Childhood Friends Turn Shared Passion Into a Flourishing Fitness Franchise
- Two childhood friends own and operate Burn Boot Camp franchises in Southern California.
- The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the partners, but they creatively and resiliently pivoted to keep their new business afloat.
- The community culture of Burn Boot Camp fuels the partners’ passion for the brand.
- The Burn Boot Camp franchisee network provides an important support system for all of the brand’s owners.
Longtime friends Allison Bradley (above, left) and Erica Ames (above, right) were hooked on Burn Boot Camp after just one week at the Elizabeth, N.C., location. Burn Boot Camp, a community-based fitness franchise, later led to a business partnership and a calling for Bradley and Ames.
“It wasn’t just because the workouts were effective,” Ames says, “but because of how the community and staff made us feel seen, supported and part of something bigger. That experience changed our lives so profoundly that we wanted to bring it to others. Neither of us had owned a business before, but we knew this was something worth taking a leap for.” They now operate Burn Boot Camp franchises in Oceanside and Poway, Calif., and their third site is in the works.
“COVID shut us down two weeks after we opened our first location in Oceanside, in March 2020,” Ames says. “We adapted quickly, moving to virtual training, hosting outdoor camps and finding every possible way to stay connected with our members. Quitting was never an option. Those early days tested us but ultimately strengthened our partnership.”
Seeds of Their Partnership
The women’s friendship runs even deeper than their business collaboration. “We grew up together in Morgantown, W.Va., and became friends in middle school,” Bradley says. “Even after Erica moved to Florida during high school, we stayed in touch. Life eventually brought us both to Charlotte, where we reconnected.”
The business partnership started after Bradley told her husband, Seth, who was exploring franchise opportunities, that “I’d love to open a Burn Boot Camp in Southern California,” where they were moving. “The area didn’t have one yet, and I knew I’d miss it. Seth called the company’s headquarters the following week, and from there, everything clicked into place.”
Ames says that from the beginning “our friendship and complementary strengths became our anchor. Allison naturally leans toward operations, logistics and structure, while my background is in sports medicine, so I had a deeper understanding of the fitness product. That balance allowed us to thrive during uncertain times. We supported each other through the stress and the unknown. That teamwork, paired with our shared belief in the mission, helped us build trust and loyalty within our community. That same foundation continues to carry us forward as we grow across San Diego County.”
Resilience, which Bradley describes as “a mix of grit, adaptability and optimism,” also has been vital. “We both share a figure-it-out mindset. If there’s a problem, we don’t dwell – we act,” Bradley says. “We’re also big believers in communication and reflection. We’re not afraid to have honest conversations, reset and learn from setbacks. Beyond that, our shared love for people and community has always grounded us. Even when business feels tough, we remind ourselves that what we do changes lives, and that keeps us going.”
Building a Team and Relationships
While Bradley and Ames, Burn Boot Camp’s 2025 Franchise Partners of the Year, are hands-on at their gyms, they aren’t micromanagers. “Staying connected to the gyms ensures we never lose sight of what makes Burn Boot Camp special – the relationships, energy and culture – while we stay positioned for continued growth and scalability,” Ames says. “But we’ve created a leadership structure that oversees each department. This has allowed us to delegate many day-to-day responsibilities and empower our team to take ownership of their roles while we focus on the bigger picture, which is developing our people, refining systems and driving long-term strategy.”
Relationships with their team, their communities and especially their members drive their success. “We’re invested in our team’s growth, personally and professionally,” Bradley says. “Beyond the gym walls, we also give back to our community through events, fundraisers and partnerships. And we treat members like family, getting to know their stories, celebrating their milestones and supporting them through challenges.”
Ames emphasizes how inspiring it is to hear members tell their transformation stories of how Burn Boot Camp has changed or even saved their lives. “It’s not just about fitness. It’s about helping people rebuild confidence, find community and realize their strength. Seeing that kind of transformation firsthand will always be the most rewarding part of owning a Burn Boot Camp franchise.”
Tips for Other Friends as Partners
That fulfillment helps keep them “completely obsessed” with the brand, in Bradley’s words, but both recognize that it’s unhealthy for them to be all business all the time. “We’ve learned to make space for friendship outside of work, where we don’t talk about our gyms,” she says. “Maintaining our personal connection helps keep the business side strong. We also do a good job of respecting each other’s time away from the gyms.”
Ames chips in some more advice for entrepreneurs considering a franchise partnership with friends. “Communicate early and often. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Define responsibilities. Protect the friendship by separating emotion from business decisions. We’ve learned to approach disagreements with curiosity rather than defensiveness, asking, ‘Why?’ before reacting.”
“And intentionally nurture the friendship,” Ames says. “We still text our workout schedules to each other every Sunday so we can meet up to train together and enjoy the community we fell in love with. Most importantly, remember why you started – because you believed in each other.”
About the Burn Boot Camp Franchise
Ames shares that potential Burn Boot Camp franchisees can count on excellent support from headquarters and its franchisee network. “The proven systems gave us a framework to follow during uncertain times, but still allow us to adapt locally. The franchise community lifts each other up, shares best practices and reminds one another that we’re not in this alone.”
Founded in 2012 and with 375-plus current locations, the Burn Boot Camp franchise has territories available nationwide. Franchise candidates appreciate the high-demand market: Last year, women comprised about 51.5% of U.S. fitness facility memberships, according to Statista.com.
Visit the Burn Boot Camp website for details about franchise ownership opportunities.
