Premier opportunity in health clubs

With the objective of providing world class fitness club facilities fitted with ultra modern fitness machines and manned with finest national and international fitness trainers, Ozone Fitness n Spa was started. In an interview Naveen Kandhari, Managing Director, Ozone Spa Private Limited shares more about the venture and its future aspirations.

Abha Garyali (AG): Shed some light on the inception, growth and success of ‘Ozone Fitness n Spa’.

Naveen Kandhari (NK): ‘Ozone Fitness n Spa’ is a chain of  the country’s premier boutique health clubs n spa and also has the privilege to have been the first chain of health clubs awarded with the ISO-9001-2000 and ISO-14001 certifications. Presently, Ozone is operating with seven boutique health clubs and spa in New Delhi, Gurgaon and Hyderabad, each one of the health clubs has been designed in an approximated area of 12,000 sq.ft and more.

AG: When and what motivated you to start the company? What made you adopt the franchise route for expansion of Ozone Fitness n Spa?

NK: The company was started in the year 2002 with an objective of providing world class fitness club facilities fitted with ultra modern fitness machines and manned with finest national and international fitness trainers to help the club members achieve their total fitness goals in the most structured manner. Franchising undoubtedly is a successful formula worldwide for rapid business expansion; ‘Ozone Fitness n Spa’ has also earmarked its pan India expansion through appointing franchise partners at the selected locations in the country.

AG: What is the USP of Ozone Fitness n Spa?

NK: Apart from high end, high tech equipment and five star facilities with a team of highly qualified fitness trainer from abroad, we offer perfect blend of luxury and fitness, which makes our brand a complete lifestyle product.

AG: In the last few years we have seen a sudden emergence of the fitness and spa sector. What can you say about its future success in the country?

NK: Fitness Industry worldwide is increasing with a phenomenal rate. People irrespective of their economic conditions want to stay fit and healthy. In India, fitness industry is on the upward mode. The size of the total fitness market in India has been estimated at Rs 2900 crore which is growing further at a phenomenal rate. More and more people are taking memberships of various fitness clubs available in their vicinity as per the size of their pocket. Fitness Industry in India, by and large, has a bright future ahead.

AG: Do you face competition from the organised players? What strategies have you employed for handling the competition?

NK: We stay significantly ahead from our competitors in terms of rendering world class health club and spa services. Our member’s list includes CEOs, senior executives of renowned corporate houses, celebrities, who come to pursue their fitness and well being goals. We adopt a simple strategy of not compromising on quality standards in terms of creating and maintaining   infrastructure, fitness training qualities etc. We hire international fitness trainers to upgrade our services from time to time. We do have in-house laundry plant and water filtration plant within the clubs only to maintain highest hygiene standards. We also do offer our distinctive members valet parking facilities for their vehicles.

AG: Do you think that franchising can help in achieving success of Ozone Fitness n Spa?

NK: Franchising is a tested tool worldwide for rapid business expansion and that’s what we have decided to go along to augment our business presence across the country.

AG: How many franchisees do you have at present? What are your future expansion plans?

NK: Currently we have two franchise units operating in New Delhi and Gurgaon, each one is spread over an area of 12,000 sq.ft. We have plans to open 50 more premier boutique health clubs n spa pan India in a span of five years. We have decided to work on FOCO model i.e., Franchisee Owned and Company Operated model which offers the highest business viability to our franchisees. We already have good number of franchise leads in hand that we are evaluating further as per our business strategy for franchisee sign ups.

AG: What are the qualities and qualifications that you seek in your franchisees? How much investment is required by aspiring franchisees?

NK: We need enthusiastic entrepreneurs who want to make big in the fitness industry, to be appointed as our franchisees. Our prospective franchisees should have necessary financial capability to pump in the necessary funds in the project. Applicants, who are the owners, would be preferred.

AG: How does the company plans to support and train the franchisees?

NK: Our business model would be based on FOCO (Franchisee owned and Company Operated) concept. We would help the franchisee partner in franchise site architecture, procurement of instruments and equipments at special rates, recruitment and training of staff, pre-launch sale planning, launch planning etc. We would completely undertake the day to day business operations of the franchise units.