Anytime Fitness Opens a Gym a Day in Global Expansion Blitz

BOCA RATON, FL – February 26, 2026 – In a striking display of global momentum, Anytime Fitness announced it achieved a major operational milestone in 2025, opening more than 365 new clubs worldwide—an average of over one new location every single day of the year. The achievement underscores a period of intense international growth for the 24-hour fitness giant and sets the stage for an aggressive new phase of domestic expansion under its parent company, Purpose Brands.

This rapid scaling validates the brand’s position as a dominant force in the global fitness industry, where it already serves over 5 million members across more than 5,800 locations. The relentless pace of openings solidifies its status as one of the largest and fastest-growing fitness franchises on the planet.

A Global Footprint Expands Daily

The engine behind the brand's remarkable 2025 performance was its powerful international expansion strategy. While 53 of the new clubs opened within the United States, the vast majority were launched across a diverse array of international markets. Significant growth was recorded across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with new clubs in the United Arab Emirates and forthcoming locations in Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This strategic push into the Middle East was recently validated when the brand was named “Franchise of the Year” at the Beyond Activ World conference in Riyadh.

Further expansion hotspots included India, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Austria, demonstrating the universal appeal of the brand’s convenient, 24/7 access model. According to Tom Leverton, Chief Executive Officer of parent company Purpose Brands, this success is no accident. "Achieving 365 club openings in 2025 validates our global expansion model and demonstrates the scalability of the Anytime Fitness system," Leverton stated. "This one-per-day tempo reflects years of strategic investment in master franchisee selection, operational infrastructure, and localized support systems."

The company's framework, led by Chief International Officer Sander van den Born, has created a replicable system for international partners. This allows local entrepreneurs to launch clubs that meet global brand standards while catering to their communities. Stacy Anderson, Global Brand President for Anytime Fitness, emphasized the human impact behind the numbers. "What makes this milestone meaningful isn't just the number; it's what it represents," Anderson said. "Opening more than one club per day means many entrepreneurs building businesses in their communities, millions of members finding their path to better health, and a brand that delivers consistency and quality no matter where you are in the world."

The Power of Purpose Brands' Portfolio

Anytime Fitness is the flagship brand within Purpose Brands, a formidable portfolio of health and wellness franchises that is quietly building an empire. With a stated systemwide goal of reaching 10,000 units and 10 million members by 2030, the company is leveraging a multi-brand strategy to capture a wide swath of the wellness market. The portfolio currently generates $3.9 billion in trailing twelve-month revenue from a combined 6 million members.

Beyond the ubiquitous 24/7 gyms, Purpose Brands also operates Orangetheory Fitness, a popular boutique HIIT studio concept that was named the “#1 Gym in America” by USA Today Readers’ Choice awards in 2025 and has over 1,500 locations of its own. The portfolio is further diversified with The Bar Method, a barre-based workout; Basecamp Fitness, another HIIT concept; and Waxing the City, a franchise focused on personal grooming services. This collection of distinct but complementary brands allows Purpose Brands to appeal to different consumer preferences, fitness levels, and price points, from budget-conscious gym-goers to those seeking specialized, high-end boutique experiences.

A New Architect for Domestic Growth

While international growth dominated the 2025 narrative, Purpose Brands is now making a decisive pivot to accelerate its expansion on home turf. In a key strategic move during the fourth quarter of 2025, the company appointed Patricia Perry as its new Chief Development Officer. Perry is tasked with spearheading domestic development for the entire Purpose Brands portfolio, working in tandem with the international team to meet the company's ambitious 2030 targets.

Perry brings a formidable track record in franchise scaling, with executive development roles at a diverse range of powerhouse brands including Krispy Kreme, Blink Fitness, Edible Brands, and Bagel Brands. Her appointment signals a clear intent to replicate the company's international success within the competitive U.S. market.

"We’re excited about Patricia’s leadership at a pivotal moment for our company,” Leverton commented on the appointment. “Her expertise in franchise development and passion for our brands will drive our next phase of growth and strengthen our position as a leader in the health and fitness industry." Perry's leadership is expected to bring new energy to opening domestic locations for not only Anytime Fitness but also Orangetheory and the other portfolio brands, many of which are rolling out new products and services in 2026.

Navigating a Competitive Wellness Landscape

Purpose Brands' aggressive growth strategy is unfolding within a dynamic and increasingly crowded wellness industry. The global wellness market is projected to reach an astounding $9 trillion by 2028, indicating immense opportunity, but competition is fierce. In the United States, Anytime Fitness contends with major players like Planet Fitness, which boasts over 20 million members, and Crunch Fitness, which topped Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500 list for fitness franchises.

The market also includes specialized and rapidly growing concepts like F45 Training, Hotworx's infrared sauna workouts, and the diverse portfolio of boutique brands under Xponential Fitness. In this environment, Purpose Brands' multi-brand strategy is its greatest asset. By operating across different segments—from the accessibility of Anytime Fitness to the high-energy community of Orangetheory—the company can insulate itself from shifts in consumer trends and capture market share from multiple angles.

The success of opening a club a day is more than a statistic; it is a testament to a finely tuned operational machine that is now being aimed squarely at both global and domestic targets. With proven international momentum and new strategic leadership focused on the U.S. market, Purpose Brands is positioning itself to not just participate in the wellness boom, but to become one of its primary architects.