Planet Fitness Rises to Top Franchise Ranking Amidst Expansion

Event summary

  • Planet Fitness ranked No. 16 overall in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500, securing the top position in the Fitness category.
  • As of December 31, 2025, Planet Fitness reported approximately 20.8 million members and a 6.7% increase in full-year system-wide same-club sales.
  • The company opened 181 new clubs in 2025, including 23 corporate-owned locations, bringing the system-wide total to 2,896.
  • Approximately 90% of Planet Fitness clubs are franchised, indicating a significant reliance on independent business owners.

The big picture

Planet Fitness's Franchise 500 ranking underscores the strength of its business model, which prioritizes affordability and accessibility to attract a large membership base. The company's franchise-heavy structure allows for rapid expansion with limited capital expenditure, but also introduces dependencies on external operators. The continued success of Planet Fitness hinges on maintaining a balance between brand consistency and franchisee autonomy within a competitive fitness market.

What we're watching

Franchisee Relations
The continued success of Planet Fitness is heavily reliant on the performance of its franchisees; monitoring franchisee satisfaction and retention will be crucial for sustained growth.
Competitive Landscape
While Planet Fitness dominates the budget fitness segment, increased competition from premium and boutique fitness brands could impact membership growth and pricing power.
Expansion Strategy
The balance between corporate-owned and franchised locations will influence profitability and brand control, and the pace of new club openings may be affected by real estate availability and economic conditions.