Curves vs Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Curves Franchise
Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
Investment $115,600 - $243,200$121,750 - $196,950
Franchise Fee $39,900$24,900
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 19921998
Year Franchised 19952015
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Curves Franchise
Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
Experience
  • Financially stable
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Curves Franchise
    Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/No-/Yes
    Equipment No/No-/Yes
    Inventory No/No-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Curves Franchise
    Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
    Training At regional meetings (full day), convention (3 days), local events (1 day)On-The-Job Training: 11 hours Classroom Training: 29 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
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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)

    Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 4

    Expansion Plans

     
    Curves Franchise
    Polestar Pilates Studio Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    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 Polestar Pilates Studio

    Polestar is an International authority with educators across 50 countries and education facilities in over 28 countries. Polestar has developed a low-cost, high-return business model for entrepreneurs and aspiring studio owners to meet the demands created by increasing health awareness and interests.