Flynn Group Also Operates 3,000-Plus Franchised Restaurants
- Flynn Group has acquired Grand Fitness Partners’ portfolio of Planet Fitness franchises.
- Flynn Group also operates 3,000-plus restaurant franchises, making it the third-largest restaurant operator in the United States.
- The CEOs of Planet Fitness and Flynn Group foresee strong growth potential in the fitness market.
- Launched in 1992, Planet Fitness has more than 2,700 locations worldwide.
Flynn Group, widely recognized as the world’s largest operator of franchises, has tripled its Planet Fitness holdings by acquiring the 98-unit Grand Fitness Partners franchisee. Grand Fitness Partners has locations around the United States: from California to Florida and in Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Flynn Group has achieved a high profile globally as a multi-unit, multi-brand restaurant franchise operator on a massive scale. It has more than 3,000 restaurants – Applebee’s, Arby’s, Taco Bell, Panera, Pizza Hut, 7 Brew and Wendy’s locations – in its franchise portfolio.
The Grand Fitness deal gives Flynn Group 141 Planet Fitness clubs in seven states, according to an article in Athletech News. Flynn Group, originally called Flynn Restaurant Group, entered the fitness arena fairly recently. Flynn Fitness began in 2023 after the acquisition of Alder Partners, which had 37 Planet Fitness clubs. Flynn Restaurant Group rebranded to Flynn Group in November 2023.
CEOs’ Reactions and Market Potential
Greg Flynn, founder, chairman and CEO of Flynn Group, expressed enthusiasm about the Grand Fitness Partners deal. “We’re very excited to welcome the Grand Fitness teams and clubs into the Flynn Group family,” Athletech News quoted him as saying. “Health and wellness are on the minds of consumers more than ever before, and fitness is a natural complement to our core restaurant business.”
Also in the article, Planet Fitness CEO Colleen Keating thanked Grand Fitness for more than 15 years as part of the Planet Fitness system and praised “their commitment to expanding access and providing affordable fitness in the communities they served.”
Like Flynn, she emphasized the long-term growth potential of the fitness industry, and research data supports her view. The North American health and fitness club market was valued at more than $47.8 billion in 2023 and grew to $51.8 billion in 2024, according to Fortune Business Insights. The U.S. market alone was valued at $35.2 billion in 2024, the market research specialist added. Fortune Business Insights attributed the industry’s U.S. growth to excellent facilities and consumers’ willingness to purchase memberships.
About Planet Fitness
Last year Planet Fitness added 1.1 million net new members and reported $1.3 billion in full-year revenue, up 12.1%, according to Athletech News. The publication added that Planet Fitness has reported tremendous success with its new members-only Perks partnership with the Ro telehealth platform, which offers prescriptions for GLP-1 medications that promote weight loss. Keating said the partnership has generated strong downloads and conversion rates.
Founded in 1992, Planet Fitness is known for its low cost and what it calls its Judgment Free Zone environment. It appeals to casual gym-goers and beginners. Memberships typically start at approximately $15 per month.
Most of the 2,700 Planet Fitness locations are in the United States, but the franchise also operates in Canada, Panama, Mexico, Spain and Australia. Franchise headquarters are in Hampton, N.H.
Flynn Group acquired Grand Fitness Partners from its majority owner, investment firm HGGC, and Monogram Capital Partners, the previous majority owner, which retained a minority stake. Neither has maintained any stake in Grand Fitness Partners, according to an HGGC news release about the transaction. In its news release, HGGC said Grand Fitness had grown under its guidance “while maintaining the welcoming, high-quality, and judgment-free experience that defines the brand. … We believe the company [Grand Fitness] is well-positioned for continued success as part of Flynn Group and within a fitness category that continues to benefit from today’s evolving wellness trends.”
About Flynn Group
Flynn Group LP is the third-largest operator of restaurants, after only Starbucks and Chipotle, in the United States, the news release stated. Flynn Group’s properties are located in 44 states, Australia and New Zealand. The company generates $5 billion in annual sales and has more than 78,000 employees.
San Francisco-based Flynn Group was founded in 1999. The franchisee embraces diversity; the Flynn Group website says diversity among its team members “isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also the right thing to do for our business.”
