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

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

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

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

The Great Franchisee: Matthew Brandal, GYMGUYZ, Phoenix

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS