Leading US based gym chain that entered in the Indian market in 2012 has announced its expansion plans. Recently, John Kersh, Vice President, Anytime Fitness Gym US, visited India and unveiled big growth plans of his brand.
“We expect Anytime fitness would be the largest fitness brand in India, at some point in the future,” said Kersh.
The brand has plans to open 50 more outlets in the country by the end of the year 2015.
In an exclusive interaction with Wellness India, Kersh said that the brand is expanding in India via master franchise with local Indian partners.
“Well, our expansion in India has been in partnership with the local partners, master franchise. So, we collaborated closely under the expansion plan. But they are primarily responsible for opening and operating the gyms and developing the franchise network in India,” he noted.
Reportedly, an amount of about Rs 1 to 1.5 crore of investment is entailed to set up one club in India and Rs 10 lakh is charged as one-time fee for franchisee and thereafter, a fixed monthly amount of Rs 50,000 has been charged to continue with the franchise unit.
Commenting on the same, Vikas Jain, Managing Director, Anytime Fitness India, said, “A franchising model is the easiest way to become an entrepreneur. Anytime Fitness offers a unique and low-cost alternative option for those looking to enter to this fast-growing industry."
Further, Kersh added, “Majority of our 2,700 locations around the world is operated by independent franchisees. The same would be in India. We expect a majority of our future locations will be owned and operated by independent franchisees. Although our local partners have the opportunity to open gyms as they wish and they (the local partners), I know, have several plans in future.”
Known as the fastest growing fitness chain in the world, with about 2700 centers in a decade, Anytime fitness has opened its first center in Delhi and has eight fitness clubs in the country at the moment.
Commenting on the other focus areas across the globe, Kersh said, “One step at a time, our focus now is India and as I mentioned earlier, we are operating in 21 markets and our focus in every country is to maximize that opportunity and to be available to the consumers as possible by opening as many gyms as possible.”
After returning to the US, Kersh tweeted, ‘Big growth plans ahead in India for Anytime Fitness’ that may be a clue to Indian entrepreneurs to connect with the brand for franchising with the fastest growing fitness chain, which is eying big on the Indian market with elaborate business plans."
