Sitting Pretty
Here's a truly beautiful idea -- owning and operating your own business while at the same time helping others look and feel great! These health-conscious businesses will pump up your customers and your profits.
Here's our list of the 10 health & beauty franchises that scored the highest in our AllBusiness AllStar franchise rankings.
1. Jazzercise
While fitness fads come and go, dance fitness franchise Jazzercise has kept going strong since the company was founded nearly 40 years ago. 2008 marked the most successful year in Jazzercise's history, with a 9 percent systemwide sales increase over 2007.
Check out the full
Jazzercise franchise profile.
2. Fitness Together
This personal training franchise uses an area-director model, which allows franchisees to sell and promote studios. Late last year Fitness Together signed on with the Findley Group, a leading franchise development group. Findley Group founder Gary Findley brings to the system his expertise as the former president of the Curves franchise system.
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Fitness Together franchise profile.
3. Anytime Fitness
Convenience and affordability have been key factors in Anytime Fitness's impressive growth, and the company has doubled in size since 2006. Company president Chuck Runyon has big plans to keep growing the business this year, and with nearly 800 U.S. franchises operating and 2,100 franchise territories sold so far, he is well on his way.
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Anytime Fitness franchise profile.
4. Snap Fitness
Several factors position Snap Fitness to do well in a down economy: Snap Fitness offers compact, no-frills fitness centers, and the cost of membership is lower than at big-box fitness clubs. The company's number of units has increased nearly fivefold since 2006.
Check out the full
Snap Fitness franchise profile.
5. Massage Envy
A relatively new company, Massage Envy started franchising in 2003 and has quickly taken off. The company tripled its number of units between 2006 and 2008. Last year, Massage Envy was acquired by Veria, a natural health and wellness company that owns a TV network, wellness centers, and a Web site, and the strength of this parent company will likely help further increase brand awareness.
Check out the full
Massage Envy franchise profile.
6. Jenny Craig
Jenny Craig received a financial boost in 2006 when it was bought by the Swiss food manufacturer Nestle Foods, which has allowed Jenny Craig to renovate outdated centers and launch a program to tailor weight-loss plans to specific needs. Franchisees benefit from the company's celebrity marketing programs and brand recognition.
Check out the full
Jenny Craig franchise profile.
7. Gold's Gym
The original branded fitness center, Gold's Gym has extraordinary name recognition and a national and international presence. Last year, the system launched an aggressive Conversion Program option to attract independent fitness operators to join Gold's, and the company has also made itself a presence on the popular social networking site Facebook.
Check out the full
Gold's Gym franchise profile.
8. Planet Beach Franchising Corporation
Originally launched as a tanning business, Planet Beach has recently rebranded itself as an "automated day spa," offering consumers a low-cost way to relieve stress and maintain their appearance. Planet Beach has enjoyed more than 20 percent unit growth between 2006 and 2008 alone.
Check out the full
Planet Beach franchise profile.
9. LA Boxing Franchise
A few years back, women-only fitness centers were the hot ticket, but now niche fitness programs like boxing are hot. A strong up-and-comer that's had a huge growth spurt, LA Boxing has only been franchising for five years. With such a relatively new franchise concept, the market isn't yet saturated and there are still opportunities to get in on the ground floor of this industry.
Check out the full
LA Boxing franchise profile.
10. Elements Therapeutic Massage
Elements Therapeutic Massage has only been franchising since 2006, but has attained incredible growth in that short amount of time. Its parent company Fitness Together Holdings (also the parent of personal training franchise Fitness Together) is branding the two concepts together to create an international wellness organization.
Check out the full
Elements franchise profile.