1851

Given the unprecedented coronavirus crisis that businesses are facing right now, it can be hard for franchisees to remain positive throughout the uncertainty. But Jimmy Mak is relying on a team of other local owners and customers to maintain the brand’s momentum.In addition to owning <a href="https://workoutanytimefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisees-covid-19-how-one-owner-and-area-developer-is-keeping-customers-engaged-throughout-the-crisis-2712645" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Workout Anytime</a>’s Plano, Texas location, Mak oversees over 20 locations as the <a href="https://workoutanytime.com/news_story/workout-anytime-hires-new-southwest-developer-eyes-texas-for-expansion/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisees-covid-19-how-one-owner-and-area-developer-is-keeping-customers-engaged-throughout-the-crisis-2712645" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">brand’s southwest area developer</a>. These locations are owned by seven different franchisees in various counties across Texas and Oklahoma. This has created a unique situation for Mak during the coronavirus crisis — because these clubs are spread out across a wide area, the rules and government-mandated recommendations vary from club to club. So while the majority of Mak’s clubs are currently closed, there are some that remain open.Regardless of whether or not a club’s doors are open currently, Mak’s number-one focus right now is ensuring that members are aware of what’s going on.“Communication with our members is key. I think it’s made a huge difference that we’ve been answering the phone in our clubs and forwarding those calls to our phones at home to help out our members and coach them through this situation. It’s important to have a real person picking up and answering questions,” Mak said. “Whatever we need to do, whether it’s waiving dues or freezing or crediting accounts, the main thing that we’re focused on is making sure our members are happy. Our members really care about us, and we want them to know that we truly care about them.”This heightened level of communication extends to the franchisees Mak works with as well.“I call my owners daily to see how they’re doing and if they need anything. We also have a conference call every other day so that we can get together as a group and discuss what’s going on. And by the time we hang up the phone, I know that because I feel better, all of my owners feel better, too,” said Mak. “In times like this, it’s more about the support and communication — it’s so important that you don’t leave anybody in the dark. We’re all still a team, and we need to be on the same page.”What’s ultimately keeping Mak motivated and positive during this time is the fact that there are still ways to give back to the communities that Workout Anytime calls home, even when clubs are closed. The brand rolled out a new app with at-home workouts and is also posting daily workouts to its <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8CVg36MOmCOvE7WfmCB1HNGx0VzrIfpv&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisees-covid-19-how-one-owner-and-area-developer-is-keeping-customers-engaged-throughout-the-crisis-2712645" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">YouTube channel</a>. So far, the feedback that Mak has received from members is adding to his positivity, too.“I’ve found that when you reach out to a member, they’re surprised by it. It’s a small thing to do, but it means the world to them that they’re not being left in the dark,” said Mak. “We’re all in this thing together, and we’ll get the clubs open as soon as we possibly can. Until then, we’ll keep providing our members with new workouts every day to keep them engaged until we can all be back in the gym together.”

Franchisees & COVID-19: How One Owner and Area Developer Is Keeping Customers Engaged Throughout the Crisis

1851 Franchise

Jimmy Mak, a franchisee and the southwest area developer for Workout Anytime, tells 1851 how he’s working with members and club owners alike to keep momentum going, even while gyms are closed.

franchisees-covid-19-how-one-owner-and-area-developer-is-keeping-customers-engaged-throughout-the-crisis

SweatHouz

SweatHouz Expansion - Tribeca Opening and 12 NYC Franchise Units - 1851 Franchise

SweatHouz Franchise Expands Into New York City With 12-Unit Development Agreement Across Manhattan and Brooklyn

sweathouz-new-york-tribeca-expansion

DoodyCalls

How This Family Built a Fast-Growing DoodyCalls Business in Greensboro, North Carolina

families-in-franchising-robert-thomas-doodycalls-greensboro

Sparkle Squad Window Cleaning Services

Sparkle Squad Franchise - Ryan Fraser - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

Commercial Real Estate Veteran Leverages Commercial Work To Grow Sparkle Squad Franchise

sparkle-squad-franchise-new-jersey-ryan-fraser

Children's Lighthouse

Values-Based Curriculum Gives Children’s Lighthouse Franchise Owners a Competitive Edge

Why a Values-Based Curriculum Gives Children’s Lighthouse Franchise Owners a Competitive Edge

values-based-curriculum-childrens-lighthouse-franchise-competitive-edge

ServiceMaster Restore

How ServiceMaster Recovery Management Leads Commercial Disaster Recovery

How ServiceMaster Restore’s SRM Team Becomes the First Call for Commercial Disasters Nationwide

servicemaster-recover-management-srm-commercial-property-restoration

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Hardee's Franchise - ARC Burger Lawsuit - 1851 Franchise

Hardee’s Lawsuit Targets Franchisee as 77 Restaurants Prepare to Shut Down

hardees-franchise-closures-arc-burger-lawsuit

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

twin-brothers-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-fort-walton-beach

image of ian ruppel and linda kinne franchisee owners from melting pot in syracuse New York

Long-Time Melting Pot Franchisee To Revive Syracuse, New York, Location in Destiny Mall

melting-pot-returns-syracuse-destiny-mall

image of Danielle Pointer from Kidstrong  South Utah County child development franchise

Franchisees & COVID-19: How One Owner and Area Developer Is Keeping Customers Engaged Throughout the Crisis

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS