Curves vs Express Train Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Curves Franchise
Express Train Franchise
Investment $115,600 - $243,200$73,700 - $130,000
Franchise Fee $39,900$37,900
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19922005
Year Franchised 19952005
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 Years
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 Years
Renewal Fee -$5000


Business Experience Requirements
 
Curves Franchise
Express Train Franchise
Experience
  • Financially stable
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Curves Franchise
    Express Train Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Curves Franchise
    Express Train Franchise
    Training At regional meetings (full day), convention (3 days), local events (1 day)* Available at headquarters: 3 days

    * At franchisee's location: 3 days
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNational Marketing Campaign

    On Going Training

    Support Visits

    Marketing Support Person

    Training & Certification

    Support Person

    Human Resources Support & Hiring Support

    Annual Franchisee Conference
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising-
    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)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Curves Franchise
    Express Train Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #32 on Franchise Rankings.com

    About Express Train

    Express Train Fitness for Men was born out of a need to provide men with an alternative to the large "Social Gyms" that have become the norm in today's fitness industry. This gives them a place where they can feel comfortable and receive the guidance and support needed to achieve the goals they set for themselves with regard to health and fitness. Express Train Fitness for Men provides an atmosphere in which we promote good physical fitness habits along with nutritional guidance without the hard-sell environment of the other gyms. Our memberships provide for all the instruction and guidance at no extra charge to the client. Our main goals are to help our members reach and maintain their visions of health and fitness. OUR GOALS ARE OUR MEMBERS GOALS