How much does a Fitness Together franchise cost?
A new U.S. Fitness Together Studio requires an estimated initial investment of $259,283 to $574,159 under the April 1, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. A three-Studio Area Development Agreement has a separate disclosed range of $294,283 to $609,159 to acquire the three-unit development rights and open the first Studio; it does not include the cost of opening Studios two and three.
One new Fitness Together Studio. The 2026 FDD Item 7 range includes the $40,000 Initial Franchise Fee, premises and equipment costs, a $15,000 Grand Opening Spend Requirement, and $50,000 to $75,000 of Additional Funds for the first nine months. It excludes several exception-triggered fees, financing charges, taxes, shipping, the owner’s draw or salary, and—when the owner is not the manager—the manager’s salary.
Data basis: Fitness Together Franchise, LLC; U.S. FDD issued April 1, 2026; Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 17; principally FDD pages 5–22, 27–37, and 49–55. Formats reviewed: one new Studio and an Area Development Agreement for two or more Studios. Information checked July 20, 2026. No matching 2026 FDD was located on an official franchise-controlled public domain, so FDD citations in this article are plain-text Item/page references. The official franchise investment page was still displaying 2025 figures when checked; the newer 2026 FDD controls the figures below.
Capital snapshot
Sources: 2026 FDD cover; Item 5 pp. 5–8; Item 6 pp. 8–17; Item 7 pp. 17–22; and the current official franchise FAQ.
What is included in the $259,283 to $574,159 range?
The single-Studio range includes 16 disclosed categories. Leasehold Improvements create the widest spread, followed by Fitness Equipment and Additional Funds. The total assumes a leased Studio of approximately 1,500 to 2,600 square feet and does not include buying land or constructing a freestanding building.
Premises, build-out, and physical assets
| Item 7 expenditure | Low | High | Payment point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Property, Utility, Security, and Other Deposits | $4,500 | $11,100 | As incurred; landlord and third parties |
| Leasehold Improvements, net of landlord allowances | $84,000 | $275,000 | As arranged during design and construction |
| Cabinetry, Millwork, Furniture, and Décor | $3,500 | $10,000 | As arranged with approved suppliers |
| Fitness Equipment | $28,825 | $78,825 | Before opening; approved suppliers |
| Architect, Engineer, Drawings | $7,000 | $18,400 | As incurred with approved vendors |
| Signage and Graphics | $8,500 | $14,000 | As incurred with approved suppliers |
Systems, opening costs, and working capital
| Item 7 expenditure | Low | High | Payment point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 | $40,000 | Upon signing the Franchise Agreement |
| Initial Software Set-Up and Technology Fees | $2,096 | $2,096 | As billed before opening |
| Computer System and Other A/V Technology | $7,500 | $12,000 | After lease signing and before opening |
| Training Program and Other Training Expenses | $2,650 | $3,950 | Travel and living expenses as incurred |
| Grand Opening Spend Requirement | $15,000 | $15,000 | Within 10 days after approved lease or possession |
| Office and Business Supplies | $1,650 | $2,750 | As incurred; intended for roughly 90–120 days |
| Business Licenses and Permits | $982 | $1,208 | As required by government authorities |
| Insurance, initial 20% payment | $1,100 | $1,300 | Before opening |
| Professional Fees | $1,980 | $13,530 | As arranged with attorneys, accountants, and other professionals |
| Additional Funds, nine months | $50,000 | $75,000 | Used during the first nine months of operation |
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pp. 17–21. The 16 low values sum to $259,283 and the 16 high values sum to $574,159, matching the official total.
Largest 2026 Item 7 ranges by category
Floating bars show the disclosed low-to-high range on a common $0 to $275,000 scale. Exact amounts remain visible so narrow ranges are not lost.
Interpretation: premises condition and construction scope can move the total more than any other disclosed category. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pp. 17–21.
When does the money have to be paid?
The capital is not paid at one moment. The first major payment occurs at contract signing, premises costs follow during site development, the $15,000 opening-marketing amount is accelerated shortly after lease execution, and Additional Funds are used during the first nine months of operation.
- Before signing or paying. The FTC Franchise Rule requires delivery of the FDD at least 14 calendar days before a binding agreement or payment to the franchisor or an affiliate. See the FTC Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Franchise.
- At agreement signing. A single-Studio buyer wires the $40,000 Initial Franchise Fee. An area developer instead pays the applicable Development Fee when the Area Development Agreement is signed.
- During site control and construction. Deposits, architect and engineering work, leasehold improvements, cabinetry, fitness equipment, signage, and professional fees are paid as arranged or incurred.
- Within 10 days after an approved lease or possession. The $15,000 Grand Opening Spend Requirement is paid to Fitness Together Franchise, LLC or a designated vendor.
- Starting 60 days before opening. The $310 monthly Technology Fee begins. The Item 7 software figure also includes a $499 franchisor set-up fee and a $997 CRM start-up charge.
- Before opening and through month nine. Computer hardware, insurance, licenses, training travel, opening supplies, and remaining pre-opening costs are funded, followed by the $50,000 to $75,000 Additional Funds allowance for initial operations.
