SPENGA Fitness Plans to Open 300 Locations in the Next Five Years

The fitness franchise segment is crowded, with new boutique concepts consistently popping up and capturing market share. To compete, a brand has to have a unique consumer positioning and also provide a return on investment for its franchise owners.

One player that’s gaining traction in the industry is SPENGA, a studio that combines spin, strength and yoga to improve strength, flexibility and endurance in just 60 minutes.

“Fitness has historically been a very desirable market and boutique fitness is the fastest-growing segment in the industry,” said Roger McGreal, co-founder of SPENGA. “With that being said, fitness has always been a competitive market as well. We believe that SPENGA’s growth can be attributed to having a strong vision and brand identity. SPENGA fills a void in the market, by being the first studio of its kind, delivering cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training in one 60-minute workout.”

SPENGA was founded in 2015 and began franchising shortly thereafter. Currently, SPENGA has 14 locations in eight states, with agreements with franchise owners to open 47 locations. With a recurring revenue membership model, as well as a simple operational structure, SPENGA is catching the attention of multi-unit owners.

One of those multi-unit owners is Sara Bender, who opened a SPENGA franchise in Oak Park, Illinois in 2016, with plans to open four more. For more than a decade, Bender worked at Johnson & Johnson as a senior manager in marketing for diabetes care, working with major retailers across the United States. Her passion for fitness led her to pursue teaching fitness on the side, which then led her to look for a franchise opportunity.

“We looked into Orangetheory but I personally did not like the workout and wondered how I could sell something I didn’t personally enjoy,” Bender said. “When I found SPENGA, I did one session and was hooked. It combines my three favorite exercise routines!”

In addition to the workout itself, Bender points to the brand’s position in the marketplace as a reason she bought into the brand with a five-unit deal.

“SPENGA is a one-stop shop for fitness and is perfect for people with busy schedules, which is everyone!” Bender said. “I love that it's an adaptable business in that we can offer sessions with just spin or strength or yoga. It gives us room to grow with the business and our customers can grow with us as their fitness levels change.”

To reach its target of 300 SPENGA studios in the next five years, McGreal is seeking franchisees that are highly motivated, align with the brand’s culture and vision, possess strong leadership and business acumen and understand the importance of delivering the “SPENGA Experience.”

In just a few years, McGreal and his team have learned that in order to operate a successful franchise organization, it must be ever-evolving.

He adds, “We embrace this challenge on a daily basis and are constantly evaluating ways to enhance our operations, service offerings, and overall franchisee and member experience.”