Franchisee Success: WORKOUT ANYTIME

Business ownership always comes with risks, but some entrepreneurs are more willing to take leaps than others. Enter Kevin Edmonds.

Although the experienced entrepreneur had plenty of experience in starting and growing businesses, when he bought into relatively unknown brand WORKOUT ANYTIME, both franchising and the fitness industry were uncharted territory.

Preceding his move into this uncharted territory, Edmonds worked in the restaurant and nightlife industry his entire career. He currently owns four venues around his hometown of Greensboro, N.C., but while looking to diversify his portfolio, he wanted to purchase a concept that involved his passion for fitness.

With no experience in the industry he sought a franchise concept to gain corporate structure and support. When he found WORKOUT ANYTIME he was drawn to the concept and affordability. It was headquartered in nearby Atlanta, and most of all that the Carolinas were untapped and the growth potential was enormous.

With only 15 clubs in existence at the time, Edmonds took a big leap and purchased the rights to both North and South Carolina. He opened his first facility in Greensboro in 2011 and has gone on to help twelve other franchisees open their own clubs as the Area Developer for the states, with many more currently in various development stages.

"We’ll be growing at a much faster pace than we were the first two years, which was actually pretty aggressive," Edmonds said. "In the beginning it was just me. Now I’ve got about four other franchisees in North Carolina that will be helping to grow the state."

Edmonds is now set to open his second WORKOUT ANYTIME facility in Asheboro, N.C., after looking for the perfect location in the community for two years. He knew that it was the right market for his second club because of its lack of brand competitors and the size of the community.

"Asheboro is the perfect demographic for our business model; Asheboro fits us to a T," Edmonds said.

Kevin’s early gamble has paid off big time. Today WORKOUT ANYTIME has almost 80 clubs either open or in development and Kevin’s second club will open this fall in the prime location he waited so long to be available.

The secrets to Edmonds success really aren’t secrets at all: Know your market and choose location wisely, choose a company and brand you’re passionate about and, most importantly, take risks.