Planet Fitness vs UFC Gym Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
Investment $968,100 - $4,113,000$199,000 - $4,213,000
Franchise Fee $20,000$30,000 - $50,000
Royalty Fee 7% of Gross Membership Fees4%-6%
Advertising Fee 9%2%
Year Founded 19921992
Year Franchised 20032004
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs No/No-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
Inventory No/No-/-
Receivables No/No-/Yes
Payroll No/No-/Yes

Training & Support
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
Training * Available at headquarters: 2 weeks * At franchisee's location: as neededOn-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Available
Support * Newsletter * Meetings * Toll-free phone line * Grand opening * Internet * Security/safety procedures * Field operations/evaluations * Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing * Co-op advertising * Ad slicks * Regional advertisingAd Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations * 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit * Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 3 - 5

Expansion Plans
 
Planet Fitness Franchise
UFC Gym Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion -Yes

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 UFC Gym

For the first time ever, qualified candidates can own a UFC GYM franchise. This is a ground-breaking opportunity to partner with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Simply put, owning a UFC GYM is a chance to join the fastest growing, most successful fitness franchise and partner with the UFC. UFC GYM franchisees are backed by a solid management foundation, instant brand recognition and a successful boxing, kickboxing and MMA fitness franchise. UFC GYM is built on a partnership between the UFC, NeV and UG Franchise Operations (formerly LA Boxing Franchise Co.). This creates a solid three-pillar franchise with unlimited ability for global growth. UFC GYMs are currently open in the U.S. and Australia, with more than 170 locations open or sold in 25 states. Most facilities feature a functional training area, Octagon or 1/2 Octagon, a bag area with 30 heavy bags, cutting-edge cardio and strength equipment, private training and retail - all areas of potential income for a UFC GYM franchisee. We have multiple levels of opportunity for investment in UFC GYM with facilities ranging from 6,000-10,000 sq. ft.

Most markets require a two to three unit commitment.
The total initial investment for a Class model UFC GYM ranges from $199,500 to $393,500, which includes fees that must be paid to the franchisor for the initial franchise fee, the equipment for the GYM, a retail package and music licensing. Such fees paid to the franchisor will range between $154,500 and $198,500, depending on the size of your Class UFC GYM and amenities selected.
The total initial investment for a Core model UFC GYM ranges from $368,500 to $1,062,500, which includes fees that must be paid to the franchisor for the initial franchise fee, the equipment for the GYM, a retail package and music licensing. Such fees paid to the franchisor will range between $202,500 and $326,000 depending on the size of your Core UFC GYM and amenities selected.
The total initial investment for a Signature model UFC GYM ranges from $1,080,000 to $4,213,000, which includes fees that must be paid to the franchisor for the initial franchise fee, the equipment for the GYM, a retail package and music licensing. Such fees paid to the franchisor will range between $646,000 and $1,466,000, depending on the size of your Signature UFC GYM and amenities selected. Franchisees who also obtain development rights must pay the franchisor the corresponding Initial Franchise Fee for each additional UFC GYM business to be opened.
Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee

"Entrepreneur
#499 in Franchise 500 for 2020.