Zoo Health Club vs Planet Fitness Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Zoo Health Club vs Planet Fitness including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Zoo Health Club Franchise
Planet Fitness Franchise
Investment $47,969 - $171,799$968,100 - $4,113,000
Franchise Fee $19,999$20,000
Royalty Fee greater of $399/ month or 7%7% of Gross Membership Fees
Advertising Fee -9%
Year Founded -1992
Year Franchised -2003
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Zoo Health Club Franchise
Planet Fitness Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Zoo Health Club Franchise
Planet Fitness 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

 
Zoo Health Club Franchise
Planet Fitness Franchise
Training -* Available at headquarters: 2 weeks * At franchisee's location: as needed
Support -* Newsletter * Meetings * Toll-free phone line * Grand opening * Internet * Security/safety procedures * Field operations/evaluations * Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing -* Co-op advertising * Ad slicks * Regional advertising
Operations -* 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit * Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Expansion Plans

 
Zoo Health Club Franchise
Planet Fitness Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

About Zoo Health Club

The appeal of a Zoo Health Club is far-reaching. Demographic studies indicate that members will routinely travel up to ten miles to attend a given location. This level of customer interest and loyalty speaks volumes of our success. Each year, Zoo Health Clubs contribute to their communities by hosting and supporting cancer walks, marathons, and a variety of other events and activities. Such involvement makes Zoo locations popular gathering places for local and regional events. Such is the appeal of the Zoo Health Clubs. Members love to return time and again in order to enjoy the familiarity of their Zoo, with its clean facilities, helpful staff, immaculate equipment, and friendly environment. Since the early 1970s, Zoo Health Clubs have promoted a carefully balanced atmosphere that is both family-friendly and appealing to serious athletes. Everyone-from those seeking a general fitness program to hard-core body builders-find what they need at their Zoo. The Zoo's unique business model benefits both the franchisee and its members:
* Location, location, location! Convenient, easily accessible locations in secondary shopping centers make frequent visits routine for the entire family.
* Small- to medium-size locations limit lease costs and ensure a friendly, community-like environment.
* Low monthly fees attract and retain members.
* Top-of-the-line equipment offers a competitive edge and keeps members challenged.
* A variety of special products and services please members and increase revenue.

"Top
#99 in Gator's Top franchises.

About Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness got its start in 1992 when Michael Grondahl acquired a struggling gym. He reduced membership prices to compete against better-known brands and focused on serving occasional or first-time gym users. Every Planet Fitness location holds a pizza night for members once a month, as well as a bagel morning, and Tootsie Rolls are available at all times.
Planet Fitness strives to promote health in a respectful atmosphere. For over a decade, Planet Fitness has gone to great lengths to provide its members with a friendly space to work out. We call it the Judgment Free Zone. We discourage weight dropping and obnoxious grunting so you can focus on your own workout and not the person next to you.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single Planet Fitness facility ranges from $968,100 to $3,072,000 if you finance your equipment.
This includes $48,000 to $297,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
If you choose to purchase your equipment, the total investment necessary to begin operation of a single Planet Fitness facility ranges from $1,500,000 to $4,113,000.
This includes $295,000 to $912,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
These estimated initial investment ranges also apply to each location that you develop under the Area Development Agreement (plus the Area Development Fee you pay at the time you sign the Area Development Agreement). If you sign an Area Development Agreement, you must develop one or more Planet Fitness facilities, and you will pay an Area Development Fee of $10,000 per planned location (paid in full when you sign the Area Development Agreement) in addition to the then-current initial franchise fee due for each location at the time the Franchise Agreement for that location is signed.

"Entrepreneur

#7 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#8 in Franchise 500 for 2021.