These days, consumers are focused on getting healthy and staying healthy. In fact, the U.S. health and wellness market has a projected value of $1.2 trillion (as of 2021) and accounts for 28% of the worldwide market, according to Zippia's
"Health and Wellness Industry Statistics" (2022) report. Analysts predict an annual growth rate of 9.9%.
Under the broad umbrella of health and wellness-focused products and services are many opportunities. You can find franchises that focus on nutrition, general exercise or specific fitness, massage therapy, life coaching, beauty and spa care centers, home-related health services, and so much more.
What does this mean for you?
It means you've got a healthy opportunity to join an industry with the potential to make you a successful entrepreneur.
Research and Plan What Health and Wellness Franchise Works for You
The first step is finding a franchise that fits your needs while serving the needs of consumers focused on getting into shape. Avoid trends because many of them are short-lived. When the trend is gone, so is your business.
Products designed for weight loss and dieting are a big part of the wellness and fitness industry, but they are one of the biggest culprits regarding trends and fads. When you consider something in this category, research before you invest. Look for customer reviews and read what people are saying. The more you know about a company and its product, the less likely you are to fail before you begin.
Pay attention to how long a franchise has been around. This can indicate how well it performs and whether or not it's more than a passing fancy. Also, has research or studies shown the product's effectiveness? Consumers don't like to be taken advantage of, so a company that can't back up the legitimacy of its product isn't likely to be a good investment.
Personal trainers, nutritional experts, and lifestyle coaches are always popular with people who want to make positive changes. Plenty of franchises let you provide these services, but how do you find the right one?
That's easy. Define your strengths and find a franchise that lets you maximize them. For instance, do you have any training, degrees, or certificates that suggest a path for you? Maybe you've studied massage therapy, or you have a degree in nursing. You might have a dietary background or martial arts training. You can leverage these skills to find a good fit for you.
Your goals are something else to think about. You might want to be involved in the day-to-day operations if you have the background. If you don't have the skills needed for a hands-on approach, you can hire professionals to handle the training and work with clients while you oversee the business aspects.
Once you've established your direction, choosing a franchise that fits your needs is the next step.
Fitness Centers: Help Folks Get in Shape and Stay That Way
Fitness centers are a core part of this industry. How much you make operating a gym varies. The market is competitive, so customer acquisition and retention are critical to success.
In the gym industry, membership fees are your bread and butter. Trial memberships are an effective way to bring customers in, but customer retention requires a professional, well-trained staff that knows consumers want an experience that offers personal attention.
Convenience is another factor. A fitness center that is open 24/7, or at least one that opens early and closes late, gives people the flexibility to tailor their workouts to their schedule.
Another way to offer convenience is to bring the workout to them.
Many fitness-focused franchises make house calls. This is an effective way to build a customer base while keeping the overhead cost of having locations reduced or eliminated.
Some tremendous top-rated franchises let you take advantage of this business model.
Snap Fitness is a full-service fitness franchise that offers customers a results-driven experience. With over 2000 locations in 26 countries, Snap Fitness believes a strong franchisee/franchisor relationship is the key to success.
The company offers a variety of help, including real estate and club design assistance, club management tools, training, and marketing support.
Club Pilates is another top exercise franchise. The company believes "Extensive training and hands-on operational support drive success for franchisees."
In line with this belief, they offer strong brand management, a teacher training program, HR assistance, help finding locations, an annual convention, and other services to assist franchisees with their success.
If you want to take the workout to the customer,
GymGuyz is a great option. This is ideal for personal trainers looking for a solid franchise to back them.
GymGuyz offers extensive initial training and continuous support to all franchisees, allowing you to utilize your skills as a trainer while taking advantage of having a brand that gives you the tools you need to build a thriving business.
Healthy Eating
If the food industry is more your thing, health-conscious customers are ready to give you their business.
There are numerous options in this industry for franchising. Food kiosks, catering services, home food delivery services, and restaurants are a few examples.
Some companies advertise products as "nutritious and healthy" when that isn't the case. Always research to verify the validity of the claim. You don't want to get into a franchise and learn later that you're not selling customers what you promise.
Smoothies have been around for years and have become a popular choice for people taking care of themselves.
Smoothie King is a franchise started by Steve Kuhnau after he began blending healthy concoctions to combat his chronic food allergies. The franchise grew from there and now has over 1000 locations in the U.S.
Smoothie King products contain natural fruit, fruit juices, vegetables, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They're also athlete-friendly, containing no ingredients prohibited by regulatory lists monitored by the National Science Foundation.
The company actively pursues new product development, extensive marketing, real estate construction, and support and training for franchisees.
Rush Bowls is a company that believes people on the go need food choices that are good for them and easy to get. That's the concept the company built its franchise around: healthy eating in a fast-paced environment.
What makes the franchise appealing is its easy setup and minimal space requirements. There's no cooking in stores, it can be set up in small spaces (as little as 500 sq. ft), and it thrives in busy settings, such as near hospitals, colleges, and office buildings.
If you have an existing business and unutilized space, you could fill that area with a Rush Bowls business to maximize your income potential.
These are just a couple of examples of the opportunities that abound when providing people with better choices for eating. If you have restaurant experience, you might consider a dine-in restaurant specializing in food for the health-conscious. Whichever route you choose, there are plenty of ways to bring good food to the table.
Health and Wellness Franchise: Word of Warning
Some entrepreneurs without a medical degree want to expand their scope and move into medical franchises such as clinics and facilities that require doctors and medical staff. While this approach can be lucrative, you should consider the laws in your state.
In a D Magazine article titled
"Expert: How Entrepreneurs Can Own a Medical Practice," author Doris Dike said, "Here in Texas, and in many states around the country, the corporate practice of medicine law prohibits corporations, entities, or non-physicians from owning medical practices."
The article explains that legislature can often be vague regarding what is considered medical, especially as it "applies to the wellness/medspa industry."
You still have options if you're interested in franchises that require physicians and other trained medical personnel.
One way to do it is to form a management service organization (MSO) that handles everything except the medical aspects of the franchise. For the medical side, a second business entity owned by a physician would be in charge of the clinical aspects. This partnership is between a physician and an entrepreneur.
Consult an attorney to help you understand the laws in your state and the specifics of setting up this kind of business model.
Are You Ready To Get Healthy in the Franchise Industry?
Now that we've explored some healthy opportunities in the wellness and fitness industry, you're probably pumped to go out and get started.
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