Planet Fitness vs StrengthTime Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
StrengthTime Franchise
Investment $968,100 - $4,113,000$100,000 - $160,000
Franchise Fee $20,000N/A
Royalty Fee 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
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
StrengthTime Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
StrengthTime 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
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
StrengthTime 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
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
StrengthTime Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

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.






About StrengthTime

The beauty of the StrengthTime system is its simplicity. The notion of "efficient & effective" translates to our business operations. First, StrengthTime requires a small footprint-1,500 and 2,000 sq. ft.-with locations enjoying success in secondary retail locations.

There are no locker rooms, showers or other environmental concerns. A single restroom, changing room, and small reception/office area are all you need to augment your workout studio. Additionally, because our program is so focused on providing an effective and efficient workout, there are no distractions like loud music or mirrors This helps clients focus on their workout.