Gold's Gym vs Smart for Life Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Gold's Gym Franchise
Smart for Life Franchise
Investment $22,182,505,000,500N/A
Franchise Fee $40,000N/A
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee 2%-
Year Founded 19652002
Year Franchised 19802004
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Gold's Gym Franchise
Smart for Life Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Smart for Life Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Smart for Life Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Regional advertising-
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Smart for Life Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #61 on Franchise Rankings.com

    "Entrepreneur
    #427 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Smart for Life

    The premier physician supervised weight management program offering natural and organic cookie squares along with shakes and soups as meal replacements plus other innovative weight management approaches.