Curves

Founded: 1992 Franchising since: 1995
At the age of 20, pre-med student Gary Heavin had taken over a failing fitness center in Houston, turning the business around and, within five years, opened six more centers. After 10 years and 17 centers, Heavin's business went under. Not wanting to give up, Heavin took lessons from the strengths and weaknesses of his first chain and decided to open a second. In 1992, Heavin opened Curves for Women, a women-only fitness center, in Harlingen, Texas. The company began franchising in 1995.

Address: 100 Ritchie Rd. Woodway, Texas 76712

Phone: (800)848-1096/ (254)399-9285

Franchisor has 50 employee(s); 40 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	5,659	641	2,714	0
2008	6,329	675	2,464	0
2007	7,269	711	2,474	0
2006	7,875	737	1,268	2

Where Seeking Franchisees
Nationwide
Worldwide

Exclusive territories available.

Total investment: $28,170 - $39,595
Franchise fee: $19,900 - $24,900
Ongoing royalty fee: to 6%
Term of agreement: 5 years, renewable


Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	Yes	Yes
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $75,000
Cash liquidity requirement: $50,000
Business Experience:

• Financial stability

Operations

• 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 1 week
• At franchisee's location: 4 days
• At regional meetings (full day), convention (3 days), local events (1 day)

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media
• Regional advertising

Franchise 500® rank:
#381 (2009); #185 (2008); #15 (2007); #3 (2006);

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#23 (2007); #5 (2006);

Low-Cost Franchises:
#85 (2009); #36 (2008); #4 (2007); #1 (2006);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#6 (2008); #7 (2007); #3 (2006);