Building a Resilient Fitness Franchise

Cail Morrison understands a thing or two about the franchising industry. He has been involved in the industry practically all his career in various roles.His time at Anytime Fitness and later at doggy daycare franchising at Camp Bow Wow provided him with a broad perspective on the franchising industry.He was responsible for consulting with franchise owners and helping them grow their businesses. During this time, he developed a strong understanding of the industry and the challenges that franchisees face.He is now involved with Alloy Franchising as a franchise and Franchise Sidekick, focusing on building community-centric businesses. This episode is valuable for aspiring fitness franchising and anybody who wants to understand how the franchising industry works as a whole. Tune in!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Cail's background in fitness and personal training (04:21)Transition to Anytime Fitness and business growth (07:36)Experience at Camp Bow Wow (17:01)Success with Stronger U Nutrition during the Pandemic (19:30)Choosing Alloy franchise with a focus on trust and experience (26:05)Perspective on being a franchisee (34:14)Importance of resilience and continuous effort (42:27)Future plans and goals (45:10)Additional Resources- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

We’ve heard Suzanne Robb, the COO here at Alloy Personal Training, talk about operations and other concepts in the business, but in this episode, she shares her journey to get here.Starting out as a microbiologist, she soon realized that her passion lay elsewhere. Even though the job was intellectually stimulating, she found it socially isolating.She helped her husband set up a medical practice before joining Alloy, first as a client and eventually as a business partner.In this episode, she is interviewed by Melissa LeEllen and Jesse Biondi of the Reimagine Success podcast about her journey, the evolution of the Alloy Personal Training Business to the current franchising model and all the lessons in between.  She also shares her rewarding experiences as a respite foster parent. Tune in!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Transition from microbiology to business (01:31)Launching the licensing business (04:56)Transition to franchising (07:23)Impact of COVID-19 on the business (09:47)Resuming franchise awards post-pandemic (12:20)Building a supportive community (17:23)Legal challenges in franchising (29:16)Preparing a business for franchising (36:37)Celebrating business successes (51:40)Additional ResourcesConnect with Suzanne: LinkedIn—--- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, we get to hear from Alloy’s COO, Suzanne Robb. She was interviewed by Cameron Herold on the Second in Command podcast.The COOs position is important for the success of any business, and Alloy is no exception. Suzanne works closely with Rick to help Alloy stay true to its core values and main goal. Their complementary skills facilitate strong leadership and a clear division of responsibilities.So far, Alloy has awarded close to 250 franchise locations. 45 of these are already open. 85 others are in the process of opening. This has been a huge success despite the challenge of launching the franchise just before the pandemic disruption of 2020.We get to hear from Suzanne on what it takes to grow a fitness franchise from the perspective of the COO. She talks about what it takes to ensure franchisees get all the tools and support needed to succeed.Tune in for a COO's perspective on building a fast-growing fitness franchise and get to know more about Suzanne Robb!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Personal training business model and franchising (01:59)Franchise sales and support for franchisees (8:48)Onboarding franchisees with a focus on training and culture alignment (13:43)Navigating franchisee stages, roles, and responsibilities (17:58)Entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth (22:38)Additional ResourcesConnect with Suzanne: LinkedInConnect with Cameron: LinkedIn—--- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

