Fitness Franchise Owner Income: How Much Do Gym Franchise Owners Make?
Fitness franchise owners earn between $45,000 and $400,000+ annually depending on format, market, and investment level. This guide compares income data from FDD Item 19 disclosures across 8 major fitness franchise brands — from Planet Fitness ($1.87M AUV) to Pure Barre ($345K AUV) — covering value gyms, boutique studios, and large-format fitness chains.
Last Updated: July 2026 | Data sourced from current FDD Item 19 disclosures
Fitness Franchise Owner Income Comparison Table
| Brand | Avg/Median AUV | Total Fees | Investment | Est. Annual Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunch Fitness | $2.506M | ~7% | $804K–$6.7M | $250K–$400K |
| Planet Fitness | $1.87M (avg) | ~8% | $1.5M–$5.2M | $200K–$320K |
| Orangetheory Fitness | ~$808K | 11% | $822K–$1.38M | $121K–$145K |
| Club Pilates | $969K (median) | 10% | $385K–$839K | $140K–$160K |
| Anytime Fitness | $452K (median) | ~8–9% | $459K–$908K | $57K–$72K |
| F45 Training | $407K (median) | ~9%+flat | $349K–$786K | $61K–$73K |
| Pure Barre | $345K (avg) | 9% | $314K–$629K | $45K–$65K |
| Gold’s Gym | varies | ~7–8% | $1.5M–$6.8M | $150K–$600K |
| Hand & Stone | $850K–$1.2M | ~8% | $522K–$654K | $120K–$250K |
Which Fitness Franchise Makes the Most Money?
Crunch Fitness ($250K–$400K) delivers the strongest per-unit income on $2.506M average AUV with only ~7% total fees — the lowest in the major gym franchise segment. Planet Fitness ($200K–$320K) is the safest large-format bet with 2,298+ locations and consistent AUV growth from $1.5M (2019) to $1.87M (2025).
Boutique studios (Club Pilates, Orangetheory) generate $120K–$160K on $400K–$850K investments — solid returns in the right markets. F45 and Pure Barre carry the weakest unit economics in the segment. Both require significant caution: F45 has system contraction signals and a AVOID rating; Pure Barre and Club Pilates share Xponential Fitness parent-company risk.
Fitness Franchise Investment by Format
| Format | Best Brand | AUV | Income Est. | Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large-format value gym | Planet Fitness | $1.87M | $200K–$320K | $1.5M–$5.2M |
| Large-format premium gym | Crunch Fitness | $2.506M | $250K–$400K | $804K–$6.7M |
| 24/7 unstaffed key-fob | Anytime Fitness | $452K | $57K–$72K | $459K–$908K |
| Heart-rate boutique | Orangetheory | ~$808K | $121K–$145K | $822K–$1.38M |
| Reformer Pilates studio | Club Pilates | $969K | $140K–$160K | $385K–$839K |
| Functional training | F45 Training | $407K | $61K–$73K | $349K–$786K |
| Barre studio | Pure Barre | $345K | $45K–$65K | $314K–$629K |
Frequently Asked Questions About Fitness Franchise Owner Income
How much does a gym franchise owner make?
Gym franchise owner income ranges widely by format. Planet Fitness owners earn $200K–$320K on $1.87M AUV; Anytime Fitness owners earn $57K–$72K on $452K median AUV. Crunch Fitness is the strongest per-unit performer at $250K–$400K on $2.506M AUV with the lowest fee burden (~7%) in the segment.
Is a fitness franchise a good investment?
Large-format gym franchises (Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness) have strong recurring membership revenue and proven unit economics. Boutique studios (Club Pilates, Orangetheory) can deliver solid returns in affluent markets but require careful site selection. F45 carries significant investment risk due to system contraction and corporate financial distress.
What is the best fitness franchise to own?
Crunch Fitness offers the best combination of AUV ($2.506M), fees (~7%), and estimated income ($250K–$400K). Planet Fitness is the safer bet with 2,298+ proven locations and consistent AUV growth. For lower investment, Club Pilates delivers $140K–$160K income on $385K–$839K despite Xponential parent risk.
How much does a Planet Fitness franchise cost?
A Planet Fitness franchise costs $1.5M–$5.2M in total investment, with $3.0M in liquid capital required. The franchise fee is $20,000. Planet Fitness charges 7% royalty on gross monthly membership dues.
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— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026. All income estimates based on FDD Item 19 data and industry benchmarks. Always consult the current FDD before making any franchise investment decision.