Hot Ground Gym Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)
Hot Ground Gym is a youth-focused fitness franchise that first opened its doors in 2013 in Northbrook, Illinois. It was founded by military veterans Doug Gialds and Sam Simpson, who set out to create a new kind of training environment for kids.
Today, the company operates from its headquarters in Libertyville, Illinois, and officially launched its franchise program in 2023.
The concept was designed to fill a gap in children’s fitness by offering structured programs that are both exciting and meaningful. Rather than limiting activities to exercise alone, Hot Ground Gym combines obstacle-based challenges with lessons in character development and resilience.
Programs include after-school fitness classes, seasonal camps, birthday events, and group team-building sessions. Each session is led by instructors who come from military or emergency service backgrounds, giving the experience a disciplined and motivational edge.
What makes Hot Ground Gym stand out is its five-pillar system for building confidence: discipline, obstacle-course fitness, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.
Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Hot Ground Gym franchise? It costs on average between $163,000 – $317,000 to start a Hot Ground Gym franchised studio.
This includes expenses for facility build-out, fitness equipment, supplies, and initial operating costs. The total investment varies based on factors such as the size of the gym, the chosen location, and whether the franchisee decides to lease or purchase the property.
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 – $40,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $0 – $80,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment | $50,000 – $65,000 |
| Signage | $3,000 – $6,500 |
| Rent and Security Deposit | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| Opening Inventory and Supplies | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Additional Training Expenses | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Professional Fees, Permits, Licenses | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Insurance Premiums | $7,000 – $18,000 |
| Computer Systems | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Additional Funds – 3 Months | $50,000 – $65,000 |
| Total Estimated Initial Investment | $163,000 – $317,000 |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Hot Ground Gym franchise? A Hot Ground Gym franchised business makes on average $345,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
Download the Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Hot Ground Gym locations are there?
Hot Ground Gym currently has two company-owned locations and one franchised location.
What is the total investment required to open a Hot Ground Gym franchise?
The total investment required to open a Hot Ground Gym franchise ranges from $163,000 to $317,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a Hot Ground Gym franchise?
A Hot Ground Gym franchise requires an ongoing royalty fee of 6% of gross revenue. At this time, no separate national marketing or advertising fee is specified in the available franchise information.
How much can a Hot Ground Gym franchise owner expect to earn?
The average gross sales for a Hot Ground Gym franchise are approximately $0.35 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $0.35 million yearly revenue can result in $53,000 EBITDA annually.
Who owns Hot Ground Gym?
Hot Ground Gym is owned by military veterans and former first responders,” a group who’ve built the concept with a passion for instilling discipline, leadership, teamwork, and confidence in kids via obstacle‑course–based fitness and life‑skill challenges.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
