Gym

Healthy ROI . High Value/Low Price . Community Inclusive

The Gym Concept with Monetary Muscle

Retro Fitness franchisees are provided with the tools, support and resources to help ensure success, even during uncertain times.
From owner/operators to area developers, we have a turnkey suite of services to handle all aspects of opening clubs.
Click below to contact our Franchise Development department and get your hands on the roadmap to get started. 

GET STARTED

WHAT TYPE OF INVESTOR
ARE YOU?

OWNER/ OPERATOR

  • Take your first step into business ownership… with the help of a strong franchise partner. 
  • Retro provides a turn-key suite of support services to assist your every step including real estate site selection, construction oversight, operational guidance and local marketing. 
  • With favorable financing and real estate options existing today, this is the ideal time to start a business that gives back to you community by providing a gathering place to improve people’s health and lives. 

MULTI-UNIT

  • Looking for your next franchise opportunity?  Retro Fitness allows owners to diversity their portfolio with a membership model that is recession resilient and doesn’t fluctuate due to cost of goods or high labor costs. 
  • The “High Value, Low Price” space is booming with consumers looking to get more value from their fitness experience and pay less than expensive boutiques and big box clubs. 
  • We are engaged in a rapid growth model attracting institutional investors to grow out emerging and infill markets.

AREA DEVELOPER

  • Our new executive leadership team has years of experience working with Private Equity funds to fuel expansion and high multiple returns on investment putting us in the position to be the next big brand in fitness. 
  • Our exciting growth vision features multiple entry points for the model including white space opportunities, infill in existing markets, resales and funding of strong franchisees.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Executive
Team

BECOMING A

RETRO FITNESS
FRANCHISEE STARTS HERE
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FINANCIAL
INVESTMENT

NET-WORTH

$2M 

LIQUID CAPITAL

$500K

TOTAL START-UP COST

$1.5M – $1.7M

FRANCHISEE FEE

$29K

ROYALTY FEE

5%

MARKETING BRAND/FUND

2%

THE FRANCHISE  
JOURNEY

Become a part of Retro Fitness Journey to growth and success.
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why retro  
is a strong  
Investment 
for every
Portfolio

Retro Fitness is a hometown gym dedicated to building a strong community within the four walls of the club, while being a fabric of the community outside.  All this is done while providing exceptional return on investment for our owners. Our fitness concept has been recognized as one of the nation’s top franchise opportunities by numerous publications, earning write-ups in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal.

For consumers, Retro Fitness is an attractive fitness destination because of its inclusive community, state-of-the-art equipment, group fitness classes and personal training, and amenities like massage chairs and tanning. It is a one-stop shop for anyone looking to improve their health in a nurturing environment.

For franchisees, Retro Fitness provides an opportunity to make their community healthier and happier while also generating a significant return on investment. Thanks to memberships that start at $19.99 per month, owners enjoy recurring revenue. Personalized training, the Retro Blends Smoothie Bar, and merchandise sales create additional revenue streams.

Franchisees fall into two categories — owner-operators who spend a lot of time in their gyms, and investors who hire general managers to handle day-to-day operations. Regardless of which category they fall into, top-performing clubs provide great experiences that deliver great revenue.

FINANCIAL
PERFORMANCE
HIGHLIGHTS

$2.2M

AVERAGE GROSS SALES PER UNIT FOR THE TOP 10% OF RETRO FITNESS CLUBS. THE TOP 50% OF CLUBS AVERAGE $1.4M.

$443K

AVERAGE EBITDA REPORTED BY TOP 10% OF RETRO FITNESS FRANCHISE OWNERS. THE TOP 50% OF OWNERS REPORT EBITDA OF $257,000.

5,892

AVERAGE NUMBER OF MEMBERS FOR THE TOP 10% OF RETRO FITNESS CLUBS. THE TOP 50% OF CLUBS AVERAGE over 3,700.

$142

AVERAGE REVENUE PER SQUARE FOOT FOR THE TOP 10% OF RETRO FITNESS CLUBS. THE TOP 50% OF CLUBS AVERAGED $95.

The above numbers are from Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document and cover results from 2019. Read Item 19 in its entirety for important defined terms, assumptions, and qualifiers relating to these figures. Franchise offering made by prospectus only, view our Franchise Disclosure Document for details.

OUR SIMPLE 
PROCESS

Retro Fitness was at the forefront of the high value/low price (HVLP) movement and remains an industry leader today, which is why our process can be completed as quickly as your schedule will allow.

Once the agreement is executed, our team of seasoned experts can help you find an ideal location, negotiate the lease, build and equip the center, then hand you the keys.

