Gold's Gym vs Snap Fitness Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Gold's Gym Franchise
Snap Fitness Franchise
Investment $22,182,505,000,500$144,798 - $478,762
Franchise Fee $40,000$29,500
Royalty Fee 5%$580/mo.
Advertising Fee 2%$275/mo.
Year Founded 19652003
Year Franchised 19802004
Term Of Agreement -5 years
Term Of Agreement -5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Gold's Gym Franchise
Snap Fitness Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • "What I want is somebody who is a fitness nut: a personal trainer, somebody who comes from running a health club themselves. The economics of it are second to me." - Joey Aunan, franchise development director

    Financing Options

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

    Training & Support

     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Snap Fitness Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters On-The-Job Training: Ongoing Classroom Training: 30 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 1

    Expansion Plans

     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Snap Fitness Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    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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    #61 on Franchise Rankings.com

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    #427 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Snap Fitness

    Thanks for your interest in owning a Snap Fitness franchise. If you are looking for a proven, affordable and trail-blazing concept in a growing industry, you've come to the right place! Today more than ever, people know it's important to be fit. Their challenge is squeezing exercise into busy lives. With Snap Fitness, you provide the solution, bringing fast, convenient and affordable workouts into their neighborhoods - minutes from their doorsteps - with your own compact, 24/7 state-of-the-art fitness center. The Industry's Fastest-Growing Fitness Franchisor Our first club opened in 2004. Today, with more than 1,500 sold in the United States and Canada, we rank #1 on Franchise Market Magazine's Top 100 New Franchises* and #3 among Entrepreneur Magazine's Top New Franchises**. A Snap Fitness franchise is easy to afford, easy to manage - 70% of our franchisees are absentee owners - and easy to market. As important, you'll find us to be trustworthy partners. Our success is driven by a single-minded focus to make YOU successful and Christian principles that guide us to treat everyone with dignity, respect and fairness. Take Your First Step Towards Freedom and Fulfillment We invite you to take a close look at us as an opportunity to turn wellness into wealth and to live your dream with a degree of freedom and flexibility not possible in the traditional work world. We stand ready to help you determine if a Snap Fitness franchise is right for you. You can contact a sales consultant right now. Thanks again for stopping by, and - be well.

    Veteran Incentives  $5,000 off franchise fee

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #89 on Franchise Rankings.com

    "Entrepreneur
    #470 in Franchise 500 for 2020.