The official ownership-process page provides the franchisor’s public process overview. Contractual payment timing above comes from the 2026 FDD, Items 5 and 7, pp. 5–8 and 17–22.
Can the Initial Franchise Fee be reduced?
The standard Initial Franchise Fee is $40,000, but the 2026 FDD discloses three qualification-dependent alternatives. A qualifying veteran or active-duty service member with at least 51% ownership, or a qualifying minority owner with at least 51% ownership, may receive a 20% discount. Applied to the standard fee, that is a derived fee of $32,000. The two discounts cannot be combined with other discounts.
| Program | Disclosed fee | Payment timing and limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran or active-duty military discount | $32,000 derived | 20% reduction from $40,000; eligibility and continued availability are determined by the franchisor |
| Minority-Owned Business Discount | $32,000 derived | 20% reduction from $40,000; requires at least 51% qualifying ownership |
| Mentorship Program | $20,000 | $5,000 at Franchise Agreement signing and $15,000 when the Studio opens for full client use |
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5, pp. 6–7. The FDD also described a Development Incentive Program scheduled to end June 30, 2026. No current official extension was located as of July 20, 2026, so its reduced fees and first-year Royalty schedule are not used in this article.
How does a multi-unit commitment change the upfront cost?
An Area Development Agreement replaces the single-Studio Initial Franchise Fee with a Development Fee based on the number of Studios committed. The 2026 FDD gives a three-Studio example: a $75,000 Development Fee plus the cost to open the first Studio, producing an official total range of $294,283 to $609,159. The costs to open the second and third Studios are not included.
$75,000
Development Fee at signing for three Studios
$219,283–$534,159
First-Studio investment implied by the single-Studio table after removing the $40,000 Initial Franchise Fee
$294,283–$609,159
Official Area Development total for rights to three Studios and opening the first Studio
Derived reconciliation: $259,283–$574,159 minus $40,000, then plus $75,000. The Area Development table prints $219,823 as the low first-Studio line, but that number does not reconcile; the cover and official total both use $294,283. This panel preserves the official total and identifies the apparent $540 typographical inconsistency. Source: 2026 FDD cover and Item 7, pp. 21–22.
| Area Development commitment | Development Fee formula | Payment timing |
|---|---|---|
| Two Studios | $80,000 total | At Area Development Agreement signing |
| Three to five Studios | $25,000 per Studio | At signing; typical disclosed total $75,000–$125,000 |
| Six to nine Studios | $20,000 per Studio | At signing |
| Ten or more Studios | $15,000 per Studio | At signing |
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5, pp. 5–6, and Item 7, pp. 21–22. Each later Studio requires a separate then-current Franchise Agreement and its own development, opening, and initial operating capital.
Which fees continue after the Studio opens?
The standard recurring percentage obligations are a 6% Royalty, a 2% Brand Marketing Fund contribution, and a separate Local Marketing Spend Requirement equal to at least 2% of Gross Receipts. The Royalty and Brand Marketing Fund payment are normally due on the fifth day of each month; local marketing is spent as incurred. The Brand Marketing Fund may increase to 4% on 30 days’ notice, and the Local Marketing Spend Requirement may also be modified.
Standard ongoing percentage obligations
Bars compare the current percentage of Gross Receipts disclosed for each obligation. They do not convert the percentages into annual dollars.
paid to franchisor
current rate
minimum
Interpretation: local marketing is separate from the Brand Marketing Fund. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pp. 8–12. The chart excludes expired or unverified first-year incentives and does not imply that the three obligations are the only operating costs.
- Gross Receipts
- Broadly includes Studio revenue and receipts from services, memberships, merchandise, gift cards, and business-interruption insurance, with limited exclusions for taxes, qualifying refunds, and tips.
- Technology Fee
- Currently $310 per month, beginning 60 days before opening and normally collected on the first day of each month.
- CRM software
- A designated supplier currently charges $329 per month, in addition to the $997 start-up fee included in Item 7.
- Extra email accounts
- The Technology Fee includes up to five users; additional accounts currently cost $14 to $27 per month per account if approved.
- Annual conference
- At least one attendee is subject to the then-current registration fee, currently $599 to $699 per person, plus travel and living expenses; payment is due before the conference.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pp. 8–14, and Item 11, pp. 34–37. The official support page describes the public-facing support structure but does not replace the fee schedule.
What event-triggered charges should be reserved for?
- Payment and default events: $250 to $2,500 Default Fee; $150 dishonored-payment fee; late interest at 1.5% per month or the highest permitted commercial rate; and collection, enforcement, arbitration, indemnification, or legal costs when triggered.
- Abandonment, default, or termination management: up to $7,500 per month for no more than six months, plus direct out-of-pocket expenses, while other Royalty and Brand Marketing Fund obligations may continue.
- Training: replacement or remedial training currently $500 per attendee plus costs; additional or special training currently $500 per day per trainer or attendee plus costs; manager training currently $500 per day per attendee; approved mentorship-studio training has no current fee but may carry costs.
