? Growth is the only thing that matters in this business. If you don’t grow, somebody else will. I respect business owners who have one club only and make a good living out of it, but for me the opportunity is vast and I can’t let it slip.
What advice would you give potential franchisees? Just because it’s franchising, it’s certainly not easy. However, it’s more likely that you will be successful and for that you pay a premium. That’s why you should consider franchising – failure is much less of an option.
I think any potential franchisee should
learn the business from the bottom up. If you are an investor you set yourself up for a painful ride – operate, manage, lead, and then scale up.
September 2016 |
BusinessFranchise.com | 27
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 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122