1851

Making the transition from an emerging to an established franchise brand can be a challenging one. Not only is it rare for franchises to cross the milestone 100-unit mark&mdash;it&rsquo;s even more of an accomplishment when brands are able to take that momentum and continue growing to establish a presence that spans thousands of locations across the globe. So, what does it take to be one of those big brands? 1851 Franchise caught up with Chuck Runyon, the co-founder and CEO behind one of the fastest growing concepts in the fitness industry&mdash;<a href="https://www.anytimefitnessfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=tricks-to-becoming-a-big-franchise-brand-a-conversation-with-anytime-fitness-2705708" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anytime Fitness</a>&mdash;to learn more <a href="https://1851franchise.com/details/2705694/How-Anytime-Fitness-Found-a-Winning-Way-in-Fitness" target="_blank">not only about how the brand is excelling in its segment</a>, but how it&#39;s become a rapidly expanding leader in the industry overall.

1851 Franchise: What advice do you have for other franchisors&mdash;in any industry&mdash;that are&nbsp;trying to become a big, established brand?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chuck Runyon, co-founder and CEO of <a href="https://anytimefitness.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=tricks-to-becoming-a-big-franchise-brand-a-conversation-with-anytime-fitness-2705708" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anytime Fitness</a>: When you boil it down, the two things that matter most are franchisee profitability and trust.&nbsp;If you listen to franchisees and put their success first, franchisees will buy more units and growth will follow.&nbsp;The best leaders understand that nobody is an expert at everything. If you surround yourself with good people, and you lead by setting a good example, you&rsquo;ll give your team the best possible opportunity to realize its fullest potential.

1851: In your opinion, what are the things that brands absolutely need in order to become a large concept?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Runyon: Proven consumer appeal, a business model that reduces human variability through automation and repeatable processes in a steady or growing sector.&nbsp;Nobody likes unpleasant surprises.&nbsp;You need to provide your customers with the products and services they enjoy &ndash; whenever they want them and however they prefer them.&nbsp;And then, when their preferences change, you need to be nimble enough to accommodate those changes.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

1851: Do you have any tips or tricks that have helped Anytime Fitness become a big brand?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Runyon: Most brands understand the importance of designing a better consumer experience.&nbsp;But most companies stop there&mdash;and that&rsquo;s a big mistake.&nbsp;We design a better experience for all of our stakeholders &ndash; members, franchisees, employees, vendors and even our board members. And we&rsquo;re always nurturing these groups by investing in,&nbsp;and living,&nbsp;our core values:&nbsp;<a href="https://lovework.sebrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=tricks-to-becoming-a-big-franchise-brand-a-conversation-with-anytime-fitness-2705708" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">People, Purpose, Profits and Play</a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;

1851: Now that Anytime Fitness has become such an established concept, how are you continuing to build on that momentum to maintain your position as a brand to beat?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Another secret to our success has been to balance a micro and macro mindset. Do we think strategically about leading a global network of nearly 4,000 clubs?&nbsp;Yes, of course.&nbsp; But if you&nbsp;only&nbsp;think about the big numbers, you&rsquo;ll lose sight of the small numbers&mdash;and that&rsquo;s what the big numbers are made of. That&rsquo;s why we still think about the franchisee in Omaha, or the member walking into our club in Madrid, and we ask ourselves,&nbsp;&ldquo;How can we further assist that single-unit owner with running a profitable business, or how can we help that member gain more education, motivation or achieve progress from working out at Anytime Fitness?&rdquo;&nbsp;We grew from 10 clubs to 20 clubs by focusing on individuals. If we hope to grow from 4,000 to 8,000 clubs, we need to do the same thing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tricks to Becoming a Big Franchise Brand: A Conversation with Anytime Fitness

1851 Franchise

Anytime Fitness co-founder and CEO Chuck Runyon offers insight into the fitness concept’s successful journey from emerging to established brand.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

tricks-to-becoming-a-big-franchise-brand-a-conversation-with-anytime-fitness

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Hometown News: Like Father, Like Son — Family-Run Inspection Business Blends Generations of Expertise and a Keen Eye for Detail

father-son-home-inspection-franchise-florida

KLA Schools

KLA Schools of Beachwalk Hosts Admissions Kick-Off Celebration

kla-schools-of-beachwalk-hosts-admissions-kick-off-celebration

Good Day Columbus: Home Insurance Expert Reveals Why Central Ohio Premiums Are Rising and How to Combat Costs

rising-home-insurance-costs-ohio

CapitalSpring

Primetime Fitness Expands Crunch Portfolio With CapitalSpring’s Backing

primetime-fitness-expands-crunch-portfolio-with-capitalsprings-backing

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees Scale to Multiple Locations

how-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees-scale-to-multiple-locations

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

How Network In Action Is Redefining the Franchise Model With Community, Connection and Fast ROI

network-in-action-franchise-scott-talley-interview

Design with image of employee holding card reader and customer paying

How Smart Retail Franchises Are Winning Against Online Competition

retail-franchise-opportunities

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

Tricks to Becoming a Big Franchise Brand: A Conversation with Anytime Fitness

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS