In a late summer deal, the YourZone45 franchise network was sold to 3d Leisure Ltd September 2021 for an undisclosed sum. Our investment into the franchise sector has taken a new turn and one for the better.
New Direction
The master franchisor, EFG Ltd, wanted to divest itself of the bricks and mortar network to free up time and resource to concentrate on the lower cost outdoor fitness franchise, RISE.
The five YZ45, studios all re-opened after the various lockdowns and the membership had stayed loyal through the shutdown. The franchisees had kept their membership engaged and some would say entertained with a combination of online classes, challenges and outdoor sessions when they could. All this effort paid off with some members maintaining DD’s and returning to the face to face classes as soon as they could. However, during lockdown the development of the concept of an outdoor franchise that brings the 'boutique experience' to the park excited the team and the potential to scale looked a better bet than the somewhat moribund property led studio sector.
Using personal networks, interest quickly developed from two or three buyers for the YZ45 network but the most responsive and quickest to the table was 3d Leisure. After the purchase 3d laid out their priorities and what they wanted to do:
Paul Ramsay, 3d Leisure managing director, said: "We're now reviewing the current franchisee support offered to see where we can add more value and we're hoping to develop the product and service and we will aim to grow the network through engaging with more fitness entrepreneurs around the UK."
Established in 1991, 3d Leisure manages around 100 hotel gyms in the UK on a contract basis and are well positioned to support and grow the network. Read the full report in Health Club Management.
The Future is RISE
We invested in the francise sector to scale and want a UK wide business with ambitions for overseas territories. A new management team will be put in place and incentivised to grow the franchise while evolving and developing the product. The new RISE product has a strong digital component as well as the outdoor sessions that tap into the new interest in being active outside.
What is RISE?
RISE is a brand-new FITNESS franchise created to fill an emerging gap. Outdoor workouts have become popular as pandemic lockdowns and gym closures have encouraged people to explore their communities for engaging new alternatives. RISE brings the solution.
RISE incorporates group personal training in outdoor exercise sessions with continuous online coaching and support. Members set personalised goals, join challenges, and receive nutritional advice. RISE has heart rate technology at the core, allowing members to work to the correct intensity during training. Our app means our coaches stay connected, build a community and coach members on the days they are not seeing them face-to-face.
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