Gold's Gym vs Curves Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Gold's Gym Franchise
Curves Franchise
Investment $22,182,505,000,500$115,600 - $243,200
Franchise Fee $40,000$39,900
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 2%-
Year Founded 19651992
Year Franchised 19801995
Term Of Agreement -5 years
Term Of Agreement -5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Gold's Gym Franchise
Curves Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financially stable
    		•

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

    Training & Support
     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Curves Franchise
    Training Available at headquartersAt regional meetings (full day), convention (3 days), local events (1 day)
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    		 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Curves Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    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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    About Curves

    At the age of 20, pre-med student Gary Heavin had taken over a failing fitness center in Houston, turning the business around and, within five years, opened six more centers. After 10 years and 17 centers, Heavin's business went under. Not wanting to give up, Heavin took lessons from the strengths and weaknesses of his first chain and decided to open a second. In 1992, Heavin opened Curves for Women, a women-only fitness center, in Harlingen, Texas. The company began franchising in 1995.

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