Gold's Gym Franchising LLC

Founded: 1965 Franchising since: 1980
Bodybuilders training outside on Muscle Beach were the first customers for the original Gold's Gym when it opened in Venice, California, in 1965. With its intense, no-frills atmosphere, the gym soon became known as the "Mecca of Bodybuilding." Arnold Schwarznegger's movie "Pumping Iron" focused on Gold's Gym, propelling it into the spotlight in 1975.

Gold's Gym has been franchising since 1980, and franchises account for more than 90 percent of its locations. In addition to running the health club facilities, franchisees sell Gold's Gym licensed apparel through their Pro Shops.

125 E. John Carpenter Fwy., #1300 Irving, Texas 75062

Phone: (800)457-5375/ (214)574-4653

Franchisor has 100 employee(s); 16 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	466	24	163	61
2008	465	14	131	61
2007	467	10	106	53
2006	626	10	94	48
2005	580	11	88	38

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Worldwide

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies

Total investment: $961.5K-3.6M Franchise fee: $25K

Ongoing royalty fee: 3% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

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

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $800K
Cash liquidity requirement: $300K
Business Experience:

• Industry experience
• General business experience
• Management experience, sales experience, interest in fitness, community involvement

Operations

• 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 1 week
• Advanced training & staffing training : 1 week

Ongoing Support

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

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Regional advertising

Other marketing support

• Marketing campaign & vendor program

Franchise 500® rank:
#112 (2009); #183 (2008); #63 (2007); #76 (2006); #144 (2005);

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#89 (2007);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#88 (2009); #56 (2007); #64 (2006); #99 (2005);