ShapeXpress vs Express Train Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
ShapeXpress Franchise
Express Train Franchise
Investment $89,500 - $152,000$73,700 - $130,000
Franchise Fee $20,000$37,900
Royalty Fee Varies5%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 20022005
Year Franchised 20032005
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 Years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 Years
Renewal Fee $2.5K$5000


Business Experience Requirements

 
ShapeXpress Franchise
Express Train Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Sales skills, previous employee supervision skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Express Train 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
    Express Train Franchise
    Training Ongoing* Available at headquarters: 3 days

    * At franchisee's location: 3 days

    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNational Marketing Campaign

    On Going Training

    Support Visits

    Marketing Support Person

    Training & Certification

    Support Person

    Human Resources Support & Hiring Support

    Annual Franchisee Conference

    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
    Express Train 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 Express Train

    Express Train Fitness for Men was born out of a need to provide men with an alternative to the large "Social Gyms" that have become the norm in today's fitness industry. This gives them a place where they can feel comfortable and receive the guidance and support needed to achieve the goals they set for themselves with regard to health and fitness. Express Train Fitness for Men provides an atmosphere in which we promote good physical fitness habits along with nutritional guidance without the hard-sell environment of the other gyms. Our memberships provide for all the instruction and guidance at no extra charge to the client. Our main goals are to help our members reach and maintain their visions of health and fitness. OUR GOALS ARE OUR MEMBERS GOALS