- Renewal and transfer: Successor Franchise Fee equal to 25% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee; standard transfer fee equal to 50% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee, reduced to $2,500 for specified small ownership transfers; broker fees may also apply.
- Relocation and territory changes: $10,000 Relocation Fee plus relocation and client-migration costs; $1,000 Development Area Change Fee; and a possible $1,000 Search Territory Change Fee before opening.
- Supplier and design exceptions: $2,500 Architect Exception Request Fee; $1,500 Signage Exception Request Fee; $250 for each additional site feasibility after the included set; and variable Alternative Supplier Evaluation costs.
- Audit and compliance: underpayments plus interest, and audit costs if the understatement exceeds 2%; actual Quality Assurance Inspection costs; in-house legal billing currently $400 per attorney hour and $150 per paralegal hour.
- End of agreement: a $125 monthly Booking Platform Fee for 60 days after termination or expiration in specified circumstances, possible Liquidated Damages under the FDD formula, de-identification costs, client refunds where required, and unpaid obligations.
- Inventory and cooperative marketing: inventory cost varies if designated products are required; Marketing Cooperative contributions are set if a cooperative is established, although none existed on the FDD issuance date.
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5 pp. 6–8 and Item 6 pp. 8–17. Variable legal, audit, supplier, relocation, refurbishment, and post-termination amounts cannot be converted into a reliable opening budget without the triggering facts.
Transfer-deposit conflict: Item 6 states a $3,500 Transfer Fee Deposit, while Item 17 describes a $5,000 deposit. Because the same 2026 FDD contains both figures, the deposit is unresolved until Fitness Together Franchise, LLC identifies the controlling amount in the current transfer documents. The transfer fee itself is separate from the deposit. For an ownership-interest transfer under an Area Development Agreement, Item 6 also lists a $2,500 administrative fee and states that development rights cannot be transferred.
How much liquid capital and net worth does Fitness Together require?
The 2026 FDD does not state a liquid-capital or net-worth threshold. The official franchise website currently screens for $150,000 of liquid capital, which is not the same as the $259,283 to $574,159 Item 7 investment. Its net-worth language is inconsistent: the official investment page and FAQ state $350,000, while the official homepage displays $300,000.
- Confirm the current liquid-capital and net-worth criteria in writing and ask whether any portion must be non-borrowed.
- Separate unrestricted cash from retirement accounts, home equity, and other assets that may count toward net worth but cannot fund opening invoices readily.
- Account for guarantee exposure: the 2026 FDD states that the franchisee’s spouse must sign a document making the spouse liable for all financial obligations under the Franchise Agreement even without an ownership interest; separate lease or lender guarantees may add further exposure.
- Reconcile the approved site budget to the 2026 Item 7 categories rather than the older figures still shown on public franchise pages.
Current public qualification references: official investment information, official FAQ, and the official U.S. franchise website, checked July 20, 2026.
What is not resolved by the official investment range?
Fitness Together Franchise, LLC states in Item 10 that it does not offer direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee a note, lease, or obligation. Financing approval, interest, lender fees, and debt service therefore sit outside Item 7 and depend on the buyer, collateral, lender, and transaction.
- Owner compensation: Additional Funds include payroll but exclude a draw or salary for the owner, and exclude a manager’s salary when the owner is not the manager.
- Real estate beyond the prototype: land purchase, a freestanding new build, space above the typical 1,500–2,600 square feet, and unusual site remediation are not resolved by the range.
- Local government costs: building permits and plan-review fees are excluded from the Leasehold Improvements estimate; certain state bonds are also excluded.
- Transaction costs: finance charges, interest, debt service, state and local taxes, and shipping are excluded.
- Future system changes: replacement or modified Computer System components and future technology upgrades cannot be estimated in the FDD but must be implemented at the franchisee’s expense.
- Renewal, transfer, and remodel: a successor term requires the Successor Franchise Fee and an update or remodel to then-current standards; a transferee may also have to upgrade, remodel, and refurbish the Studio.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 7 pp. 18–21; Item 10 p. 27; Item 11 pp. 34–35; and Item 17 pp. 49–54. The FTC Franchise Rule explains the federal disclosure framework.
What should a prospective buyer carry into final due diligence?
The verified 2026 starting point is $259,283 to $574,159 for one new Studio, or $294,283 to $609,159 for a three-Studio development commitment plus the first opening. The largest uncertainty is the premises: Leasehold Improvements alone range from $84,000 to $275,000 after possible landlord allowances. The buyer must keep four figures separate—Total Estimated Initial Investment, the $40,000 Initial Franchise Fee, the $150,000 public liquid-capital screen, and percentage-based ongoing fees.
The most important unresolved items are site-specific construction, the conflicting public net-worth threshold, the FDD’s conflicting transfer-deposit figures, and any incentive that may or may not have been extended after June 30, 2026. Those points should be resolved in the latest FDD update, approved site budget, Franchise Agreement, lease package, supplier quotes, and written franchisor communications before funds are committed.