Dispute Ends While Support for Franchisees and Athletes Remains Top Priority for Fitness Brand
D1 Training leaders are reaffirming their commitment to franchise owners’ success after an independent arbitrator ruled in favor of the fitness brand in a legal dispute involving a former franchisee. Arbitrator John T. Blankenship denied all claims made in a lawsuit against D1 Training, finding that the former franchisee failed to prove allegations involving fraud or misrepresentation.
Blankenship’s May 18 ruling ends the legal battle initiated by Alex Nicholas, former owner of a D1 location in Naples, Fla., who sued D1 Sports Franchise in April 2025 in the Circuit Court of Williamson County, Tenn., where D1 is based. Blankenship’s decision followed a four-day arbitration conducted in February.
“We are pleased this matter has been resolved and remain focused on supporting our franchisees, serving athletes and continuing to strengthen our brand,” said D1 CEO Will Bartholomew. “Our mission remains unchanged: helping franchisees succeed while providing athletes with a best-in-class training experience.”
Commitment to Franchisees
Since its founding in 2002, D1 Training has grown into a national fitness franchise focused on athletic-based training for youth and adults. As the brand continues expanding, company leaders say ongoing investment in franchisee support remains a central priority.
Franchisees receive operational guidance, marketing resources, business coaching and ongoing education designed to help owners build successful businesses while delivering a consistent training experience across the system. The company has also introduced several initiatives intended to strengthen franchise operations and athlete outcomes. These include:
- D1 Verified, a coach-certified athletic testing system that helps measure, track and showcase training performance over time for athletes ages 14 to 18.
- Athlete Performance Index, a standardized combine-style testing platform that measures athletic metrics and translates them into a five-star rating system benchmarked against college recruiting standards.
- Enhanced coach certification programs designed to create coaching standards, improve athlete progression and deliver a more consistent training experience across D1’s national franchise network.
“Our focus has always been on helping franchisees build successful businesses while providing athletes and families with an exceptional training experience,” Bartholomew said. “That commitment continues to guide every investment we make in our franchise system.”
About D1 Training
D1 Training offers science-backed, coach-led workouts that are structured like a Division 1 collegiate strength and conditioning program. Every session is designed to improve athletic performance, regardless of age or skill level.
Bartholomew, as well as many D1 staffers, were elite D1 athletes themselves; Bartholomew played football alongside Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee, winning the 1998 National Championship and serving as captain of the team in 2001. He signed with the Denver Broncos, but sustained a career-ending injury before the season began.
D1 Training has won kudos for its commitment to quality for clients and franchisees. The franchise has been endorsed by the National Association of Sports Medicine. The franchise also has landed on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list, been tapped as one of America’s top gyms by Men’s Health magazine, and appeared on the Inc. 5000, the magazine’s ranking of the fastest-growing U.S. companies. Bartholomew also has been named as one of the top entrepreneurs in the Southeast by Ernst & Young.
