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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Gold’s Gym Franchise

Gold’s Gym is one of the most recognized fitness brands in the world, founded in 1965 by Joe Gold in Venice Beach, California. Originally a gathering place for serious bodybuilders and strength athletes, the gym attracted legendary figures from the sport and became known as the mecca of bodybuilding. The brand began franchising in 1980 and now operates more than 500 locations across 30 countries.

The modern Gold’s Gym positions itself as a full-service fitness facility serving members across the fitness spectrum. US locations typically range from 20,000 to 35,000 square feet, with the ideal footprint around 25,000 square feet, and include strength and free-weight zones, cardio equipment, group exercise rooms, and an optional small-group training studio. The brand serves over two million members worldwide.

Gold’s Gym is owned by RSG Group, a Germany-based fitness operator that also runs the McFit brand across Europe. RSG Group acquired Gold’s Gym in 2020 following the brand’s Chapter 11 reorganization, placing the franchise under international ownership with significant global fitness infrastructure.

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Why buy a Gold’s Gym Franchise?

To buy a Gold’s Gym franchise is to invest in one of the most established names in global fitness, backed by over six decades of brand equity and a membership model built on recurring revenue. The brand’s full-service positioning, with facilities offering extensive free-weight areas, cardio equipment, and group exercise rooms, supports higher average revenue per location than smaller boutique competitors.

RSG Group ownership provides Gold’s Gym franchisees with access to a preferred vendor program, global purchasing infrastructure, and ongoing franchise field support. Each franchisee is assigned a dedicated franchise business consultant and receives digital and in-person training alongside an online marketing asset library to support member acquisition and retention.

Gold’s Gym Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1965

    • Franchising Since

      1980

    • New Startup Cost

      $2,356,000 – $5,162,000

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $40,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $2,500

      $10,000 for control transfers

    • Royalty Fee

      5%

      of Gross Revenue or $2,000/mo min

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Revenue or $1,350/mo min

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      182

    • New Units Opened *

      4

    • Units Transferred *

      2

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $1,797,000

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Gold’s Gym – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Gold's Gym provides franchisees with digital and in-person training covering initial onboarding and ongoing operations. Training documented in the FDD includes 20 hours of classroom instruction and 12 hours of on-the-job training. Franchisees receive access to an online marketing asset library, media planning tools, and a preferred vendor program. A dedicated franchise business consultant provides ongoing field support. Resale buyers should confirm with Gold's Gym what transfer training and system access are available to incoming owners when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Gold's Gym franchisee is comfortable managing a large staff in a membership-driven, facility-based business. Experience in fitness is not required; backgrounds in business management, sales, or hospitality translate well. Day-to-day success depends on membership sales, staff performance management, facility oversight, and local community engagement. Owners should be comfortable with significant fixed overhead and capable of building a local member base through marketing and programming. Active operational involvement is typical, though a strong management team can support a more semi-absentee approach.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Gold's Gym ranked #49 on Entrepreneur's 2025 Franchise 500 and #128 on Entrepreneur's 2025 Top Global Franchises list. Franchise Business Review named Gold's Gym one of its Top 200 Franchises of 2026. The brand holds a singular place in fitness cultural history as the original Mecca of Bodybuilding, recognized by ESPN as a national sports landmark. As part of RSG Group, Gold's Gym carries the international credibility of one of Europe's largest fitness operators alongside a US brand heritage spanning six decades.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US gym and health club market generates approximately $47 billion in annual revenue, according to IBISWorld, with nearly 77 million Americans holding gym or fitness memberships. Demand is driven by sustained health awareness, an aging population, and strong post-pandemic membership recovery. The category is competitive across large-format gyms, boutique studios, and low-cost chains. Full-service facilities compete on equipment depth, programming, and brand recognition. For resale buyers, local market saturation and proximity to competing formats are key factors in evaluating a unit's revenue potential.

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