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Updated RecentlyContours Express vs Soldierfit Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Contours Express vs Soldierfit 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 | $144,950 - $305,495 |
| Franchise Fee | $12,500 | $30,000 |
| Royalty Fee | $395/mo. | 7% |
| Advertising Fee | - | - |
| Year Founded | 1998 | 2007 |
| Year Franchised | 1998 | 2015 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - | Prior experience in the fitness industry may be helpful, but is not a requirement. The ideal candidate will have an interest in fitness and the desire to help people in their communities to get fit. We also prefer franchise owners who will be directly involved in the full-time operations and growth of their Soldierfit franchises. In turn, we'll provide the support franchisees need to run their businesses. We do, of course, also expect that franchisees have the right amount of capital to invest in the business. |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/No | -/- |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | -/- |
| Equipment | No/Yes | -/- |
| Inventory | No/No | -/- |
| Receivables | No/No | -/- |
| Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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| Training | - | We provide comprehensive training in critical areas, including business management, sales and member retention, fitness training programs, equipment purchasing and usage, hiring and retaining staff, marketing and promotional activities, and much more. |
| 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 | Our highly skilled and experienced corporate team is fully committed to helping you build and boost your business. And we will be available to you via phone, text, or email to answer your questions, troubleshoot, or discuss your business' progress and future. And of course we will conduct periodic visits to provide ongoing advice and counsel to help you continue to grow your business the Soldierfit way. |
| Marketing | Ad slicks | You'll get our expert guidance with advertising, promotions, social media and more. Our corporate website helps drive business to your local franchise 24/7. Plus, you'll benefit from combined franchisee dollars in our system-wide marketing fund. |
| 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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | - | - |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | 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 Soldierfit
Why a Soldierfit Franchise Be in business for yourself, not by yourself. The military says it best with their slogan, "one fight one team". At Soldierfit, our strength is your strength. And from the day you sign your franchise agreement our in-house support team is there with you every step of the way Market-Tested, Streamlined Business Model We are a multi-unit operation with established standards, procedures, programs, and policies already in place so you can focus on building your client base and revenue right from the start. Confidential Operations Manual We will provide and train you on our proprietary guide detailing daily operating procedures and important business functions. The manual will be a vital tool for your daily and ongoing operations and will help ensure you have the information and tools needed to uphold the Soldierfit standards. Site Selection and Buildout We will be there right from the start with site selection and lease negotiating assistance. Our dedicated project management team will help you with the planning and execution of your facility build out from start to finish from fixture specifications to set up assistance. We know what it takes to build a Soldierfit location and make it work and we want to help you do the same. Grand Opening Support We provide you with a grand opening checklist as well as pre-opening marketing strategies so that your location can explode onto the scene. Not only that but given those tools you have the potential to have members and revenues before you even open the doors. We will also be on site with you on your big day! Vendor Discounts You'll have access to our approved vendors and will benefit from our pre-established group purchasing discounts.