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Updated RecentlyContours Express vs J.W. Tumbles Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Contours Express vs J.W. Tumbles including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $35,000 - $50,000 | $155,150 - $225,900 |
| Franchise Fee | $12,500 | $42,900 |
| Royalty Fee | $395/mo. | $500/mo. |
| Advertising Fee | - | - |
| Year Founded | 1998 | 1985 |
| Year Franchised | 1998 | 1993 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/No | No/No |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | No/No |
| Equipment | No/Yes | No/No |
| Inventory | No/No | No/No |
| Receivables | No/No | No/No |
| Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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| Training | - | In addition to the mandatory initial franchise training, we also offer optional training by request. An annual meeting as well as business training is also available. |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet
# Protected Territory # 5 days of Training at Contours Express University # 3-Day Training at your gym # Adjustable Weight Stack Equipment # 16 Stations - 4 extra stations optional # Butt-n-Gut cd # Preferred Vendor Discounts # Unlimited Ongoing Training # Advertising and Marketing Advice # 24/7 Online Marketing Materials Library # Personal Gym Website # Prepared PowerPoint Marketing Presentations # Nutritional Counseling Program - C.O.R.E. # Site Selection Assistance | Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet |
| Marketing | Ad slicks | Co-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. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | - | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | No |
| International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Contours Express
After operating coed clubs, working as consultants and working in other areas of the fitness industry, Daren Carter, Mike Widener and Charlie Woodward joined forces to create a fitness center just for women. In 1998, the partners founded Contours Express, a women-only center catering to towns with populations too small to support a full-scale, coed gym.
Contours Express members follow a 29-minute cue tape that keeps them moving through aerobic stations and strength training machines. A fitness trainer (the franchisee or an employee) works with the members during their workouts, providing motivation and other services.
Clubs, which are usually located in strip centers, are about 1,200 square feet in size and can accommodate up to 20 members at a time.
About J.W. Tumbles
Fewer than half of American children get the exercise they need for good health, and only about one-third of elementary and secondary schools offer daily physical education classes. Jeff and Melissa Woods opened the first J.W. Tumbles in Solano Beach, California, in 1985, hoping to remedy this situation. The company opened its first franchise operation in Tucson, Arizona.
J.W. Tumbles is a skill- and confidence-building program that promotes self-esteem and physical health in children aged 4 months to 9 years. Each class in its 'Fun'damentals program delivers challenging, noncompetitive activities. The program focuses on improving motor skills, spatial awareness, manipulative skills, coordination, balance, agility, flexibility, rhythm, strength, social awareness and sportsmanship. Franchisees can teach the program at their locations or use a van to take the fitness programs to schools. The company also offers summer and winter camps.