Multi-Unit Fitness Franchise Owner Shares Her Tips for Success

Building a winning fitness franchise business isn’t always easy but it’s certainly possible if you follow the right formula. A successful Club Pilates and YogaSix owner gives actionable advice for franchisees

A former university professor, Beth Georges opened her first fitness franchise seven years ago. She now owns multiple Club Pilates and YogaSix locations in California under parent brand Xponential Fitness

My husband and I opened our first Club Pilates studio in Foothill Ranch (Orange County, California) seven years ago and it’s been quite a journey. We originally planned to open just one studio and for me, it was really a hobby. I wanted a business to earn some extra money while working full-time as a university professor and sharing my love of Pilates. 

In the seven years since opening that first studio, my mission and my business have both changed drastically. We now have five studios and another opening soon. We haven’t finished our expansion, either, and I’m thrilled with the success we’ve worked so hard to achieve. I’ve retired from my full-time job and now run the business full-time.

Here are my keys to success in the business of fitness franchising. 

You Don’t Need To Be an Expert in Every Area: Trust Those Around You

I mention my background and history because it puts my success in context. Success with a single studio is much different than success across half a dozen studios. The best plan for success, especially as a franchisee, is to lean in and learn from those who know more and have had more success. 

For me, that means relying on our corporate team at Xponential Fitness. I’m not a marketing expert but I have one at the corporate office. Each corporate office, whether it’s Club Pilates or Yoga Six,  has some of the best and smartest professionals in their respective fields. If I need help with the buildout of a studio, I rely on the development team at corporate. 

It sounds simple, and in a way it is. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Don’t go rogue. Follow the plan that’s working across many other studios. That’s why we invested in a franchise – because the corporate team has the playbook for success. 

Build a Community To Gain Insights 

I also turn to other business owners for advice frequently. I have a core group of owners with whom I chat frequently. Some are in the same industry and some are not. But all of them experience similar problems in their businesses. We often compare notes and call each other for help when we need it. 

Try to put ego aside and ask for help when you need it. The more we can surround ourselves with others who know more than we do, the better!

Develop a Team & Help Them Realize Their Dreams

When we had only one studio, it was easier for me to “just do it myself.” But with five, six or more locations, the owner can’t do it all. 

Hire good, coachable, personable, trustworthy people and let them run the studio. I don’t believe we as owners can sit back and watch. We need to be following up, monitoring and leading the team. But hire the best people you can and let them find success in your business structure. 

Know what is important to your staff, especially your key employees. In doing so, you help your business grow and thrive. I love to promote from within. I spend time with each key employee figuring out what they’re looking for beyond just a job. Do they want to learn to run a business? Do they want flexibility in scheduling? Figure out what dreams they have for their careers and lives and lean into those dreams. I’ve found that an employee who knows they are appreciated and celebrated will most certainly work harder. 

Define What Success Means to You

Spend some time defining what success means to you as a business owner. Is it being #1 in the company and earning every single promotion? Is it having flexibility in your schedule to travel and be away from your business on occasion? Is it creating a legacy and generational wealth that can be handed to your children or family? When you as the owner know what defines your success, then you know where to devote your energy. Also, don’t forget to take time away from your business to re-energize yourself. You’re no good to anyone if you’re sick or burned out. 

See Also

My Most Important Weekly Tasks: 

• Checking in with managers and assessing goals. If we are falling short, we strategize how to get to our goals. 
• Checking financials every other week. Look for trends in spending/revenue. Anticipate large expenses coming up. Watch cash flow and check account balances. 
• I make a point to visit each studio at least once every week or two weeks. 
• Register for networking events I want to attend. 
• Take a day off. Or two half days off. Schedule a date night with my husband.

My Important Daily Tasks: 

• Watch revenue numbers for each studio. 
• Read emails from managers on nightly reports. 
• Monitor my personal email. 
• Take a Pilates class. 
• I also spend time every day reading about leadership, business or self-growth. 

Top 5 Attributes of a Successful Fitness Franchise Owner

1. Adaptability. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. You will be challenged. You will be defeated. You will want to give up. I joke that I fire myself on a regular basis and hire myself back almost instantly. You’re going to be forced out of your comfort zone. The more you can learn to not take things personally and not get upset, the better you will adapt to the constantly changing environment known as entrepreneurship. 
2. Willingness To Learn. For me, this is one of the best parts of being a franchise owner. I love learning. Before opening my first Club Pilates, I didn’t understand business financials. I didn’t know how to read my P&Ls. I learned. I wasn’t afraid to admit that I had no business background. I didn’t have an MBA. EBITDA was an acronym that I didn’t understand. But I do now. My advice is to seek out those at the corporate team or other studio owners who can help. Ask other business owners. Take classes. One of the best things I did for my business was the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.
3. Knowledge of Your Customer. At the heart of your business is the customer. Make sure you really know what your customer wants. Watch for signs that your customer base is shifting. Provide the best customer service possible. Excellent customer service is dying across many businesses and business sectors. Train your staff to deliver the level of service you want. 
4. Tenacity. My motto is “Failure is Not an Option.” I joke with my husband that my superpower is I’m willing to work harder than just about everyone. It might take working very hard for a few years. It might require you to pivot on a moment’s notice. We survived the COVID shutdowns of 2020 by pivoting to what we could control. I also credit the corporate team and the former CEO of Xponential for providing resources and advice during a very difficult time to help us survive the shutdown. 
5. Positive Vision. I’m one of those ridiculously positive people. I always see the glass as half full. It drives my husband crazy. I believe my positive attitude has led to our growth and success in our business. I think it’s important to set a positive tone for the business. My growth goals are ambitious. We don’t always hit them but we keep going. I love to celebrate successes in the business. I love to call out employees who do a great job. The tone you set for the company trickles down to each and every employee, customer and business partner. Business is a lot more fun when we see the positive or the growth opportunity behind every bump in the road. 

Should You Buy a Fitness Franchise?

Buying a franchise does not mean everyone will be successful. Just because you have spent a certain amount of money doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be getting paid. Opening or running a franchise is hard work, just like any other business. 

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics approximately 20 percent of small businesses fail within the first year. By the end of the second year, 30 percent of businesses will have failed. By the end of the fifth year, about half will have failed. 

Work hardest the first year. Continue to work hard the second year. And never take your foot off the pedal. Because your business depends on hard work. But as you get better at being an entrepreneur, you will know what work needs to be done by you and what can get delegated to your team. 

If you’re looking at franchises that you might consider buying, my suggestion is to buy into something that fuels your passion. Yes, some people just buy to fuel their love of money. But I have found that if you’re passionate about the work you do in your business, the work is more fun. And that’s the ultimate success – making great money doing something you love!