Contours Express vs The Max Challenge Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Contours Express Franchise
The Max Challenge Franchise
Investment $35,000 - $50,000$131,868 - $280,592
Franchise Fee $12,500$40,000
Royalty Fee $395/mo.6%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19982011
Year Franchised 19982013
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Contours Express Franchise
The Max Challenge Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Contours Express Franchise
The Max Challenge Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-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

 
Contours Express Franchise
The Max Challenge Franchise
Training -On-The-Job Training: 18 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Ongoing virtual training
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

Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad slicksCo-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. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 2


Expansion Plans

 
Contours Express Franchise
The Max Challenge Franchise
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 The Max Challenge

THE MAX Challenge gives our Franchise Owners the opportunity to make an incredible financial return on their investment while truly making a difference in the lives of their members and the community. Enjoy comprehensive guidance and strong ongoing support as you start on your path to fitness franchise ownership.

Veteran Incentives  $5,000 off franchise fee