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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Fitness Premier clubs provide 24/7 access to strength, conditioning and recovery equipment and services and offer the brand’s proprietary fitWAVE program.
Fitness Premier is a health and wellness franchise offering 24/7 access, full-service fitness offerings, recovery suites and training/nutrition services. Its offerings include strength machines, free weights, cardio equipment, group training (including the fitWAVE program), nutrition services, relax and restore suites and related fitness products and services.
Fitness Premier was founded in Frankfort, Illinois, on July 18, 2016, by Jason Markowicz, who saw an underserved segment of the suburban gym market. As a lifelong competitive college football player, he was deeply passionate about making a career out of athletics and wellness.
Mission: Fitness Premier motivates, educates and inspires communities by bringing people together to support one another’s fitness goals.
Vision: Fitness Premier views fitness as a holistic lifestyle, creating an inclusive environment that supports mental and physical transformation.
Fitness Premier focuses on strategic growth in smaller and mid-sized markets across the Midwest and beyond.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a standard Fitness Premier franchise ranges from $456,900 to $1,591,600. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Construction & Leasehold Improvements | $150,000 | $840,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $190,000 | $500,000 |
| Signage | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Computer, Software, Tech Package & POS | $15,000 | $26,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $2,000 | $12,500 |
| Utility Deposits | $400 | $1,600 |
| Insurance Deposits (3 Months) | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Travel for Initial Training | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Professional Fees | $7,000 | $30,000 |
| Licenses & Permits | $2,000 | $12,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $15,000 | $50,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial fee for a standard Fitness Premier franchise is $49,500, which is due upon signing the franchise agreement.
Fitness Premier offers a 10% discount off this fee for qualifying military veterans, as well as a 50% discount for qualifying owners converting an existing, comparable fitness club into a Fitness Premier.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Fitness Premier franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross sales/month |
| Brand Development Fund | 2% of gross sales/month |
| Franchisee Directed Local Marketing | 3% of gross sales, paid by the franchisee as incurred |
| POS System | $450/month |
| Technology Fee | $299/month |
| Local and Regional Advertising Cooperatives | As established by cooperative members, not to exceed 2% of gross sales, paid on a schedule established by cooperative members |
| Continued Assistance and Support | $3,150/month; reduced to $1,575/month for franchisees’ fifth to 10th clubs |
ROI Potential: In its 2026 FDD, Fitness Premier reports the gross sales for 10 company-owned clubs and one franchise club that were operational for the entirety of 2025:
| Club Type | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Company-Owned (10) | $698,258 | $687,620 | $1,231,994 | $298,511 |
| Franchise (1) | $453,458 | $453,458 | $453,458 | $453,458 |
| Total (11) | $676,003 | $662,050 | $1,231,994 | $298,511 |
The franchisor provides site selection guidelines and must approve the final club location. Once a franchisee secures an approved lease or purchase, the franchisor provides generalized prototype plans and specifications, along with a list of approved suppliers for construction materials, furniture, fixtures, equipment and signage.
The franchisor provides a 40-hour initial training program, including 22 hours of classroom training and 18 hours of on-the-job training, at its facility in Frankfort, Illinois. The program covers operations, marketing, sales processes, training programming, coaching and software training. The managing owner and one designated manager must complete the program at least 90 days before opening.
Through the mandatory Continued Assistance and Support Fee, the franchisor provides extensive back-office support. Services include software management, such as database monitoring, billing inquiries and third-party collections; accounting services, including monthly profit-and-loss statements, balance sheets, bank reconciliations, 1099 preparation and sales tax filings; payroll administration; leadership and sales coaching; and local marketing material design and event support.
Franchisees receive a designated ABC Financial point-of-sale and customer relationship management system. They also receive a required Tech Package supplied by affiliate Rettertek, which includes hardware, door access control, computer networking and alarm and camera installation.
Fitness Premier does not specify any franchisee requirements with regard to liquid assets or net worth. Franchisees must be of good moral character and have sufficient business experience, aptitude and financial resources to own and operate a Fitness Premier club.
The franchise agreement requires the managing owner to be personally responsible for the management and overall supervision of the club. However, semi-absentee ownership is an option: franchisees may hire an operating manager to supervise the day-to-day on-site operations of the club, provided that the operating manager meets minimum standards, completes the initial training program and signs confidentiality agreements.
Fitness Premier does not offer direct or indirect financing, nor does it guarantee a franchisee's note, lease or other obligation.
"It was ultimately the people — the leadership team has been authentic, genuine and they have a real interest in helping franchisees succeed. They are very growth-oriented. That human aspect was really what sold us. On the business operations side, the numbers really speak for themselves."
- Eddie Davila, Franchisee — Bozeman, Montana
"I was emotionally invested in the club and the people here. Our fitness centers are a home away from home for a lot of people. There's a feeling of family here."
- Tara Juzeszyn, Franchisee — Beecher, Illinois
The U.S. gym and fitness center industry continues to expand as consumer demand for health and wellness rises. Industry revenue is estimated at about $45.7 billion in 2025, growing at roughly a 7.1% compound annual rate in recent years, while gym memberships reached record levels of about 77 million Americans in 2024, representing roughly a quarter of the population. The sector includes nearly 94,000 fitness facilities nationwide, and analysts expect steady mid-single-digit annual growth over the next several years as health awareness, strength training trends and wellness spending continue to increase.
Fitness Premier sets itself apart by blending a 24/7 access model with premium, boutique-style amenities like cryotherapy, salt chambers and fitWAVE group training — services traditionally requiring separate memberships at specialized studios. Primary competitors include local and national chain gyms, fitness studios, personal trainers and online/e-commerce wellness and fitness outlets.
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