1851

Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Matthew Brandal moved to Phoenix with his wife a year ago in pursuit of warmer weather and easy access to the Chicago Cubs’ spring training games. Until now, Brandal has led a corporate career in a variety of sales, marketing and product management roles.&nbsp;Now, Brandal has signed on to franchise with <a href="https://www.gymguyz.com/franchise-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-matthew-brandal-gymguyz-phoenix-2714403" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">GYMGUYZ</a> and opened his own mobile gym in Southwest Valley.&nbsp;&nbsp;Brandal always knew he wanted to own his own business, and after reaching out to a couple of franchise consultants he decided GYMGUYZ was the perfect fit for his community. Brandal hopes to cater to Phoenix residents of all ages and plans to offer virtual training options to those who are hesitant to invite trainers into their homes.<h4>1851 Franchise: Tell us your story — what did you do before franchising?</h4>Matthew Brandal: I was born and raised in Streamwood, IL, a suburb of Chicago. I spent 36 years in Illinois and only moved to Phoenix a year ago. My wife and I are huge Cubs fans and used to come out to Phoenix for spring training. We fell in love in the area and we were happy to have the opportunity to get out of Illinois.I went to Northern Illinois University for marketing. There, I completed their business sales program as part of the marketing curriculum. My first job was with Fastenal as an assistant general manager. After some time I ended up running two branches for them. In 2008 — after the market crash — I was looking for a new position and took an account executive position with Tri Star Metals. I was there for 12 years in a variety of positions including trade show coordinator, sales and product management. I ran their LinkedIn page and marketing, etc. I had a taste of everything.I transferred out to Phoenix last July with Tri Star Metals, then was unfortunately laid off due to COVID-19 in April. My wife is a full-time nurse practitioner. She’ll be working full time to support our family while I get things up and running.<h4>1851: How did you initially find out about franchising?&nbsp;</h4>Brandal: I’ve always wanted to own my own business. I wanted to open my own restaurant but it was too much time and too many weekends, which meant I wouldn’t have time to be with my family. I looked around at other positions first but wasn’t finding much that I was interested in, or had the background for. All this prompted me to reach out to a franchise consultant; I was actually working with two at the time. They came back with some work from home options and GYMGUYZ fell into place.<h4>1851: Why did you choose to franchise with GYMGUYZ?</h4>Brandal: I have hereditary disc degeneration in my lower back and neck and suffer from inflammation/osteoarthritis. I switched to a plant-based diet late last year and have seen vast improvements both physically and mentally. I look forward to helping others in regard to core strengthening, flexibility and nutritional advice.I’ve been influenced by having a six-year-old and a three-year-old and I would like to provide customized fitness programs/camps for individual children, teens and college students, as well as small group training/classes for neighborhoods, large families or private preschools/daycare facilities. Ideally my trainers could work with student-athletes, too, while they are restricted to homeschooling and sports are canceled because of COVID-19.The corporate wellness program options are another avenue I want to pursue. My trainers would be able to go to local offices and production facilities or offer home-based employees the option to come to their home. The convenience and accountability factors are unique to the brand.<h4>1851: Why did you choose to go into franchising over starting your own business?</h4>Brandal: I wanted a set business model, culture and so forth. My wife and I have always been into sports and fitness for the most part, so GYMGUYZ was somewhat familiar territory. The corporate culture was a good fit for my personality and business background. My old company was also very similar to franchising, they gave us the opportunity to run our own business under a corporate shell. They would check in on me on a monthly basis, but it was up to me how successful I would be.<h4>1851: What are your dreams with the business? What does the future look like?</h4>Brandal: Not sure yet — we’ll see. I need this first year to get up and running and after that I would be open to expanding.&nbsp;<h4>1851: What value do you see your business providing to Phoenix?</h4>Brandal: The virtual gym option will be a winner. With brick-and-mortar gyms in Phoenix still being closed, this was a great option for the market. We’re bringing a service to the customer. We also offer virtual training for potential customers who are hesitant about people coming in their homes.&nbsp;With there being a high senior and retired population here around Phoenix, I look forward to being able to help them become more active both within their home during the pandemic&nbsp;as well as beyond it.

The Great Franchisee: Matthew Brandal, GYMGUYZ, Phoenix

1851 Franchise

The Chicago expat is bringing in-home and virtual training options to Southwest Valley residents.

the-great-franchisee-matthew-brandal-gymguyz-phoenix

CapitalSpring

Graphic with orange chart and hand pointing at graph

CapitalSpring Closes on Initial $505 Million of $1 Billion Target just Two Months After the Launch of its Seventh Flagship Investment Fund 

capitalspring-closes-505m-fund-vii

Children's Lighthouse

How Families Are Building Brighter Futures Together With Children’s Lighthouse

how-families-are-building-brighter-futures-together-with-childrens-lighthouse

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Franchise - Paul and Will Harris - 1851 Franchise

Keeping the Crystal Coast Comfortable: How a Father-Son Duo Brought One Hour HVAC to Their Community

one-hour-heating-ac-franchise-paul-will-harris-crystal-coast

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions: A Recession-Resistant Franchise Opportunity for Entrepreneurs

caring-transitions-a-recession-resistant-franchise-opportunity-for-entrepreneurs

Minuteman Press International

L-R: Bob Titus (CEO), Eric Shank (Catonsville, MD), Bob Heimbuch (RVP), and Nick Titus (President).

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Eric Shank Recognized at World Expo

minuteman-press-franchise-owner-eric-shank-earns-standing-ovation-at-world-expo-for-growth-in-catonsville-md

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

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

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

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of April De Jesus and Paris Baguette logo

Real Estate Entrepreneur and Mom of Two, April De Jesus Builds Her Family Legacy with Paris Baguette in Toronto

paris-baguette-april-dejesus-yorkdale

image of john oldham from pool scouts franchise in Greater South Fort Worth

New Franchisee Brings Hard Work and Heart to His New Pool Scouts Business in  Greater South Fort Worth

The Great Franchisee: Matthew Brandal, GYMGUYZ, Phoenix

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS