Top Players in Franchise Development: Randy Trotter

Randy Trotter didn’t get into franchising on purpose—for this franchise executive, it happened organically. In the 1990’s, Trotter and his wife owned several pet supply stores. In 1994, they decided to franchise the concept, eventually growing their company from four units to 10 before selling it. But Trotter had been bitten by the franchise bug, and later went on to work in the QSR industry, where he helped brands like Quizno’s with their franchise sales as well as finding the right real estate.

Trotter met WORKOUT ANYTIME Co-Founders John Quattrocchi and Steve Strickland through his work in the industry just as they were starting to franchise the concept in 2006. He signed on to the brand shortly thereafter as the Vice President of Development, and since then, he’s helped them grow past their hometown market of Atlanta to 100 clubs in 17 states.

What makes your brand’s franchise development process tick?

When I first joined the brand, which was right as WORKOUT ANYTIME was beginning to franchise, we focused on developing our home market of Atlanta. Once we had a presence there, we sold off our corporate-owned stores and started to grow outwards into states that bordered Georgia. This allowed us to be nearby for support.

WORKOUT ANYTIME’s rapid development is a nod to our intriguing model. In all other franchises I worked with, you had to worry about inventory and all of the issues that come along with that. With WORKOUT ANYTIME, there is recurring income and a membership component that make it such a solid business model. I was so intrigued by it that I am still a part owner of a WORKOUT ANYTIME club in South Carolina.

What have been some of your brand’s major milestones?

A huge milestone for us was when we sold our 100^th club, which opened just a few weeks ago in Bardstown, Kentucky. Fewer than 1 percent of franchisors ever reach 100 units, so that’s a huge deal for us.

What are you most proud of?

I really enjoy seeing people change their lives and become financially independent. That’s the lifestyle most franchisees are looking for—one with stability and independence.

What specific steps do your most successful franchisees take in order to build and grow their respective businesses? And what do you do to set them up for success?

We offer a lot of support from start to finish with our franchisees, and it all starts with the interview process. Not everyone is a fit for the brand, so we make sure our franchisees are the right individuals to take on owning and operating a WORKOUT ANYTIME.