Members-Turned-Owners Purchase Workout Anytime, Aim to Bring City Together

Joseph Koons, at just 24 years old, has embarked on a journey of entrepreneurship by becoming the proud owner of a Workout Anytime franchise in Easley, South Carolina. Koons and his partner, Don Kinsela, are transitioning from dedicated members of the fitness community into passionate franchisees. 

Before joining the gym, Koons did not know much about Workout Anytime. But once he got there, he immediately felt a connection to the culture and people he met. Koons and Kinsela don’t plan to make any drastic changes to the gym the members know and love. They just hope to make it a place where the community can not only work on their fitness goals, but make meaningful connections. 

1851 Franchise spoke to Koons about his franchising journey with Workout Anytime. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Koons: My partner and I had been working out at Workout Anytime for many years. We just really love the community, love the place and love people. Once we heard that it was for sale, we decided to purchase it. We don’t want to change it; we want to keep it how it is. Before this, I was doing real estate. I own rental properties, and I’m also the director of another company. 

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Koons: My perception of franchising was just on a business-finance basis, where I understand that the branding is so important. I understand that the brand itself, if it is a good brand, is an extraordinarily valuable thing. And I've heard a lot of good things about Workout Anytime and was just thrilled to be a part of the team.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Koons: I joined really not knowing anything about Workout Anytime. But I immediately felt a connection with the atmosphere and with the culture that was there and the people. It had everything we needed. It seemed like a small community had built itself together at this place. I really had no reservations going into this. I knew it was a good brand, and I was just happy to be a part of it.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Koons: What I hope to achieve with his businesses is for it to be financially viable, while providing a great environment for our team, staff and community members. I want it to be somewhere the community can work out and focus on their health goals, while doing it in a place they appreciate. 

In terms of expansion, I would love to move forward and expand into Seneca. Seneca is definitely a location where I could potentially see us doing well. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Koons: Don and myself have been members of this community for some time. We've been members of Workout Anytime. We’re not here to drastically change things. We're just here to improve them and make them better. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Koons: Knowing that it's not just you, or you and your partner. You're part of a bigger team. You have a corporate team that's willing to help you and work with you on things. The team at Workout Anytime has been amazing. You have to understand you are part of a much larger picture, and a much larger team.

ABOUT WORKOUT ANYTIME*

Atlanta-based Workout Anytime is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week fitness concept with 190 units across the U.S. Founded by fitness veterans John Quattrocchi and Steve Strickland, the company was formed to provide members with first-class fitness facilities at the lowest cost possible while delivering a profitable and affordable business model to franchisees. Built on the founders’ motto of “think big, keep it simple and do it with integrity,” Workout Anytime is preparing for significant expansion into new territories across the U.S. and Central America by providing opportunities to business-minded entrepreneurs. Franchise opportunities are available, and more information can be found on workoutanytimefranchise.com.