Xponential Fitness partners with experienced master franchisees to drive international growth.
SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 29, 2024 / Xponential Fitness, a global franchisor of boutique health and wellness brands, continues to expand internationally. The company recently announced plans to bring three of its popular fitness concepts – Pure Barre, Club Pilates and Rumble Boxing – to Mexico and Japan, respectively. These moves are important milestones for both brands and underscore Xponential’s strategy to support established franchisees who have already launched multiple locations.
Pure Barre, the largest barre fitness brand, plans to open its first store in Mexico City in the first quarter of 2025. The expansion marks Pure Barre’s second entry into the international market, following a debut in Japan scheduled for later this year.
Bob Kaufman, President of International at Xponential Fitness, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s global push across multiple brands. “Mexico is a major emerging market for boutique fitness, and we believe Pure Barre’s pioneering Barre Method and industry-leading services have a bright future,” he said in a statement.
Following a master franchise agreement with Riser Fitness, Club Pilates will expand into Mexico through at least 65 studios that the group has committed to opening over the next 10 years. Commenting on the expansion of Club Pilates, Kaufman said, “The Riser Fitness team is a best-in-class operator of Club Pilates in the U.S., and we look forward to working with them to bring our beloved Pilates experience to consumers in Mexico. I’m excited to introduce them.” ” Kaufman said.
Meanwhile, Rumble Boxing, known for its boxing-inspired group fitness classes, has just opened its first studio in Japan. This expansion into Asia is an important step for the brand, which already has an established presence in the United States as well as Australia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Kuwait.
Commenting on Rumble Boxing’s expansion, Kaufman said, “We are very excited that Wellness “It shows our dedication to the fitness market.”
master franchisee model
Xponential Fitness’ international growth strategy relies heavily on partnering with experienced master franchisees in each new market. These partners bring local knowledge, business acumen, and a proven track record of success in growing brands, franchises, and the fitness industry.
In Mexico, Pure Barre’s expansion is being driven by Enrique López’s boutique X fitness studio S de RL de CV. Mr. López, who serves as General Director, has an extensive background in the fitness industry, having previously worked at Les Mills Mexico and Kinesis Mexico. His team is already working with Xponential to develop other brands in Mexico, including StretchLab and Rumble.
Lopez expressed his excitement to bring Pure Barre to Mexico. “Pure Barre is one of the most popular boutique fitness concepts in the United States, and we can’t wait to bring this great leading brand and workout to Mexico and continue diversifying our high-end brand portfolio.” he said.
In Japan, Wellness X Asia, led by Naoki Shimabukuro, is leading the launch of Rumble Boxing. Mr. Shimabukuro and his team have a proven track record with the Xponential brand and successfully introduced Club Pilates to the Japanese market in 2019. Since then, they have opened 55 Club Pilates studios across Japan and launched their first CycleBar studio in early 2023.
“Expanding Rumble Boxing to Japan represents a thrilling new chapter for both our company and the Japanese fitness world,” said Shimabukuro. “Success with other Xponential brands has paved the way for Rumble Boxing to make a powerful impact. We are committed to delivering the high-energy, community-driven training that has made Rumble Boxing a global sensation. I am working hard on this.”
Xponential Fitness’ Approach to Franchise Selection
Xponential Fitness has developed a rigorous process for selecting franchisees, including international markets. The company is looking for partners with the financial ability to invest in and grow the brand, a deep understanding of the local business and fitness landscape, and a passion for health and wellness. The company focuses on building local insights and relationships when developing its fitness community.
The franchisee selection process typically begins with thorough research and an initial conversation with the Xponential team. Potential franchisees must complete a confidential questionnaire to determine brand fit. This is followed by a series of discussions with our international development team to gain deeper insight into their business model and values.
Ongoing support and multi-brand strategy
Support for Xponential franchisees extends beyond the initial launch phase. The company offers an integrated sales platform with comprehensive and continuous sales training. Regular monthly phone calls and expert guidance continue from pre-sale to grand opening and beyond, helping franchisees build and maintain thriving businesses.
Beth Georges, a multi-unit, multi-brand franchisee who owns multiple Club Pilates and YogaSix studios in California, emphasized the importance of leveraging Xponential’s expertise.
“The best plan for success, especially as a franchisee, is to rely on and learn from those who know more and are more successful,” she said.
Georges continued to point out the benefits of having access to marketing experts and development teams at the corporate level, saying franchisees can focus more on running the studio.
Xponential’s multi-brand strategy also provides unique opportunities for franchisees. Many partners, such as teams in Mexico and Japan, choose to operate multiple Xponential brands within their markets. This approach allows us to cater to a variety of fitness preferences and take advantage of Xponential’s diverse portfolio.
But while Xponential Fitness offers strong support and a proven business model, franchisees stress that success is not guaranteed. Georges says, “Not everyone will be successful when they buy a franchise. Just because you spend a certain amount of money doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get paid. Opening and running a franchise is work. It’s a lot of work, just like any other franchise.
She advises potential franchisees to “be comfortable being uncomfortable. You’re going to be challenged. You’re going to be defeated. You’re going to want to give up. Don’t take things personally and be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” The more you learn not to, the better you will be at adapting to the ever-changing environment known as entrepreneurship. ”
Company Profile
Company Name: Xponential Fitness
Email address: (email protected)
Company Address: 17877 Von Karman Ave, Suite 100, Irvine, CA
Website: https://www.xponential.com/
Source: Xpotential Fitness
