ShapeXpress vs Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
ShapeXpress Franchise
Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
Investment $89,500 - $152,000$121,750 - $196,950
Franchise Fee $20,000$24,900
Royalty Fee Varies6%
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 20021998
Year Franchised 20032015
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $2.5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
ShapeXpress Franchise
Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Sales skills, previous employee supervision skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
    Training OngoingOn-The-Job Training: 11 hours Classroom Training: 29 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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)

    Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 4

    Expansion Plans

     
    ShapeXpress Franchise
    Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    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 Polestar Pilates Studio

    Polestar is an International authority with educators across 50 countries and education facilities in over 28 countries. Polestar has developed a low-cost, high-return business model for entrepreneurs and aspiring studio owners to meet the demands created by increasing health awareness and interests.