Contours Express vs UFC Gym Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Contours Express Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
Investment $35,000 - $50,000$199,000 - $4,213,000
Franchise Fee $12,500$30,000 - $50,000
Royalty Fee $395/mo.4%-6%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19981992
Year Franchised 19982004
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Contours Express Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Contours Express Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs No/No-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
Inventory No/No-/-
Receivables No/No-/Yes
Payroll No/No-/Yes

Training & Support
 
Contours Express Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
Training -On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Available
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet

# Protected Territory # 5 days of Training at Contours Express University # 3-Day Training at your gym # Adjustable Weight Stack Equipment # 16 Stations - 4 extra stations optional # Butt-n-Gut cd # Preferred Vendor Discounts # Unlimited Ongoing Training # Advertising and Marketing Advice # 24/7 Online Marketing Materials Library # Personal Gym Website # Prepared PowerPoint Marketing Presentations # Nutritional Counseling Program - C.O.R.E. # Site Selection Assistance

Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad slicksAd Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
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. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 3 - 5

Expansion Plans
 
Contours Express Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About Contours Express

After operating coed clubs, working as consultants and working in other areas of the fitness industry, Daren Carter, Mike Widener and Charlie Woodward joined forces to create a fitness center just for women. In 1998, the partners founded Contours Express, a women-only center catering to towns with populations too small to support a full-scale, coed gym.

Contours Express members follow a 29-minute cue tape that keeps them moving through aerobic stations and strength training machines. A fitness trainer (the franchisee or an employee) works with the members during their workouts, providing motivation and other services.

Clubs, which are usually located in strip centers, are about 1,200 square feet in size and can accommodate up to 20 members at a time.

About UFC Gym

For the first time ever, qualified candidates can own a UFC GYM franchise. This is a ground-breaking opportunity to partner with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Simply put, owning a UFC GYM is a chance to join the fastest growing, most successful fitness franchise and partner with the UFC. UFC GYM franchisees are backed by a solid management foundation, instant brand recognition and a successful boxing, kickboxing and MMA fitness franchise. UFC GYM is built on a partnership between the UFC, NeV and UG Franchise Operations (formerly LA Boxing Franchise Co.). This creates a solid three-pillar franchise with unlimited ability for global growth. UFC GYMs are currently open in the U.S. and Australia, with more than 170 locations open or sold in 25 states. Most facilities feature a functional training area, Octagon or 1/2 Octagon, a bag area with 30 heavy bags, cutting-edge cardio and strength equipment, private training and retail - all areas of potential income for a UFC GYM franchisee. We have multiple levels of opportunity for investment in UFC GYM with facilities ranging from 6,000-10,000 sq. ft.

Most markets require a two to three unit commitment.
The total initial investment for a Class model UFC GYM ranges from $199,500 to $393,500, which includes fees that must be paid to the franchisor for the initial franchise fee, the equipment for the GYM, a retail package and music licensing. Such fees paid to the franchisor will range between $154,500 and $198,500, depending on the size of your Class UFC GYM and amenities selected.
The total initial investment for a Core model UFC GYM ranges from $368,500 to $1,062,500, which includes fees that must be paid to the franchisor for the initial franchise fee, the equipment for the GYM, a retail package and music licensing. Such fees paid to the franchisor will range between $202,500 and $326,000 depending on the size of your Core UFC GYM and amenities selected.
The total initial investment for a Signature model UFC GYM ranges from $1,080,000 to $4,213,000, which includes fees that must be paid to the franchisor for the initial franchise fee, the equipment for the GYM, a retail package and music licensing. Such fees paid to the franchisor will range between $646,000 and $1,466,000, depending on the size of your Signature UFC GYM and amenities selected. Franchisees who also obtain development rights must pay the franchisor the corresponding Initial Franchise Fee for each additional UFC GYM business to be opened.
Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee

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