Max Muscle vs Athlete's Foot Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Max Muscle vs Athlete's Foot including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Max Muscle Franchise
Athlete's Foot Franchise
Investment $114,600 - $281,300$201,600 - $640,300
Franchise Fee $75,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 3%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19881972
Year Franchised 20011973
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee $1.5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Max Muscle Franchise
Athlete's Foot Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Max Muscle Franchise
    Athlete's Foot Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/YesNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Max Muscle Franchise
    Athlete's Foot Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 15% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 5

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 21% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Max Muscle Franchise
    Athlete's Foot Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Max Muscle

    Joe Wells founded Max Muscle in 1991. Joe's success stems from his college degree in business and marketing combined with his long-standing passion for weight training and nutrition. After being introduced to amino acids for muscle recovery by the late Lyle Alzado, Joe's teammate on the L.A. Raiders, Joe was inspired to formulate one of the first low molecular amino acid formulas for athletes. His formula quickly became the #1 selling sports nutrition amino acid in the country. Today, Joe stands at the helm of the rapidly growing
    Max Muscle empire, a leader in the production of high quality sports nutrition products and the country's fastest growing sport nutrition retail chain. JOE WELLS AND SEAN GREENE - ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR, 1998 as VOTED BY THE ACADEMY OF BODYBUILDING FITNESS AND SPORTS FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY HAVE MADE IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY Sean Greene joined forces with Joe Wells as President of Max Muscle in 1994. Sean earned his bachelor's degree in exercise physiology with an emphasis in human nutrition and a minor in business management from the University of Florida. Also fueled by a passion for fitness and nutrition, Sean won numerous amateur bodybuilding titles and assisted top professors in exercise testing and cutting-edge research in exercise performance. Sean has also developed and implemented corporate wellness programs for many of San Diego's largest companies, including General Dynamics, and has trained with many top professional bodybuilders and athletes. A leader in the sports nutrition industry since 1991, Max Muscle produces and distributes its own line of popular high-quality sports nutrition supplements as well as a complete line of workout and casual wear for today's active consumer.
    Max Muscle products are marketed through the company's national network of stores, as well as through a broader distribution base world-wide. The Max Muscle brand has earned a reputation for producing and selling superior and reliable quality products within the sports nutrition industry.

    About Athlete's Foot

    Robert and David Lando had a unique vision in 1971--to open a store specializing in athletic footwear. That year they opened the first The Athlete's Foot in Pittsburgh. The first franchise opened in 1972 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the first international location opened in 1978 in Adelaide, Australia. The Athlete's Foot now operates company-owned and franchise locations in more than 40 countries. The company develops stores in malls, shopping districts and as freestanding locations. Each store sells name-brand athletic footwear and apparel. There are also The Athlete's Foot For Her stores, which specialize in athletic footwear and apparel for girls and women.
    The Athlete’s Foot is more than just a retail store; it’s a destination for athletic street style. At The Athlete’s Foot, we want to be known for encouraging our customers to break the rules and explore the unexpected. So we’re transforming into a place with a pulse on the street that offers them the chance to craft their own story through clothing and style.