Young Ones To Watch: Bryan Ercolano, Founder and CEO of Redemption Fitness

After completing a program in franchising at Georgetown University, Bryan Ercolano was hooked. The now 32-year-old decided to become a franchisee and bought into TruFusion, a boutique fitness brand. However, after a year of operating that location, Ercolano wanted to create something of his own.

Using both his experience as a franchisee for TruFusion and his knowledge of franchising from the program at Georgetown, Ercolano opened Redemption Fitness. Redemption is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) fitness concept featuring three unique studio experiences. During each visit, members have the option to choose from an indoor cycle experience, a blended cardiovascular and strength training studio or a full-body boxing and kickboxing workout. In an interview with 1851 Franchise, Ercolano shared what drew him to franchising, his advice for other up-and-comers and the advice he would give to his younger self.

1851: What initially drew you to franchising? 

Ercolano: I’ve always loved the idea of creating a company and working for myself, and I fell into franchising about six years ago when I took a program at Georgetown University that focused on franchising. I always knew it was an industry I wanted to be a part of, and I attended about 12 discovery days before purchasing a TruFusion franchise of my own in Las Vegas. TruFusion is another boutique fitness franchise, but with a focus on yoga, pilates, barre and cycling. After about a year, I sold the location back to the franchisor, they made it a corporate store and I created Redemption Fitness. I used that franchise as a learning experience to create my own brand. 

My background is in project management, and I created Redemption Fitness because I was looking for a specific service business model. Fitness is a good thing to sell and it’s long-lasting. It’s also something I am personally passionate about. I typically work out five to six times per week, and lost 60 pounds in the process.

1851: Where do you see the most opportunity in franchising and why are you excited about the future of the industry?

Ercolano: I think franchising offers a unique perspective on business ownership. If you start your own business, one of the biggest initial challenges is capital. The benefit of franchising is that you’re leveraging someone else's resources and capital, which then gives you more time to focus on your core modality and the processes of the business itself. 

In fitness franchising, in particular, this is a great time to join the industry because you continually see people investing in their health. Millennials drive the market, and we’re high-spenders who want something that provides more than a service—it’s an experience.

Redemption is a fitness concept, but really, we’re in hospitality. A boutique fitness brand like Redemption is more than just another workout; it becomes a social experience. It’s a feature of the industry that keeps growing within niche markets. I just don’t think individual cycling or boxing studios will be as long-lasting as more comprehensive studios. Redemption offers cycling, weight training, cardio and boxing with competitive pricing. Variety is what the future holds. 

1851: What advice do you have for other young up-and-comers in the space?

Ercolano: Be able to adapt to the market. Things are constantly changing, so having flexibility with your programming and your model is important. We’ve been open about a year and a half, and we have no problems making changes based on feedback from members and employees. We have one location open now and three signed leases throughout Las Vegas. We’re planning to franchise nationally starting next year.

1851: What advice would you give your younger self?

Ercolano: Be patient. Everyone wants instant gratification. When you’re building your company and learning along the way, you’re going to have a lot of hiccups. If you’re able to ride the wave, that’s what sets you up for success.

1851: Who is someone you look to for inspiration?

Ercolano: I don’t look at an individual person necessarily, but other companies. Across the space, we look at some of the major competitors that we can learn from. Among those are Barry’s Bootcamp, SoulCycle, and Rumble. At the core of all three of these businesses, they don’t just sell fitness, they sell hospitality and customer service. The moment you walk into one of those establishments—from being greeted, to the amenities, to the hand towels and soap in the locker rooms—things leave a lasting impression. You leave all of those places with a feeling of euphoria, and we intend to approach Redemption Fitness with that same level of dedication to the customer experience.