Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Retro Fitness Franchise

Retro Fitness is a high-value, low-price (HVLP) gym franchise founded in 2004 in New Jersey and franchising since the mid-2000s. The brand runs affordable, full-service health clubs built around recurring monthly memberships, with a community-focused, hospitality-driven atmosphere and a nostalgic retro theme aimed at mainstream, budget-conscious members rather than the premium boutique segment.

Beyond membership dues, clubs operate several profit centers, including a proprietary personal-training program, a smoothie bar, and an in-club Pro Shop selling fitness gear. The model is built to be low-labor and manager-run, with many owners overseeing operations through hospitality-style management agreements rather than working the floor day to day.

Retro Fitness has more than 200 locations open or in development across nine states and is one of the larger brands in the HVLP category. Under CEO Andrew Alfano, a former Starbucks executive who took over in 2019, the company restructured leadership, modernized its clubs, and centralized support. Opportunities are offered as single-unit, multi-unit, and territory development with exclusive territories.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Retro Fitness resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Retro Fitness Franchise?

Retro Fitness offers entry into the resilient, high-demand fitness category through a recognizable HVLP brand with national ambitions. The membership-led model generates recurring monthly revenue, while personal training, the smoothie bar, and Pro Shop retail add multiple profit centers that diversify income beyond dues. Its low-labor, manager-run structure can appeal to investors who want to own a fitness business without running it hands-on every day.

Choosing to buy a Retro Fitness franchise also means inheriting a centralized support system rebuilt under recent leadership, including an in-house marketing agency (Join Now Media), a call center, accounting services, and a dedicated personal-training department. Exclusive territories protect each owner’s market.

Retro Fitness Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      2004

    • Franchising Since

      2006

    • New Startup Cost

      $2,037,316 – $3,241,991

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $29,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $1,000 – $15,000

    • Royalty Fee

      5–7%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Revenues; or $400/mo min

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      82

    • New Units Opened *

      5

    • Units Transferred *

      3

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $1,185,808

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Retro Fitness – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Onboarding includes 40 hours of classroom training (branded "field days") and 80 hours of on-the-job training for owners and staff. Ongoing support is centralized at the home office and covers operations, member engagement, and marketing through the in-house agency Join Now Media, alongside an in-house call center, accounting services, and a dedicated personal-training department, plus access to proprietary management tools. Buyers of an existing club should confirm what transfer training and system access the franchisor provides to incoming owners and staff.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Retro Fitness suits investor-operators rather than hands-on trainers. The low-labor, manager-run model rewards owners with business and people-management acumen who can oversee a club manager, control costs, and drive membership and personal-training sales. Prior fitness experience is not required given the training provided, but comfort with recurring-revenue retail operations, local marketing, and community engagement matters. Multi-unit and territory developers with the capital and appetite to scale several clubs fit the model especially well.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Retro Fitness has appeared in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and is widely cited as one of the largest brands in the high-value, low-price gym category. Its profile was strengthened by a leadership turnaround under former Starbucks executive Andrew Alfano and by institutional backing, including the Project LIFT community-fitness initiative run with the BlackRock Impact Opportunities Fund. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific club's local reputation, online reviews, and member loyalty, which more directly affect a single location's value.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US fitness and health-club industry generates roughly $35 billion a year and has proved resilient, recovering strongly after pandemic closures as consumers prioritize health and affordable wellness. The high-value, low-price segment is among the fastest-growing, drawing budget-conscious members who want full-service gyms at accessible price points. Demand is supported by rising health awareness and the convenience of recurring monthly memberships. For resale buyers, local factors such as population density, competition from other HVLP chains, and membership penetration in the territory drive an individual club's performance.

Learn more about
how to own a Retro Fitness franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.