Neighborhood Barre is a boutique fitness brand built around an inclusive barre workout designed for all fitness levels. The concept emphasizes results without intimidation, creating studios that feel welcoming, community-oriented and accessible to both beginners and advanced clients.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for Neighborhood Barre?

About the Brand

Neighborhood Barre was founded in 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee by Katy Richardson, who left her corporate accounting career to build a more approachable, results-driven alternative to traditional boutique fitness. Richardson’s vision centered on creating a method that meets clients where they are, regardless of experience or fitness level.

Mission: Neighborhood Barre’s mission is to offer all clients, whether beginner or advanced, a quick and effective way to transform their bodies in a studio environment rooted in comfort, encouragement and freedom from judgment.

Vision: The brand’s vision is to redefine the barre experience by creating inclusive, results-driven studios that strengthen both physical confidence and community connection.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

  • Results-driven barre classes designed for all fitness levels, from beginner to advanced.
  • A welcoming, non-intimidating studio environment that removes barriers to entry.
  • Classes built to avoid plateaus, encouraging continuous progress.
  • A studio experience focused on comfort, encouragement and body-positive messaging.
  • Optional on-site childcare that increases accessibility for clients with families.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With Neighborhood Barre?

  • Hands-on model where franchisees are supported and known by the corporate team.
  • Comprehensive support across operations, marketing and sales.
  • Education-focused approach designed to help franchisees build sustainable businesses.
  • Growth strategy centered on franchisee success rather than corporate revenue streams.
  • Lower startup costs compared to many boutique fitness concepts.
  • Customizable studio buildouts that allow owners to fit their local market while maintaining consistent brand standards.

Available Territories

Neighborhood Barre offers studio ownership opportunities across the United States. Prospective franchisees are encouraged to inquire directly through the brand’s franchise request form for territory availability.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Neighborhood Barre franchise ranges from $94,040 to $266,000. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Type of Expenditure

Min

Max

Initial Franchise Fee

$49,000

$49,000

Leasehold Improvements

$20,000

$150,000

Design Fee

$1,000

$3,500

Signage

$1,500

$6,500

Studio Exercise Equipment

$2,540

$3,500

Furniture & Fixtures

$2,000

$5,000

Software, Computer & Website

$2,000

$3,000

Inventory & Merchandise

$2,000

$5,000

Initial Training Expenses

$900

$4,000

Grand Opening Marketing Campaign

$3,000

$5,000

Business Licenses

$100

$1,500

Additional Funds (3 Months)

$10,000

$30,000

Initial Franchise Fee: Neighborhood Barre charges an initial franchise fee of $49,000, due upon signing the Franchise Agreement for the first studio. Reduced fees are available for multi-unit operators: $39,000 for the second unit and $29,000 for the third and subsequent units.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Neighborhood Barre franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

Type of FeeAmount
RoyaltyGreater of 7% of gross sales or $250/week
Creative Brand Fund Contribution2% of gross sales/week
Website Maintenance and Intranet Fees$125/month

ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 18 franchised Neighborhood Barre studios operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross sales:

Average

Median

High

Low

$160,620

$154,732

$240,056

$88,543

3. What Franchisee Support Does Neighborhood Barre Provide?

Pre-Opening Support

Before opening, franchisees receive guidance on studio setup, instructor training requirements, branding standards, operational readiness, and site evaluation assistance.

Training Programs

Neighborhood Barre requires franchisees and key managers to complete initial training and on-the-job training prior to opening. Instructor training is mandatory and completed before studio launch.

Franchisee Support

The corporate team supports franchisees across operations, marketing and sales to help build and grow sustainable studios. Franchisees are responsible for hiring and managing instructors and staff in accordance with brand standards.

Neighborhood Barre franchisees contribute 2% of gross sales to the brand’s marketing fund, which supports studio-level promotion and broader system-wide brand development. The fund is designed to help drive brand awareness, generate demand, and provide franchisees with access to professionally developed marketing campaigns and tools, allowing owners to focus more on operations while benefiting from centralized marketing support.

Technology and Tools

Franchisees are supported with integrated technology systems for scheduling, payments, marketing and performance tracking, helping streamline operations and provide visibility into key business metrics. Additionally, each studio has a branded webpage that is linked to the company website, a branded email address for their studio and key employees, and access to its intranet system of proprietary training tools.

4. What Are the Franchisee Requirements for Neighborhood Barre?

Eligibility Criteria

Neighborhood Barre does not specify any franchisee requirements with regard to liquid assets or net worth.

Ideal Neighborhood Barre franchisees are individuals who are motivated to build a community-centered business and are committed to delivering an inclusive, welcoming fitness experience.

Operational Commitments

Each Neighborhood Barre studio must be under the direct full-time supervision of a trained key manager. While ownership structures may vary, active operational oversight is required.

Funding Assistance

Neighborhood Barre does not offer direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee loans, leases or other financial obligations.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

In this video, Neighborhood Barre founder Katy Richardson sits down with several studio owners to discuss how small but strategic mindset shifts can lead to meaningful business and personal improvements. Franchisees share what prompted them to reassess their priorities, ask for help and make changes that strengthened both their studios and their day-to-day lives.

6. What Is the Market Potential for Barre Franchises?

The U.S. barre fitness market continues to show strong growth potential as consumers seek low-impact, studio-based workout experiences. The global barre market was valued at $1.35 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $2.63 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 8.1% from 2025 to 2032. 

Competitor Analysis

Neighborhood Barre differentiates itself through its emphasis on results-focused programming and sustainable studio economics. Primary competitors include other boutique barre and low-impact fitness concepts such as Pure Barre, Barre3, The Bar Method, Physique 57 and Xtend Barre.

7. What Is the Application Process for Neighborhood Barre Franchisees?

  1. Submit an online franchise inquiry form.
  2. Connect with the Neighborhood Barre team to receive franchise information.
  3. Complete the evaluation and approval process.
  4. Sign the franchise agreement.
  5. Complete required training and studio setup.
  6. Open the Neighborhood Barre studio.

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves. 

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Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. 

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

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Victoria Campisi

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Victoria Campisi

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