1851

Workout Anytime in Greenwood Square, Kentucky has been acquired by local entrepreneurs Kyle Shirley and John Hammers. The friends of over 15 years had been spending time in the gym when they were given the opportunity to purchase the location from its previous owners. Now, Shirley and Hammers have plans to reinvigorate the gym while still maintaining an environment where members can exercise without feeling overcrowded.&nbsp;The partners shared their plans to use their local connections in the community to get the word out and highlighted their focus on making Workout Anytime a family-friendly environment. They plan to spend time focusing on bringing in new companies and individuals during non-peak times to not overwhelm capacity.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke to Shirley and Hammers about their franchising journey with Workout Anytime.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Hammers:&nbsp;Kyle and I both have a real estate background. And we've known each other for around 15 years. One of the best things that ever happened to me was meeting this guy and developing a business together. Over time, we've become really good friends and have grown a pretty stout portfolio. We were going to the gym together, just as accountability for one another. And while we were going to the gym, the previous owners asked us to lunch. They told us that life was taking them in a different direction. This offer came to us, and we thought it would be really neat if we owned a gym. We started looking at the numbers, income and expenses. The more we looked, the more excited we got. We jumped in with both feet, and we're really enjoying what we're doing. We're doing the best we can to be great gym owners. So far, so good. We're having a great time with it, and it's a new opportunity for us and our families.&nbsp;Shirley:&nbsp;Our background is a little different; we weren’t necessarily in the gym or the exercise space. We looked at it as an investment, and we're just kind of at a point in life where I think it's gonna be good for both of us.&nbsp;1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Shirley: I don’t think we really had one. We knew what the previous owners had told us, and they had a good view on it. They had bought three gyms, so we knew they had a good opinion of it.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Shirley:&nbsp;The feedback from the previous owners; they were good friends of ours. The guy we bought the gym from actually had a hand in getting me into real estate. So his acknowledgment of the brand and willingness to grow it made me look at it. His words behind it meant a lot. They are helping us with training and support, too. John also has a great relationship with the franchise representative for our area, so it was helpful to get his opinion.&nbsp;Hammers: Agreed. They have been excellent for us. Without their education and help, we might have passed on it. Kyle’s relationship with them really secured us moving forward with this.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Hammers:&nbsp;What we want to achieve is a really good reputation. We are going to put the brand first. Workout Anytime knows how to operate a gym. If we follow the guidelines, we will be successful. Kyle and I will put our personal stamp on this. We want to get more folks in there, but not to the point where it is too crowded. We’ve got a lot to learn, but we’ll be successful. We might look at multiple locations one day but want to focus on running this one well first.&nbsp;Shirley:&nbsp;Over the last eight to 12 months, the previous owners stepped back a bit so we will be able to give it more energy. It's a pretty stable club already, but there’s always room for growth. We want to focus on going after companies and individuals that will be there in non-peak times. That's the best way to grow and not overcrowd it.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Hammers:&nbsp;We came from a real estate background. He and I have grown our friendship and professional relationship for years. We’re going to give it all we’ve got, and we are thankful for the opportunity.&nbsp;Shirley:&nbsp;We want people to know that we’re going to make this a family environment. It's not just going to be the owners. It's going to be our families, and we're gonna make it a family because that's what we care about. 1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Hammers: There’s so much to learn. For example, advertising. We’ve already met with a local TV station. I feel like our gym has been coasting for a little bit and hasn't been aggressive in that area, so we’re looking to get more education on that and grow in that.Shirley: Support is where the franchise comes in. They'll be able to help us, and coach us a little bit on the best practices and what they’ve found to be the most effective.

Longtime Friends Share Plans To Create a Family Environment at Local Workout Anytime

1851 Franchise

Workout Anytime franchisees Kyle Shirley and John Hammers took over the Greenwood Square, Kentucky, location this July and are looking forward to growing the business.  

longtime-friends-share-plans-to-create-a-family-environment-at-local-workout-anytime

Mainland

Mainland Secures Nearly $10 Million in Media Value for Franchise Clients in Early 2025

mainland-secures-nearly-10-million-in-media-value-for-franchise-clients-in-early-2025

Mathnasium

How These Arizona Mathnasium Learning Centers Franchisees Expanded to 10 Locations 

how-these-arizona-mathnasium-learning-centers-franchisees-expanded-to-10-locations

BoConcept

BoConcept - Home Furnishing Franchise Agg - Santiago Sideboard - 1851 Franchise

Home Furnishings Business: BoConcept Introduces Santiago Sideboard by Morten Georgsen

home-furnishings-business-boconcept-introduces-santiago-sideboard-by-morten-georgsen

BooXkeeping

BooXkeeping Franchise Expands to Seminole County, Florida, with New Franchisee Ross Duhaime

booxkeeping-franchise-expands-to-seminole-county-florida-with-new-franchisee-ross-duhaime

Sylvan Learning

How Sylvan Learning Positions Franchisees for Institutional Partnership Success

how-sylvan-learning-positions-franchisees-for-institutional-partnership-success

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 Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Hooters - Bankruptcy Chapter 11 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Prepares for Bankruptcy Amid Financial Struggles

hooters-prepares-for-bankruptcy-amid-financial-struggles

Burger King’s Parent Company Restructures Operations in China and the U.S. To Drive Growth

burger-kings-parent-company-restructures-operations-in-china-and-the-us-to-drive-growth

Papa Johns Faces Potential Takeover as Turnaround Efforts Continue

papa-johns-faces-potential-takeover-as-turnaround-efforts-continue

1851 Agg - McDonald's Sales Decline Expansion Continues - 1851 Franchise

McDonald’s Franchisees Feel the Pressure as Sales Decline and Expansion Continues

mcdonalds-franchisees-feel-the-pressure-as-sales-decline-and-expansion-continues

Restaurant Industry Set to Hit $1.5 Trillion in Sales in 2025 Despite Economic Pressures

restaurant-industry-set-to-hit-15-trillion-in-sales-in-2025-despite-economic-pressures

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

ian-and-dick-rydholm-celebrate-30-years-of-transforming-lives-through-sylvan

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Domonique Downing - Big Frog Franchise - Fayetteville, GA - 1851 Franchise

Coca-Cola Scientist Finds Path to Autonomy with Big Frog Franchise in Fayetteville, Georgia

big-frog-franchise-fayetteville-georgia

Health Care Professional in the Non-Profit Space Brings TruBlue to North Pittsburgh

health-care-professional-in-the-non-profit-space-brings-trublue-to-north-pittsburgh

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

DOJ FTC Antitrust Guidelines - Franchise News - 1851 Franchise

DOJ and FTC Issue New Antitrust Guidelines with Implications for Franchising

doj-and-ftc-issue-new-antitrust-guidelines-with-implications-for-franchising

Longtime Friends Share Plans To Create a Family Environment at Local Workout Anytime

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS