ShapeXpress vs Bally Total Fitness Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of ShapeXpress vs Bally Total Fitness including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
ShapeXpress Franchise
Bally Total Fitness Franchise
Investment $89,500 - $152,000$1,000,000 - $2,500,000
Franchise Fee $20,000N/A
Royalty Fee Varies-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 20021962
Year Franchised 20031997
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $2.5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
ShapeXpress Franchise
Bally Total Fitness Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Sales skills, previous employee supervision skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Bally Total Fitness Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Bally Total Fitness Franchise
    Training Ongoing-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising-
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (35% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Bally Total Fitness Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About ShapeXpress

    NO LONGER FRANCHISING

    Proven results for members AND franchisees! Join our success in the $14.8 billion fitness industry! ShapeXpress for Women is setting the standard for women's only fitness franchise opportunities. "Amazing support from the corporate office." That's what our franchisees are saying about ShapeXpress. Support in every area of starting and operating your club: finding a location, negotiating a lease, decor & build-out, financing, marketing, membership sales, daily operations, billing, member tracking, hiring and more. Each franchisee is assigned a Franchise Support Executive to personally assist with setting goals and addressing concerns. Weekly conference calls keep our franchisees in communication with our corporate office and each other. Among U.S. franchises, 65% consist of fewer than 100 stores and 49% have under 50 locations. Compare this to ShapeXpress, which in its first 3 years of offering, has sold over 300 franchises!

    About Bally Total Fitness

    NO LONGER FRANCHISING