Curves vs Lucille Roberts Fitness Express Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Curves Franchise
Lucille Roberts Fitness Express Franchise
Investment $115,600 - $243,200$271,850 - $402,400
Franchise Fee $39,900$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee -12%
Year Founded 19921970
Year Franchised 19952005
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$2.5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Curves Franchise
Lucille Roberts Fitness Express Franchise
Experience
  • Financially stable

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Curves Franchise
    Lucille Roberts Fitness Express Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoYes/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Curves Franchise
    Lucille Roberts Fitness Express Franchise
    Training At 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, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks
    Operations 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)

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Curves Franchise
    Lucille Roberts Fitness Express Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    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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    About Lucille Roberts Fitness Express

    Inspired by a love of aerobics classes and a dream, Lucille Roberts opened her first gym in 1969. She took what seemed like millions of group aerobics classes before realizing that although the classes were predominantly women, the fitness clubs lacked a specific camaraderie that she craved. A pioneer of female empowerment, Lucille sought to create gyms that fostered a positive environment where women could come together to work out, meet new friends, and get inspired. An inspiration herself, Lucille Roberts was tough both in and out of the gym; rumor has it she would complete sets of curls while on conference calls and challenge coworkers to push up contests on Fridays.

    Recognizing a gap in the industry and a convenient location accessible to shoppers and commuters alike, she opened her first gym near the famed Macy’s flagship at Herald Square. Lucille's goal was to offer affordable gyms tailored specifically for women who needed to use their gym time productively. Shopping could be a workout itself, but she knew that women were capable of so much more than shoulder pads and pants suits. Thus the Lucille Roberts customer was born. No longer did she need to maneuver around men lifting weights or spend hundreds on memberships dedicated to spa-like experiences in order to complete a proper workout. Today, Lucille Roberts prides itself on offering the most current, in-demand classes to cater to its busy and informed clientele. Lucille Roberts is seeking both men and women franchisees to join our growing brand. Candidates should have business sales or management sales experience, but do not need to have a health club, fitness or wellness background. Prospective franchisees can either be active owner-operators or semi-passive investors looking to diversify their portfolio through this unique franchise investment.

    Also, franchisees should share a common goal with Lucille Roberts, which includes building a strong brand and a profitable business in an increasingly competitive marketplace. "Lucille Lucille Roberts began as a family business of women's fitness centers and we like to think of our franchisees and members as part of our extended family. To our members and guests, we are more than just a health club - we're a source of wellness where nutrition, weight loss and exercise become the foundation for a healthier lifestyle. 

    Our success is a result of our low membership fees with no contracts, our smaller facility size  (approximately 4,500 to 6,000 square feet) and our location in centers with national, daily-need and female-oriented retailers in both suburban and metro markets.