Young Ones to Watch: Josh York, CEO and Founder of GYMGUYZ

Josh York has always been a man with a plan. The entrepreneur started his career with two goals: to turn his passion for fitness into a business and to grow that business into an empire through franchising. 

York began accomplishing both of those goals in 2008 from his parents' dining room, where, with just $15,000, he started GYMGUYZ, the mobile-fitness franchise that now has more than 250 locations across 30 states and three countries. And York has no plans to slow the growth of his company anytime soon.

1851 Franchise spoke with York to learn more about his story and learn his advice for up-and-coming franchise entrepreneurs.

1851 Franchise: How did you get into franchising?

Josh York: Getting into franchising was always part of my brand vision from day one. Working in franchising, it’s easy to surround yourself with so many people who have great minds and the same values as you. Teamwork makes the dream work, and the more powerful your team is, the better off you are.

1851: What do you love about the industry? 

York: I really love franchising. It can seem like such a big industry at first, but when you're engrossed in it, it can feel small, too — it's a community. Everyone in the franchise industry is so willing to help each other out, even across brands. I really like that a lot.

1851: What makes someone a good fit for the franchise industry? Are there traits that are shared by the most successful franchise professionals you know?

York: You get to be in business for yourself but not by yourself because you have the support of the entire franchise system.

Success on the franchisor side comes from a solid idea for a concept that can be both successful and scalable. Whether you want to scale your concept fast or at your own pace, it is important to surround yourself with great people who have the same vision and goals as you, franchising is a great way to grow a business. 

In a leadership role, it’s being able to serve, help and guide other people.

1851: How do you feel about the industry's response to the coronavirus crisis so far? Are there challenges or opportunities that the industry still needs to address?

York: The industry's response has been fantastic. There has been so much information-sharing and so many industry-wide webinars. Getting to hear from other brands about what they’re doing with their company, how they’re supplying masks and all the other precautions they are implementing has been so valuable and allows us to be sure we're doing everything we can to get through this successfully. 

There are always opportunities for improvement — you’ve got to be open to them. You can be successful and make moves, or you can make excuses, and making excuses will not help you to thrive.

GYMGUYZ’s business model continues to take off with a little extra added bump now that people aren’t comfortable going to the gym, and we’re seizing that opportunity. Everything you hear now is about safety and convenience, and it’s brought a lot more awareness to our brand. Being able to bring the workout to clients when they don’t feel at ease going to the gym has put us in a strong position.

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

York: Follow your passion: That’s the number-one, most important thing. Also, have patience, because growing a brand takes time. If you’re entering an established brand, you will be given all the tools you need to become successful, as long as you are driven. If you are starting from the ground up now, that will require more patience.