Is a Fitness Franchise Right for You? Key Considerations and How to Start

Health and wellbeing is the smart place to put your money today. With the industry experiencing continued growth year on year, investing in a fitness franchise gives you access to a high-intent, established customer base.

Tapping into this rich market of health and wellness seekers will help your new franchise business grow far faster than if you were to begin from scratch. However, that doesn’t mean that purchasing a fitness franchise is an easy way to make an income. Owning a fitness franchise still takes a lot of hard work to bring those customers in initially – and keep them coming back.

Thankfully, many fitness franchise brands offer extensive support packages to help you get started. From using a well-established brand name to all-round business development support, there are extensive benefits to going down the fitness franchise route rather than setting up as an independent.

However, different fitness franchise brands offer varying levels of investment in you as a franchise owner. Choosing the wrong option could be a costly mistake that compromises your current capital. Therefore, before you make any decisions, it’s important to have all the facts so you can be certain that the fitness franchise route is right for you.

Is Owning a Gym Franchise Profitable?

Before finalizing any franchise purchase, it’s important to consider if this business aligns with your financial goals – put simply, is owning a fitness center profitable?

The answer to this will depend entirely on the franchise brand you choose, as well as the type (and extent) of support offered to franchisees. Whether you’re a first-time investor or expanding your portfolio in a new industry, start-up support is crucial to long-term success.

Understanding the support package of each potential franchise, and comparing these during the research phase, can lead to confusion as to which brand is offering the best value for your money. If you want to learn from the mistakes of others while successfully navigating the pitfalls of franchise ownership yourself, it’s a good idea to work alongside a franchise consulting team with extensive, up-to-date knowledge of the fitness industry.

With the right consultant team, you can benefit from unparalleled knowledge and experience – without making the most common, and often expensive, mistakes yourself.

Turning a fitness franchise into a profitable business is much easier and faster when you have the right support in place from the start. Some franchise owners are reporting revenues in millions of dollars, whilst others are in the low six figures. Making an informed choice before laying down your capital is the best way to achieve your financial goals.

How Much Does a Fitness Franchise Cost?

Costs vary between brands. Typically, those brands offering more business support, access to high-quality equipment, an established brand name, as well as a well-defined marketing pack will involve a higher investment of capital at the outset. However, the boost towards achieving your full potential as a fitness franchise owner helps achieve your goals faster than setting up a solo venture.

Aside from the initial capital investment, there may also be ongoing fees to be paid from your revenue which will impact future profitability. Fees may include annual franchise fees, royalties, or a contribution towards marketing activities that benefit the brand as a whole. Other business expenses should also be considered before making your decision, such as the cost of insurance, equipment maintenance, and staff.

To get the best deal possible, it’s worthwhile speaking with a specialized franchise consultant, such as Guerrilla Franchising, who can help you compare and contrast the various costs and benefits of top fitness franchise opportunities.

What Do You Need to Start a Fitness Business?

If you’re ready to start your fitness business, it’s important to do your research. Researching the location, local demand for fitness centers, and competition in the area can help you narrow down the best options. Researching possible franchise opportunities, as well as comparing the start-up costs, and the benefits included, and perhaps even speaking with other franchise owners will help you determine the best opportunity available.

Understanding your finances is a crucial step in starting a fitness business – particularly if this is your first time as a franchise or business owner. Find out as much information before you sign any contracts to ensure that you have a complete grasp of the ongoing costs associated with your venture, as well as what support is offered for your investment.

Thorough research is the tried and tested way to an informed decision.

Anyone can own a fitness franchise, you don’t have to be incredibly knowledgeable about the industry overall – however, it will help in the long term if you invest in a particular interest – whether you love athletics, yoga, or dancing, having some insider knowledge will certainly be an asset as you grow your franchise.

