In many ways, franchising is the lifeblood of the fitness and wellness industry. And with the global wellness market projected to reach $9 trillion by 2028 and investors pouring money into scaling gyms, wellness centers and boutique fitness studios, the market shows no signs of slowing down.
It should come as no surprise, then, that quite a few fitness and wellness brands made it on this year’s Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list, which ranks the top franchise brands in North America based on costs/fees, size/growth, franchisee support and brand strength.
ATN breaks down where fitness and wellness brands ranked on the 2025 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list, and highlights some key trends from this year’s rankings.
5 Fitness & Wellness Brands Crack the Top 100
Crunch Fitness (#32) took the top spot among fitness and wellness brands for a second consecutive year, cementing its place as one of the industry’s blue-chip brands. The high-value, low-price (HVLP) gym brand continues to win with franchisees and consumers alike, now at over 500 locations and 3 million members.
After Crunch, four other fitness and wellness brands cracked the top 100: The Joint Chiropractic (#54), Orangetheory Fitness (#73), Anytime Fitness (#82) and Hotworx (#95).
Orangetheory and Anytime Fitness completed a merger last year, creating one of the industry’s biggest combined entities in Self Esteem Brands.
Hotworx, meanwhile, has grown to over 700 locations since Stephen P. Smith founded the concept in 2017. The brand, which allows people to work out inside a 125-degree infrared sauna with virtual fitness instructors, has found success with franchisees from diverse business and personal backgrounds.
Big-Name Gym & Studio Brands Show Out
Crunch, Orangetheory and Anytime Fitness aren’t the only big-name fitness brands to show up on this year’s Franchise 500 list.
Gold’s Gym (#160), F45 Training (#232), D1 Training (#390), Burn Boot Camp (#427) and Bodybar Pilates (#470) were all rewarded with spots.
Xponential Fitness-owned brands also made their mark on this year’s list, with Club Pilates (#133), StretchLab (#228), Pure Barre (#375), Body Fit Training (BFT) (#482), Rumble Boxing (#492) and YogaSix (#496) all earning recognition.
Not to be forgotten, Jazzercise (#392) also made this year’s list, proving that the classic dance fitness brand founded in 1969 still appeals to modern-day consumers.
From Massage to Chiropractic, Wellness Classics Gain Ground
While much attention is given to the emergence of new-age wellness, recovery and longevity centers, and for good reason – brands like Restore Hyper Wellness (#144), VIO Med Spa (#242), Gameday Men’s Health (#357) and 4Ever Young (#396) cracked this year’s list – tried-and-true wellness modalities are enjoying something of a resurgence.
Four massage brands, two assisted stretching brands and two chiropractic brands found their way onto this year’s Franchise 500.
Brands like The Joint Chiropractic, 100% Chiropractic (#170), StretchLab, Massage Envy (#265), Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, (#297), The Now Massage (#306) and Stretch Zone (#485) are proving that classic concepts have staying power, even in the age of botox and GLP-1s.
StretchLab opened its 500th studio late last year as the Xponential-owned brand continues to experience incredible growth since 2018, when it counted just three locations.
100% Chiropractic, a brand founded by husband-and-wife duo Dr. Vanessa and Dr. Jason Helfrich, is doing its part to bring chiropractic offices into the 2020s by pairing back adjustments with health and longevity services. The brand currently operates over 120 locations, with offices in states stretching from New Jersey to California.
Every fitness & wellness brand on this year’s Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list:
For more insights into the dynamic business of franchising, download ATN’s Fitness & Wellness Franchise Outlook Report 2024.
