Planet Fitness vs Medifast Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
Medifast Franchise
Investment $968,100 - $4,113,000$148,000 - $269,000
Franchise Fee $20,000$0 - $35,000
Royalty Fee 7% of Gross Membership Fees-
Advertising Fee 9%-
Year Founded 19921980
Year Franchised 20032007
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
Medifast Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
Medifast 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
Medifast Franchise
Training * Available at headquarters: 2 weeks * At franchisee's location: as needed

Comprehensive Training Programs: Program and product training Operational training Weight-loss consultation and member management training Sales training Continuing education programs

Support * Newsletter * Meetings * Toll-free phone line * Grand opening * Internet * Security/safety procedures * Field operations/evaluations * Purchasing cooperatives

Real Estate, Construction and Business Development: Comprehensive Real Estate & Construction Manual Comprehensive Business Start-Up Manual Demographics research and site selection assistance Dedicated center start-up specialists General Operations Support: Program and product support teams Grand opening support Product ordering support Member management

Marketing * Co-op advertising * Ad slicks * Regional advertising

Corporate branding � corporate website, national TV, and national print Public relations support Best practices support in advertising and marketing, including print, radio, television, and local campaigns Lead management system Interactive content managed website for your local business Local search engine optimization and search engine management Social media resources and applications

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
Medifast 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.

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About Medifast

The need for quality healthcare continues to expand even during tough economies. This is a Ground floor business opportunity with a NYSE listed public company (MED:NYSE). With more than 30 years of experience we offer a proven and profitable business system to help people significantly improve their health. Clinically proven weight loss, guaranteed results, clinically proven safe and effective. We are seeking experienced business operators who are passionate about helping others. Inquire about territorial development opportunities. Seeking Area Developer Opportunities. Seeking Master Licensees.