Choosing The Right Fitness Franchise for You

For some, it’s a simple choice to open a new franchise with a brand they’ve been loyal to for years. This passion translates into their day-to-day business, but it’s not a possible scenario for everyone. While brand loyalty means they have more familiarity with the brand’s approach to business, your favorite fitness center may not have franchising opportunities.

For example, some wonder is Fitness Connection a franchise? While it’s a large company with many locations throughout the country, it does not offer franchising opportunities. There are, however, opportunities available with other big names such as Anytime Fitness, Planet Fitness, and Snap Fitness.

With so many options available, it can be difficult to settle on a final decision without the help of a professional. Matching your interests and goals with the right franchise opportunity helps protect your capital and significantly improves your chances of landing a beneficial and worthwhile deal that can bolster your income for years to come. Speak with Guerrilla Franchising if you would like professional input from an experienced consultant as you navigate the variety of choices available.

The Benefits of Owning a Fitness Franchise

The fitness industry is growing more valuable by the day, making it a worthwhile venture and a productive way to invest in your future. However, the experiences of those who have opened a solo venture versus those who have relied on the proven business models of successful franchises are quite different.

  • A step-by-step business model for guidance
  • Access to the right training and ongoing support for seamless operations
  • Assistance in finding the right location as well as access to company vendors (possibly some discounts too) on state-of-the-art equipment
  • Finance support (whether that’s sourcing initial investment capital or staying in control of long-term income and expenses)

Get Ready for Your Fitness Franchise Journey

To begin, research and reflection are the best ways to find out if owning a fitness franchise is right for you. If you would like to make the right decision first time, give Guerrilla Franchising a call or send a message to discover how a specialized consultant can help take the uncertainty from the process while getting you to your franchise ownership goals faster and smarter.

Top Home Services Franchises to Invest in in 2025

Our homes are constantly in need of servicing. From plumbing to pest control, from landscaping to home security installations, there’s always something that needs to be done. Homeowners are constantly relying on skilled technicians and service providers to ensure their homes remain safe, comfortable, and functional, making home services one of the best franchises to own. On-demand services are on the rise and with online apps and platforms available it has never been easier to book home maintenance and repair professionals.

Whether it’s an emergency repair or routine upkeep, home services are playing a huge role in making life that little bit easier for homeowners.

In this article, we will identify the top home services franchises to invest in 2025 in the USA.

What are Home Services?

Home services refer to a variety of professional solutions designed to maintain, repair, and enhance residential properties. These services include, but are not limited to, electrical work, HVAC maintenance, plumbing, roofing, pest control, and appliance repair. Some other home service franchise examples are house cleaning, landscaping, home security installation, and smart home automation; these are more commonly known as convenience-based services.

Homeowners and renters will always need these services to ensure the longevity of their property’s systems and appliances.

Why Invest in a Franchise?

Building a business from the ground up is not an easy task, so for some, investing in a franchise is the next best thing. A franchise conveniently comes with a proven business model, brand recognition, and ongoing support. Unlike starting a business from scratch, a franchise provides access to an established customer base, marketing strategies, and operational systems that have already been tested for success.

Another huge advantage of investing in a franchise is the fact that it is much easier to access financial backing, as banks and investors are often more willing to fund a franchise with a strong reputation.

While a large chunk of the work has already been done for you, owning a franchise still requires a lot of hard work and effort to maintain the brand standard. However, having a ready-built business with a supportive network makes franchise ownership a strategic investment for aspiring business owners.

The Top 9 Best and Worst Franchises to Invest in

Top 5 Best Franchises

In 2025, the home franchise concepts are a smart investment as they offer promising opportunities due to consistent demand and diverse service needs:

  • Mr. Handyman: Operating since 1996, they specialize in home repair and maintenance.
  • The Glass Guru: Experts in glass repair and replacement services, from window repairs to new shower enclosures.
  • PuroClean: With over 400 franchise offices across North America, they offer fire and smoke damage remediation to biohazard cleanup.
  • DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen: Specializing in home remodeling, providing services in bath and kitchen renovations.
  • NaturaLawn of America: Providing natural and organic-based lawn care services.

