Curves vs Access Fitness Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Curves Franchise
Access Fitness Franchise
Investment $115,600 - $243,200N/A
Franchise Fee $39,900N/A
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 1992-
Year Franchised 1995-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Curves Franchise
Access Fitness Franchise
Experience
  • Financially stable
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Curves Franchise
    Access Fitness Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Curves Franchise
    Access Fitness Franchise
    Training At regional meetings (full day), convention (3 days), local events (1 day)-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising-
    Operations 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Curves Franchise
    Access Fitness Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Curves

    At the age of 20, pre-med student Gary Heavin had taken over a failing fitness center in Houston, turning the business around and, within five years, opened six more centers. After 10 years and 17 centers, Heavin's business went under. Not wanting to give up, Heavin took lessons from the strengths and weaknesses of his first chain and decided to open a second. In 1992, Heavin opened Curves for Women, a women-only fitness center, in Harlingen, Texas. The company began franchising in 1995.

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    About Access Fitness

    NO LONGER FRANCHISING

    There is one major difference between Access Fitness and other similar fitness franchises. You will buy directly from the strength equipment manufacturer, and therefore the customer will find a well balanced company with deep roots within the industry. We offer customized weight lifting equipment that is easy to operate and easy on the body. Access Fitness was started by Pioneer Strength Equipment as a subsidiary. So the value of what you get for the money is unmatched. All equipment is designed and built especially for Access Fitness by Pioneer Strength Equipment. Our equipment is designed with you in mind. We know you want real conditioning equipment that meets your individual workout styles.