Franchise Deep Dive: The Bar Method Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

What started as a dream to empower all kinds of people to build strong, healthy bodies has grown to nearly 100 studios in the U.S. and Canada.

By Victoria CampisiStaff Writer

11:11AM • 12/04/23

LAST UPDATED: October 2023

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://franchising.barmethod.com/

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: about 100

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $237,559–$499,869

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $555K AUV (2022, top one-third of franchise owners)

The Bar Method is a fitness franchise that offers a total body workout designed to strengthen, sculpt and lengthen muscles through low-impact, isometric movements.

How Many The Bar Method Locations Are There?

The Bar Method was founded by Burr Leonard, who has always been an avid lover of ballet and jazz classes. In 1981, while living in New York, she was introduced to the Lotte Berk Method and became a devoted student after noticing a transformation in her body. She dreamed of creating her own version of the exercise technique and empowering people of all ages and physical abilities to build strong, healthy bodies.

Leonard started working in close collaboration with a team of physical therapists and honed the method to make it safer for the joints and to more effectively target the muscles. When the technique was perfected, she took inspiration from her father George Leonard’s book “Mastery” to develop a teaching approach that would enable and encourage students to make lifelong changes to their bodies and their everyday lives outside the classroom. The product was The Bar Method.

The first flagship studio was opened in San Francisco, California, in 2001. Loyal clients soon started exploring the idea of opening their own studios. Leonard loved the idea of helping individuals pursue their passion and become entrepreneurs, so she oversaw the opening of the first franchised studios in California.

In 2019, The Bar Method joined the Self Esteem Brands family of wellness brands, including Anytime Fitness, Basecamp Fitness, Waxing the City and Stronger U Nutrition. Today, there are close to 100 studios owned by brave and brilliant entrepreneurs across the United States and Canada.

What Is the The Bar Method Business Model?

The Bar Method’s business model allows franchisees to build business from all angles. This includes:

Diverse Virtual Class Options: Reach barre fans directly in their homes around the world. A library of online classes helps boost membership.
Mobile App For Members: Improve member engagement with The Bar Method’s mobile app. Clients can check the studio schedule and sign up for classes anytime and anywhere.
Monthly Memberships: Guests have the option to sign up for monthly memberships to each Bar Method studio.
Studio Store: Workout equipment, apparel and seasonal products can be available to members through a studio retail section.

Classes are taught by trained instructors and are designed to transform clients’ bodies through high-repetition, low-impact resistance training with elements of Pilates, yoga and other strength conditioning workouts. There are several class options, including:

Bar Method: The classic interval-training workout is designed to help clients burn fat and sculpt lean muscles. It features a well-designed sequence of specific movements and stretches.
Bar Strength: This barre strength class amplifies the signature barre exercises with challenging weight work and compound movements to get deeper into the muscle.
Bar Method Cardio: This fast-paced cardio class features high-intensity, low-impact movements.
Bar Flow: Flow infuses Vinyasa yoga flow sequences into the signature Bar Method class.
Bar Restore: During Restore classes, the first half of class features elements of the signature Bar Method class, while the second half slows down to focus on stretching.
Bar Combo: This shorter class includes strengthening and elongating benefits of a Bar Method class in just 30 minutes.

How Much Can The Bar Method Franchise Owners Make?

In 2022, the top one-third of franchise owners saw a $555K average unit volume.

How Much Does It Cost To Open The Bar Method?

Key financial requirements to know include:

$125K minimum liquid capital per location
$350K minimum net worth per location
$237,559–$499,869 estimated initial investment per location

What Is the Franchise Fee for The Bar Method?

The franchise fee is $42,500, according to Entrepreneur.

Who Is the Leadership of The Bar Method?

Burr Leonard — President and Founder
Chuck Runyon — CEO (Self Esteem Brands)
Dave Mortensem — President (Self Esteem Brands)
Stephanie Schon, MBA, PMP, CSP — Brand President of The Bar Method (Self Esteem Brands)
Frannie Wong — Chief Operating Officer

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About The Bar Method?

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