Top 4 Worst Franchises

Not all franchises are worth investing in. Some come with risks that aren’t worth taking:

  1. High-Risk Food Franchises (Especially Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt)
    • Why? High overhead costs, seasonal demand, and intense competition.
    • Issues: Expensive ingredients, high franchise fees, and maintaining year-round demand.
  2. Low-Margin Convenience Stores & Gas Stations
    • Why? Razor-thin profit margins, high operational costs, and dependence on fluctuating fuel prices.
  3. Fitness Franchises (Especially Boutique Gyms)
    • Why? Market saturation, high competition, and expensive equipment.
  4. Vending Machine & ATM Franchises
    • Why? Low profitability, reliance on high foot traffic, and expensive franchise fees.

Are Home Service Brands Profitable Franchises?

Home service brands can be highly profitable franchises due to consistent demand. Essential services like plumbing, electrical work, HVAC maintenance, and cleaning are always required, ensuring steady business year-round. Many home service franchises have low overhead costs and rely on mobile operations.

Established brand recognition and franchisor support help franchisees attract customers quickly. With repeat clients, subscription-based maintenance plans, and emergency service needs, home service franchises offer multiple revenue streams. When managed efficiently, they provide strong profit potential and long-term financial stability.

FAQ

What is the number 1 most profitable franchise?

Profitability varies based on location, market demand, and management. However, McDonald’s consistently ranks as one of the most profitable franchises due to its established brand presence and proven business model.

Does it cost $10,000 to own a Chick-fil-A franchise?

Yes, Chick-fil-A’s starter fee is $10,000, making it one of the best franchises to own for beginners. However, Chick-fil-A follows a unique business model where franchisees do not own the location and must adhere to strict company guidelines.

What is the fastest-growing franchise in the USA?

As of February 2025, fast-growing franchises include The Now Massage, Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Stratus Building Solutions, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and Goosehead Insurance.

What is the largest home service company?

Neighborly is a leading home service parent company, overseeing more than 30 home service brands with over 5,000 franchise locations across six countries.

If you want to invest in a franchise but don’t have time for thorough research, contact Guerrilla Franchising today. We’ll do the hard work so you don’t have to.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Franchise

The road to purchasing a franchise is often paved with pitfalls. Thankfully, the franchise model has been around for long enough that we can learn from the mistakes of others as they teach us what not to do, as much as they show us what to do.

The franchise model is attractive to potential business owners as the brands involved often have foolproof business plans and marketing packages that really help you out when you’re getting started. The same can be said of common mistakes. Some brands will offer you a realistic look in their FAQs that acknowledge easy-to-make mistakes while advising you how to prevent yourself from making the same blunders.

When you’re looking into buying a franchise there are several key points to keep in mind. These will save you time, money, and hassle in the long run.

What Are the Advantages and Pitfalls of Buying a Franchise?

The advantages of buying a franchise are primarily the well-defined and extensive support networks available to new franchisees. Franchises typically have a lot of data that can help you visualize your path to success. Many franchises also offer tried and tested business model blueprints, while also having key information on successful marketing tactics and customer acquisition. This prevents learning by trial and error, saving time and money in the long term.

However, an informed decision means being aware of the challenges of buying a franchise. As with other business investments, it’s imperative that you have full control over your budget. Franchises come with a wide scale of initial investments, ongoing contributions via fees and royalties, as well as the actual running costs themselves. A full financial analysis is necessary to ensure that you can both cover the capital investment and have some money available to maintain your business while you’re building your customer relationships.

Many questions will arise during your research. Make sure you have the answers before signing any agreements.

Questions to Ask When Buying a Franchise

Franchise problems arise when the right questions have not been asked or answered. It seems a very transparent and straightforward way to business ownership, but not all franchises are the right fit.