ONE-ON-ONE MEETING

COMPLETE OUR APPLICATION

REVIEW THE FDD

MEET THE TEAM

EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT

DEDICATED
SUPPORT SERVICES

  • Comprehensive assistance in site selection
  • Prototypical design and conceptual layout
  • Virtual and in-person training for franchisees and key managers
  • Initial management training and ongoing business consultation
  • Pre-sale support on how to best recruit and acquire members prior to grand opening
  • Access to corporate management team for business review and performance analysis
  • Regular consultation visits
  • Dedicated marketing staff ready to assist with marketing and social media planning
  • Vendor partnerships and negotiated pricing assistance with major brands like Life Fitness®

ONE OF A KIND
EXPERIENCE

Retro Fitness gyms provide a unique combination of an affordable, $19.99 per month membership with state-of-the-art fitness facilities that feature tons of cardio equipment with personal LCD television screens, three different types of circuit training equipment, Retro Blends Smoothie Bar, child sitting, tanning, hydromassage recovery lounges and pro shop. Add in personal and multiple group training options and Retro Fitness is way more than just your average gym, offering a one-stop shop fitting any fitness enthusiast’s budget.

RETRO FITNESS IN THE NEWS

Retro Fitness has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top franchises by numerous publications. This is the primary reason why our franchise opportunity has been talked about in Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal along with being featured on MTV, CNN, Fox News and the hit CBS reality series Undercover Boss. See below for the latest news about Retro Fitness.

Fitness Services: Where the Industry is Headed (Club Solutions)

Oct 14, 2020

For Retro Fitness — a chain of 150 gym locations across the US — wading into virtual programming during the pandemic ultimately helped to accelerate the company’s pre-pandemic push towards becoming a “lifestyle brand,” according to Chief Marketing Officer Victor Bao.

The Boutique Fitness Experience as We Know it is Dead (USA Latest News)

Oct 5, 2020

Gyms offering low-cost membership have grown in number, since they’re now tapping into a market with less disposable income, according to Todd Scartozzi, chief operating officer of Retro Fitness, which has seen a 200% increase in its franchisees in the past 5 months.

See more articles

FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

When was Retro Fitness founded?

Retro Fitness was founded in 2005 and began franchising in 2006.

How many locations does Retro Fitness have?

Retro Fitness currently has more than 140 franchise locations either open or in development.

What territories are available?

There are potential territories available in all 50 states.

How many Retro Fitness franchisees own multiple locations?

More than 55% of existing Retro Fitness franchisees own or have committed to own more than one location.

Do you have an earnings claim?

Yes, it is included in our Business Model eBook,  which you can download here.

What build out options exist for a Retro Fitness location?

The model is highly transferable to various venues to include inline and free-standing buildings in retail, residential and industrial areas.

How much does it cost to open a Retro Fitness franchise?
  • Net worth: $2M
  • Liquid capital: $500,000
  • Total startup costs: $1.5M – $1.7M
  • Franchise fee: $29K
  • Royalty fee: 5%
  • Marketing/Brand Fund: 2%
What is the estimated initial cash or liquid assets I will need to have?

You will need minimum liquid assets of $500k and a net worth of $2MM either individually or cumulatively amongst a group of investors to obtain necessary bank financing.

Does Retro Fitness assist in the design and equipping of my gym?

Yes, Retro Fitness has a “Design Standards Manual” sample floor plan designs and architectural resources to assist in keeping the consistency of the Retro Fitness brand the same throughout the franchise system. In addition, Retro Fitness has a standard equipment package from the industry’s leading manufacturers with substantial discounts to ensure the member experience is similar across all Retro clubs.

Do you offer training?

Yes, we provide training for opening and ongoing operation of your Retro Fitness club. It begins with eight days of training at our corporate headquarters, followed by another eight days of training at your location. Then we stay connected through regular training of your management and staff.

What is the availability of a Retro Fitness location in my area?

Retro Fitness locations are available in all 50 states. The availability of territories will be discussed in full detail prior to signing a franchise agreement.

What are the size requirements for a Retro Fitness?

A typical Retro Fitness outlet is approximately 15,000 to 17,000 square feet and is determined based upon site availability in your preferred market.

Do I need to have prior experience in the gym or fitness industry?

No. In fact, many of our franchisees come from diverse industries and backgrounds with little to no previous industry experience. We will help you hire and train a qualified, knowledgeable team of fitness professionals to best manage club operations.

What are the ongoing royalty fees a franchisee must pay?

5% royalty from the franchised outlet’s total gross revenue.

How much money can I make?

Profitability will vary considerably depending upon such factors as: location, operating costs, financing terms, your ability to manage and control the business, sales and other factors. We do not predict sales or profits for any new locations. We encourage you to discuss this with existing franchisees and your personal advisors.

