Planet Fitness franchise
Planet Fitness is a low-cost gym chain with large clubs full of cardio and strength equipment, low monthly memberships and its "Judgement Free Zone" positioning. Clubs are big, high-volume operations, so franchisees usually open several in a territory. At the end of 2025 there were 2,709 Planet Fitness locations in the US, 2,432 franchised and 277 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $1.28M–$5.39M
- Franchise fee
- $40,000
- Royalty
- 7%
- Locations, 2025
- 2,709+350 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchisor based in
- Hampton, New Hampshire
- Time to open
- Must open within 360 days of signing (480 for a new build)
- Agreement length
- 12 years
- Territory
- No exclusive territory
- Financing
- None offered
From Planet Fitness Franchising LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Planet Fitness franchise costs
Opening a single Planet Fitness club, excluding real estate costs an estimated $1,282,500 to $5,386,000. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Planet Fitness Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 31
Planet Fitness franchise fee
The franchise fee is $40,000, per club, plus a $10,000 area development fee per club under a development agreement. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Planet Fitness Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 18
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 7% of monthly and annual membership fees, plus 20% of each new member's join fee, paid monthly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 2% of gross sales |
Source: Planet Fitness Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 19
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Planet Fitness publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports 2025 membership (EFT) revenue for clubs open all year, split into thirds. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Planet Fitness Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 83
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,201 (+119) | 254 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2,298 (+97) | 270 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2,432 (+134) | 277 | 7 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Planet Fitness Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 91
How Planet Fitness compares
Of the 5 gym franchises on this site, Planet Fitness is the 4th cheapest to open and the largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Planet Fitness | Typical gym |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $1.28M | $555K |
| Royalty | 7% | 6% |
| Closed or left per year | 0.2% | 3% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +16.8% | −2% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 4 of 5 |
Typical is the median across the 5 brands in gym franchises.
Other gym franchises
Planet Fitness franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Planet Fitness?
Must open within 360 days of signing (480 for a new build), according to Planet Fitness's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Planet Fitness help with financing?
No. Planet Fitness does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
Do Planet Fitness franchisees get a protected territory?
No. Planet Fitness grants the right to run one location but no exclusive area, so another Planet Fitness can open nearby.
How long is a Planet Fitness franchise agreement?
The initial term is 12 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Planet Fitness growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 364 franchised locations opened and 14 closed or left, a net change of +16.8%. About 0.2% of locations closed or left each year. That is below the 3% typical for gym franchises.
How does Planet Fitness compare with other gym franchises?
Of the 5 gym franchises here, Planet Fitness is the 4th cheapest to open (low end $1.28M against a $555K median) and the largest by number of locations. Its 7% royalty is above the 6% median.
Does Planet Fitness say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports 2025 membership (EFT) revenue for clubs open all year, split into thirds. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Planet Fitness based?
Planet Fitness Franchising LLC is based in Hampton, New Hampshire.