Some questions you must ask yourself:

  • Should I buy a franchise?
  • Is this the right industry for me?
  • Am I passionate about this franchise?
  • Do the brand’s values align with my values?

These questions can be answered with in-depth research and self-reflection. When you’ve narrowed down to a few options, try speaking with the brand’s franchise representative and other franchisees. This will help you determine if the franchise is a perfect match.

Reaching out to other franchisees is the best way to get a realistic understanding of the day-to-day business from lived experience. Owning a business can be tough, so there’s no point in ignoring the challenges. Having a well-rounded understanding of the benefits as well as the challenges of buying a franchise will help you decide if this is the type of challenge you want. Overall, you will make a more informed decision and face fewer surprises down the line.

Other questions to ask focus on the potential success of your business:

  • Is the location ideal?
  • Is there a demand for this product/service in this place?
  • What competition is nearby?
  • Does this brand have local support/reflect the values of the community?
  • What is the capital investment?
  • What are the ongoing costs to run the franchise?
  • What support is available from the franchise headquarters?

The more questions you ask, the more likely you are to have a complete picture of the expectations and implications of buying the franchise. While investment values vary to the extreme, more knowledge can help reduce the risks of investment.

Franchise Problems and Examples

Learning from past mistakes will help you leap forward to success. Take Quiznos for example. By putting too much financial strain on franchise owners, without offering much in return, individual franchises failed to make enough profit to stay afloat. Poor management and unsustainable costs resulted in a poor return for Red Lobster. After ruling the market for years, Blockbuster eventually closed after failing to adapt to changing market forces and consumer preferences. Pizza Hut lost out on the lion’s share of the pizza market to Dominoes after becoming too comfortable with the status quo. 7/11 owners took on too much debt for expansion plans and were caught short by a shifting economy.

Others have paved the way so that we don’t have to repeat these unfortunate examples. That’s why it’s important for you to vet your potential franchise relationships to ensure that you avoid tying your capital investment up in a web of mismanagement and economic short-sightedness.

Reasons Why Not to Buy a Franchise?

As specialist franchising consultants, the team here at Guerrilla Franchising is often asked “What is the most significant disadvantage of owning a franchise?” This is very subjective, however through our extensive work with franchisees, we’ve concluded that it’s the limited control over the business that most disappoints franchise owners.

Depending on your goals and circumstances, this could of course be of benefit to you. Many entrepreneurs are eager to get started in business ownership by following a defined, airtight blueprint while having a support network available to help when needed. However, some can become disillusioned by the rigid parameters set by the brand.

The full extent of what the brand expects and what controls you have should be set out in the franchise agreement. These can be overwhelming for newcomers to the franchise world. Having a lawyer or franchise consultant look over your agreement alongside you can make sure there are no clauses missed and that you are fully aware of the extent of control you have over your franchise business.

The franchise agreement will detail all the benefits you will receive (such as support, access to suppliers, etc.) as well as the expectations the brand has of you. A close reading of the agreement will help you decide if this is 1) worth the capital investment, and 2) a relationship that you can be happy with for years to come.

Should I Buy a Franchise?

There are hundreds of thousands of franchises open in the US. Some of the top-performing brands are doing exceptionally well, with franchises pulling in significant revenue. Success stories can be deceptively intoxicating, but it’s important to remember that not all franchises are roaring successes.

Whether or not you should buy a franchise is a very personal decision. The best way to come to a solid resolution is to research, research, research. Asking questions beyond the surface, and beyond the glamorous idea of packing in the 9-5 or investing in your retirement. There are very significant issues to contend with before you reach that stage.

Buying a franchise is not as simple as it first appears, and making the wrong decision could be a costly mistake. If you have a lot of capital on the line, it’s wise to reach out to a franchising consultant specialist who can use their industry knowledge and experience to help you find the best and most suitable deal for you.

For more information about the Guerrilla Franchising system for success, let us know by filling out our contact form and providing as much detail as possible so we can help you the best way we can.