Full breakdown of startup costs, royalty fees, and what it really costs to open a Planet Fitness.
Planet Fitness is the largest fitness franchise in the US by member count, with over 2,400 locations serving 18 million+ members. Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness pioneered the 'Judgement Free Zone' positioning and low-cost membership model ($10-$25/month) that democratized gym access for casual fitness consumers. The brand went public in 2015 and has been one of the top-performing fitness IPOs in history.
Planet Fitness franchisees benefit from the brand's unmatched value positioning and massive member base. The recurring revenue model (monthly membership fees) creates more predictable cash flow than transaction-based businesses. However, the high combined royalty + marketing fees (16% total) are the highest in this guide, though offset by the scale of the member base and AUVs that typically exceed $1.5 million annually.