Franchises /Personal-Care Businesses /Fitness Centers

Curves

At a Glance

Products & Services: Women's fitness & weight-loss center

Number of Locations: 7,263

Total Investment: $31.83K - 39.1K

Founded: 1992

Began Franchising: 1995

About Curves

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.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S.	Canadian	International	Company Owned
2011	3,696	480	3,087	0
2010	4,680	571	2,868	0
2009	5,659	641	2,714	0

Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units worldwide.

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $31,825 - $39,100
Franchise Fee: $24,900
Ongoing Royalty Fee: to 6%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 5 years, renewable

Financial Requirements

Net Worth: $75,000
Liquid Cash Available: $50,000

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).

Financing Type	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee
Startup Costs
Equipment
Inventory
Accounts Receivable
Payroll

How This Franchise Supports Franchisees

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,