Anytime Fitness Targets Portland, Oregon in Expansive U.S. Development Push

Since launching its franchise opportunity back in 2002, Anytime Fitness set out to redefine the popular value-priced fitness segment experience. Today, with more than 3,500 franchise units and 36 company owned gyms in all 50 states and 30 different countries, it’s clear that Anytime Fitness has not only solidified its position at the forefront of the booming fitness industry, but has become one of the world’s largest gyms, too.

That kind of rapid success is hard to come by in the franchising industry. And yet, despite its ongoing growth, Anytime Fitness has even bigger plans on the horizon. Which is why, as the brand enters into the second half of 2017, it’s doing so with an enhanced focus on development throughout the United States and beyond.  

"The secret to our success is that we're hyper-focused on constantly improving the services we provide our members, in- and outside our gyms" said Chuck Runyon, CEO of Anytime Fitness.  "In the last year alone, we've increased the number of small group training options for our members, added to our repertoire of free video classes, and made it easier for our members to find the latest in healthy lifestyle information via our expert team of bloggers and other social media platforms. Those sorts of improvements help our members achieve real results. And when your members are happy and healthy, then our club staff can spend even more time providing individualized attention to the people who are already at the gym, rather than wasting a lot of time chasing after new members."

Make one visit to Anytime Fitness and it’s easy to why its gyms are set up to thrive in every region they reach. There’s no massive machinery, crowds of people or grunting bodybuilders. You’ll also notice the club’s small size—only 4,000 to 6,000 square feet, which is nearly eight times smaller than many full-service gyms. It’s a decidedly unintimidating environment, and that’s exactly how thousands of gym-goers like it. And it has also helped Anytime Fitness become the fastest growing fitness clubs in the world.

“Anytime Fitness came in charging an inexpensive $35 to $55 a month and stripped down labor costs by having gyms staffed for a certain number of hours, but allowing members to come and go when they like,” said Runyon. “That’s really been a sweet spot for Anytime Fitness, and it’s helped our franchise owners really see the value in an investment with our brand.”

Based in Minnesota, Anytime Fitness is now looking to bring that same proven business model to residents throughout Portland, Oregon—and they’re on the hunt for the right franchisees to help lead the charge. With more than 30 locations in Oregon already, Anytime Fitness lacks a strong presence in the greater Portland area—a city that boasts nearly 700,000 residents. And thanks to the existing brand awareness throughout the state, Runyon is confident that Anytime Fitness will find success in Oregon’s largest city.

"Nothing makes us happier than to hear that our existing franchisees are happy. And we’re excited to continue adding to that growing system of satisfied Anytime Fitness owners," said Runyon.  "Our continued growth in Oregon and beyond speaks for itself. But, in my mind, the true measure of success is whether you're helping improve the lives of others. I'm proud to say, at Anytime Fitness, that's what we're really all about."