How Much Does a Planet Fitness Franchise Owner Make?
Planet Fitness franchise owners earn approximately $200,000–$320,000 annually per location based on a 2025 FDD average AUV of $1.87M ($1.79M median) and estimated operating margins of 13–18%. Planet Fitness is the dominant value gym franchise in the US — 2,298+ locations, $1.87M average AUV, a proven membership model at $10–$25/month, and a publicly traded franchisor (NYSE: PLNT) with transparent unit-level disclosures. The brand targets value-conscious consumers and has built the largest gym membership base in the country through consistent low-price positioning.
Key Takeaways
- Planet Fitness franchise owners earn $200K–$320K per year on $1.87M avg AUV
- $1.5M–$5.2M total investment; $3M liquid capital required
- 7% royalty on monthly dues; recurring membership model provides predictable income
- AUV grew 25% from 2019 to 2025 ($1.5M → $1.87M)
- Monitor 2026 SSS — lower-income consumer softness may compress near-term AUV growth
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Planet Fitness Quick Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average AUV (FDD Item 19) | $1,870,000 |
| Median AUV | $1,790,000 |
| Bottom-Third Median AUV | $1,227,398 |
| Item 19 Disclosure | Yes — avg, median, quartile breakdown |
| Estimated Owner Income | $200K–$320K per location |
| Royalty Rate | 7% of gross monthly membership dues |
| Ad Fund | $0.10/member/month (varies) |
| Initial Investment | $1.5M–$5.2M |
| Franchise Fee | $20,000 |
| Liquid Capital Required | $3.0M |
| Net Worth Required | $3.0M |
| US Locations | ~2,298 |
| NYSE Ticker (Franchisor) | PLNT |
| Avg Payback Period | 7–12 years |
How Much Does a Planet Fitness Franchise Owner Make Per Year?
Planet Fitness’s 2025 FDD discloses AUV data with an average of $1,870,000 and median of $1,790,000 across franchised locations. The bottom-third median AUV of $1,227,398 confirms that even lower-performing Planet Fitness locations generate meaningful revenue. Applying fitness industry operating margin benchmarks:
| AUV Tier | Est. Operating Margin (13–18%) | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|
| $1.23M (bottom-third) | 10–13% | $123K–$160K |
| $1.79M (median) | 13–17% | $233K–$304K |
| $1.87M (average) | 13–18% | $243K–$337K |
| $2.5M+ (top performers) | 15–20% | $375K–$500K |
Methodology: Planet Fitness 2025 FDD average AUV $1,870,000 and median $1,790,000. 13–17% operating margin applied after 7% royalty, occupancy (~15–18% of revenue for large-format gyms), staffing (Planet Fitness’s lean staffing model keeps labor at 15–20% vs. boutique studios’ 35–45%), and minimal COGS. Planet Fitness is a high-revenue, high-capital gym franchise — the $1.5M–$5.2M investment creates an 8–14 year payback at median income. Always consult the current FDD.
How Much Does a Planet Fitness Franchise Owner Make Per Month?
At median AUV of $1.79M and estimated annual income of $233K–$304K, a Planet Fitness franchise owner earns approximately $19,400–$25,300 per month before taxes and debt service. High-AUV locations at $2.5M+ can exceed $30,000–$40,000 monthly.
What Makes Planet Fitness Unit Economics Work
- Volume membership model: $10–$25/month dues create massive member counts (typically 6,000–10,000 per location) that generate $1.5M–$2.5M in recurring annual revenue with very low per-member service cost
- Lean staffing: Planet Fitness operates with minimal staff (4–8 per shift vs. 15–25+ at boutique gyms) — labor efficiency is a key margin driver
- Consistent demand floor: Value-tier pricing creates near-recession-proof membership demand — Planet Fitness actually grew membership during economic downturns when premium fitness faltered
- AUV growth trajectory: Planet Fitness system AUV has grown consistently from ~$1.5M (2019) to $1.87M (2025) — a 25% increase that has outpaced inflation
- 2026 outlook caution: VettedBiz notes Planet Fitness faces a “softer 2026 outlook as lower-income consumers tighten spending” — monitor SSS in early 2026 before committing
How Does Planet Fitness Compare to Other Gym Franchises?
| Brand | AUV | Investment | Income Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planet Fitness | $1.79M (median) | $1.5M–$5.2M | $200K–$320K |
| Anytime Fitness | $452K (median) | $459K–$908K | $57K–$72K |
| Crunch Fitness | ~$2.0M (est.) | $1.0M–$3.0M | $180K–$300K |
| Club Pilates | $969K | $385K–$839K | ~$160K |
Planet Fitness delivers the strongest AUV among franchisable gym concepts at comparable scale. The high investment requirement ($1.5M–$5.2M, $3M liquid) limits buyers to well-capitalized operators. For full FDD data, visit FranchisePayback.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planet Fitness Franchise Owner Income
What is a Planet Fitness franchise owner’s average income?
Based on Planet Fitness’s 2025 FDD average AUV of $1.87M and estimated operating margins of 13–17%, a Planet Fitness franchise owner earns approximately $200,000–$320,000 annually per location. The bottom-third median AUV of $1.23M still generates $123K–$160K, confirming that even lower-performing locations produce meaningful income.
Is Planet Fitness a good franchise investment?
Planet Fitness is one of the strongest gym franchise opportunities for well-capitalized operators — $1.87M AUV, recurring membership revenue, lean operating model, and a 25% AUV growth over 6 years. The $1.5M–$5.2M investment and $3M liquid capital requirement screen for experienced investors. The 2026 outlook caution from softer lower-income consumer spending is worth monitoring but is a systemic market trend, not a Planet Fitness-specific problem.
What is the payback period for a Planet Fitness franchise?
At $1.5M–$5.2M investment and $200K–$320K in estimated annual income, the payback period is approximately 7–12 years depending on entry format and location performance. Operators who build multiple locations over time benefit from shared overhead and improve per-unit economics.
Where can I find Planet Fitness FDD data?
Full FDD data and disclosure details for Planet Fitness are available at FranchisePayback.com.
Bottom Line: Is a Planet Fitness Franchise Worth It?
Planet Fitness is the most proven value gym franchise in the US — 2,298+ locations, $1.87M AUV, recurring membership model, and consistent multi-year AUV growth. For operators with $3M+ in liquid capital, it’s one of the more predictable large-format franchise investments available. The long payback (7–12 years) and high capital bar are the constraints. Monitor 2026 SSS trends before committing, given the lower-income consumer spending softness that may compress near-term AUV growth.
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— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026