A fitness franchise co-founded by four-time world champion boxer Danny Green is aiming to open six gyms in Bristol as part of a 拢50m rollout of the brand across the 海角视频 and Ireland.
The business was co-founded by Mr Green and entrepreneur Tim West in 2016 as 12RND Fitness and has opened more than 90 sites in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore with more than 15,000 members. It is now looking to expand globally under the brand UBX Training.
UBX Training has now agreed a deal with investment firm and franchise operator Empowered Brands which is targeting 250 sites for the chain on these shores, creating around 750 jobs.
The two companies said that as many as 450 to 550 sites could be opened within the next 15 years, depending on demand.
BusinessLive understands that while the sites for the proposed gyms in Bristol have not been finalised, six is the target number the chain wants to open in the city.
As part of its investment, Empowered Brands will make 拢30m available as loan financing to help individual franchisees cover initial set-up costs. The firm estimated that an investment of around 拢200,000 would be required to open and operate a single UBX Training unit under the franchising model.
Empowered Brands said the investment reflected its confidence in UBX鈥檚 long-term vision and resilience to any future Covid-related disruption to the fitness sector.
John Jempson, chief financial officer at Empowered Brands, said: 鈥淲e foresee strong interest in our franchise offering from three key groups; personal trainers looking to take the step up into bricks and mortar, existing fitness businesses looking to diversify their portfolios, as well as 鈥榗orporate refugees鈥 鈥 individuals who might be leaving the workforce and rethinking their career path.
鈥淯BX units are small and with our support, represent a low cost of entry to the fitness market.鈥
UBX Training co-founder Mr West said Empowered Brands鈥 understanding of the 海角视频 and Irish markets made them the 鈥減erfect partners鈥 for the venture鈥檚 next stage of growth.
Mr West said: 鈥淪ince its foundation in 2016, the brand has gone from strength to strength 鈥 continuing to grow even through Covid-19 lockdowns.
鈥淭he 海角视频 and Ireland are logical and exciting next steps - they have a long and proud boxing history and we see a huge opportunity to modernise and elevate boxing using our proven and innovative training model.
鈥淲e are well-positioned to capitalise on the wider interest in health and fitness post-pandemic. Covid-19 shone a light on the importance of regular exercise 鈥 for both physical and mental well-being - thereby widening our target market.鈥
Based on Mr Green鈥檚 training methods, UBX鈥檚 non-contact workout consists of 12 three minutes rounds of different boxing skills and drills.
Empowered Brands鈥 flagship fitness brand is Energie Fitness which has around 100 clubs, including one in Bristol, with a total of 116,000 members.
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