Will Retro help with the financing process for opening a franchise?

Yes, our dedicated financial broker will work with you in reviewing your finances to determine the best products and services available for financing your Retro Fitness franchise through a network of lenders.

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About Retro Fitness Franchise Opportunities

Qualifications: You and your business partners will need $500,000 in liquid capital and $2 million in combined net worth to qualify for a Retro Fitness franchise. To get started, fill out this form.

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ANDREW ALFANO

Chief Executive Officer

Retro Fitness is led by Andrew Alfano, a former Senior Vice President for Starbucks who joined Retro after serving as President and COO of an early education franchise company. Prior to that, Andrew enjoyed an impressive 16-year career with Starbucks Coffee. Having joined in the late 90’s, he helped grow the brand while working his way up to Senior Vice President, U.S. Business. Andrew was one of the key leaders that helped architect the company’s strategic growth in some of the higher profile, complex urban markets, specifically Starbucks flagship market of New York.  He was ultimately accountable for over $3.5B in revenue across both company operated and licensed stores.

He then joined his most recent company in 2015, when they were of similar size as Retro Fitness.  He leveraged existing strengths of the brand to fuel growth, reorganized and matured the business.  A few short years later, the brand now boasts of over 400 units open or in development in both the United States and Europe.

“I love to build brands. Retro Fitness has all the characteristics I love — a compelling value proposition, a strong franchisee base and a brand following with consumers ripe for growth and expansion,” says Alfano. “By offering members everything they love about a big-box gym and bundling it with personalized group classes, niche workout experiences and personal training, Retro Fitness has great potential for its next phase of growth.”

TODD SCARTOZZI

Chief Operating Officer

Todd Scartozzi joined Retro Fitness in 2019 and brings vast executive leadership experience in the gym industry.  He oversaw the growth of one of Planet Fitness’ largest multi-unit operations, helping private equity group Exaltare Capital grow their portfolio from 10 gyms to 161 locations.

He also served as COO of Gold’s Gym International, where he directed sales, marketing, fitness, real estate and construction, IT, a call center, and capital improvement programs. His tenure there saw growth in customer retention, same-store sales, and EBITDA.

In addition to his fitness industry experience, he has also served as a leader in the hospitality field, overseeing a private equity firm’s investment in Chase Suites Hotels, and acting as Senior Vice President of Operations at Omni Hotel Corporation.

He joined Retro Fitness because, “Andrew is a proven executive who has built great companies, and Retro Fitness has a huge amount of white space in which it can grow.”

VICTOR BAO

Chief Marketing Officer

Victor has a broad range of marketing, brand, PR and innovation experience, both domestic and internationally, most recently serving as Chief Marketing Officer of Global Shopper. Victor worked closely with the franchisees and led and developed digital and mobile applications that supported all B2C and B2B efforts for the company.

Victor started his career with UPS as the International Marketing Manager, and later was the architect of loyalty programs for the automotive industry at Maritz.

He worked in London, Paris and Madrid returning to Miami after 11 years abroad.

Upon his return to the U.S., Victor led the marketing function at Club Med where he played a critical role during that brand’s transformation. He led the marketing charge for over 70 franchised InterContinental Hotels, and was Head of Marketing at Yamaha Motor Company for its distributors and across multi-brand retail stores. Victor was also Head of Marketing and Digital Marketing at Louis Vuitton Moet-Hennessey (LVMH) in a new ecommerce and technology endeavor, the first of its kind for that brand.

ROBBIE SPRECHMAN

Chief Financial Officer

Robbie Sprechman has been CFO for Retro Fitness since 2008 and has helped oversee the growth of the brand while crafting win-win solutions to drive revenue growth and EBITDA.

“The fitness industry is a great industry. It’s outpacing the S&P. It’s one of the best industries to be in right now. And it’s Amazon proof.” Describing how the management team prioritizes efforts, he said, “We care insanely about increasing franchisees’ profitability and revenue streams and we care about increasing their engagement. Everything we do goes through those filters. If we are talking to a new company, talking to a new vendor, coming up with a new process, if it doesn’t meet any of those three goals, we don’t do it.”

Before joining Retro Fitness, he spent 22 years as CFO/COO for Noamex Inc., an international clothing wholesaler. He has served as CFO for a diverse set of companies: HFS Realty Associates, where he oversaw four commercial properties in New York City; Dynamic Changes Hypnosis Centers, which assisted clients with weight loss and smoking cessation; The Antique Boutique, a New York City vintage store that attracted a celebrity clientele; and Let’s Yo frozen yogurt.