Lessons Fitness Studio Owners Can Learn from Successful Fitness Franchises
As a fitness or yoga studio owner, it can often be hard to visualize the steps you need to take to find success. But if we turn to our larger-than-life franchise businesses, we can learn a few tips and strategies that will help ensure success and profitability. Successful franchise fitness businesses rely upon several key factors: a strong brand, standardized operating procedures, cohesive schedules and solid organization. Many studio owners daydream about seeing large profit margins, or even having multi-locations but the steps to get there can seem daunting or impossible. Read on as we highlight the lessons fitness studio owners can learn from successful fitness franchises as well as the best ways to have these essentials in place before expanding (if you’re looking to do so).
1. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Successful fitness franchises establish a standard operating procedure manual for their studios. It's an essential tool for employees that outline step-by-step instructions for everything from cleaning the studio to handling difficult customers appropriately. For a single-studio location your SOPs are still important. Having clearly outlined SOPs means that anyone who comes into the studio in a particular role will understand what is being asked of them and how to manage various situations as they arise. It also gives studio owners the ability to be physically away from the studio and rest-assured knowing that standards are being maintained. Creating a standard operating manual for your studio will ensure consistent service whether you’re growing your first studio or expanding or franchising your business.
2. Maintain a Cohesive and Thoughtful Schedule
One thing large fitness franchises like SoulCycle and Barry’s excels at is scheduling. They offer schedules that cater to various customer needs, ensuring that by having multiple class styles and times throughout the week they are meeting current and prospective client requests. As a studio owner, having a cohesive class schedule that accommodates personal schedules, preferences and matches the objectives of your clients is crucial. A well-planned schedule ensures clients can schedule their workouts and will leave satisfied and motivated. Just keep in mind that your current clients may tell you their requests, but the clients that aren’t coming into your studio matter, too. Try to keep in mind all of your avatar clients as you build out your schedule.
3. Strong Brand
Large fitness franchises have a strong brand that differentiates them from the competition. They understand the importance of branding and how it reflects in their marketing, logos and design. As a studio owner, establishing your brand is essential, and it could signify the difference between a booming business and a struggling one. A powerful brand can make consumers feel more connected to your business, and it would reflect in their loyalty towards your brand. Your brand extends beyond visual elements as well. The tone of your messaging is part of your brand as well as the culture and overall vibe of your studio. Clients will choose one studio over another entirely by the feel of the space!
4. 80% of Your Essentials is entirely organization
Solid organizational skills are a key factor in the success of large fitness franchises. Organization entails every aspect of a studio business, such as maintaining equipment and bookkeeping and cost management. As a studio owner, your software, your team management and your SOPs will all allow you to either have an organized business or one that is constantly trying to move through chaos.
5. Before Franchising or Expanding
Before franchising or expanding, you must have a solid foundation of business procedures and support systems. These systems include hiring staff that shares your core values and passion, having a process for hiring, simplifying your operations and procedures by utilizing a business process management tool, and ensuring that your location is prime. And if you are truly looking to franchise, it’s key to have your branding, manuals and organizational procedures in place so that potential franchisees will know exactly what your brand abides by.
Successful fitness franchises weren't built overnight. Consistency and attention to every detail are what differentiate successful franchises from struggling ones. As a studio owner, there is much you can learn from established fitness franchises. Making sure to apply these practices will ensure your studio stands out from the crowd. And whether you want a single studio or multiple, your goal is to create an experience that is unique, defined and profitable.
Telomere Consulting provides business consulting and marketing services to studio owners in the boutique fitness and yoga space. The Telomere team helps you navigate business strategy from conception to implementation. We provide end-to-end marketing support and would love to hear from you. Click here to book your free intro call. We want you to treat your business the way you treat your body – making the right choices now to optimize its potential for a long and healthy life. Visit us here to learn more.
