ShapeXpress vs Gold's Gym Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
ShapeXpress Franchise
Gold's Gym Franchise
Investment $89,500 - $152,000$22,182,505,000,500
Franchise Fee $20,000$40,000
Royalty Fee Varies5%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 20021965
Year Franchised 20031980
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $2.5K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
ShapeXpress Franchise
Gold's Gym Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Sales skills, previous employee supervision skills

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Gold's Gym Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Training OngoingAvailable at headquarters
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, 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)

    		 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    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 Gold's Gym

    Bodybuilders training outside on Muscle Beach were the first customers for the original Gold's Gym when it opened in Venice, California, in 1965. With its intense, no-frills atmosphere, the gym soon became known as the 'Mecca of Bodybuilding.' Arnold Schwarznegger's movie 'Pumping Iron' focused on Gold's Gym, propelling it into the spotlight in 1975. Gold's Gym has been franchising since 1980, and franchises account for more than 90 percent of its locations. In addition to running the health club facilities, franchisees sell Gold's Gym licensed apparel through their Pro Shops.

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