The franchise fitness space has so many options, which makes standing out from the pack a challenge.But Rick built the successful Alloy Personal Training fitness franchise by taking a unique approach, focusing on a niche market with a scalable model and a selective franchisee selection process.Alloy’s story began with a proven fitness concept that thrived corporately for years. He saw a gap in the market for personalized, small-group training specifically targeting active adults aged 45-65.This demographic is often underserved by traditional gyms or large group fitness classes.This focus on quality personalized training over mass classes makes it perfectly scalable and allows us to replicate the success across franchised locations.Tune in to this episode as Rick is interviewed by Michael Benso of the Sweat Success Podcast on the strategic decisions behind Alloy's franchise success.Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Importance of aligning individuals with suitable roles (14:43)Significance of evaluating leadership background in candidates (20:37) Overview of the franchise process leading to Discovery Day (23:15)Emphasis on choosing the right partners and following a structured sales process (25:45)Calculation and optimization of session bookings (34:22)Balancing membership allocations and operational constraints (35:12)Importance of accountability in personal training (38:24)Additional Resources- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Joe Steele interviews Rick Mayo on his journey from a personal trainer to a successful entrepreneur.He takes us through the evolution of the personal training industry, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the strategic decisions behind expanding Alloy into a franchise.In the early 1990s, personal training was not common at all. In fact, most people had not heard about it. Rick had to educate clients about its benefits.Rick’s business continued to grow and eventually transitioned from one-on-one personal training sessions to small group training. This was the key moment because he could now scale and also offer a better experience to clients.Fast forward to today, Alloy is a fast-growing franchise with numerous locations opening up. The journey to this point has been challenging but rewarding and Rick reveals it all in this episode.Tune in to learn of the strategic moves that led to the growth of Alloy and the lessons entrepreneurs can pick from them.Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Concept of personal training in the early 90s (02:15)Managing financial and psychological aspects of starting a business (05:50)Building a team and initial business operations (10:26)Balancing growth, time management, and financial goals (14:44)Evolution of marketing strategies over the years (19:50)Handling competition and staying ahead with innovation (24:17)Establishing and maintaining the target customer avatar (32:28)The decision to franchise and its implications (39:24)Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business (47:10)Lessons learned and future goals for Alloy (52:32)Additional Resources- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Entrepreneurship isn't always the dream job it's often portrayed to be. Elon Musk famously described it as "staring into the abyss while eating glass."In this episode, Matt and Rick break down this quote to discuss the real challenges of running a business. You'll learn what the "abyss" and the "glass" represent – the constant awareness of potential failure and the unpleasant tasks that come with leadership.We discuss why some entrepreneurs struggle: it's not always about having bad ideas, but often an unwillingness to consistently tackle the difficult parts of the job.We'll also share practical tips to help budding business owners stay motivated and navigate the inevitable "eating glass" moments – like leveraging support systems and focusing on your "why".If you're ready for a real talk about building your own business, tune in!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Dealing with operational issues in entrepreneurship (04:16)Challenges of switching focus from creative to operational tasks (06:37)Leadership's role in handling personnel and operational challenges (08:08)The importance of accountability in management (11:16)Personnel issues as a core entrepreneurial challenge (13:27)Balancing entrepreneurial optimism with the reality of tough decisions (15:44)The impact of avoiding tough conversations on business health (18:17)Persistent problem-solving and resilience in business (20:10)Additional Resources- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

The fitness industry is often obsessed with member acquisition, but Alloy Personal Training Franchise stands out with a metric that truly matters: client retention.Sure, we love seeing new faces walk through our doors, but one measurement of success that stands out is how long they stay a part of our community.Our average client sticks with us for a remarkable 36 months, and there's a reason for that.One of these reasons is that we intentionally keep our studios small to make it really personal training, not just in name.This means the trainers know more than just the client’s fitness goals—they will know much more about the clients, which helps foster real friendships between members, turning sessions into something to look forward to, not dread.Accountability is way more powerful when it comes from other members. This kind of community makes consistency a whole lot easier (and more fun!).Building this type of gym culture isn't a quick fix. It takes a relentless focus on the member's experiences. But the results are powerful: loyal clients who become your best advocates, reduced churn, and the satisfaction of knowing your gym truly makes a difference in people's lives.Tune in to this episode to learn more.Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Insights on fitness industry evolution and personal training's role (03:12)Discussion on client retention and personalized training advantages (06:34)Economic analysis of personal training costs (10:22)Impact of a personalized approach on long-term client engagement (15:39)Comparisons between group and personal training retention rates (18:00)Details on session structure and customer interaction (22:52)Importance of community and client connection in fitness settings (27:19)Strategies for ensuring high client retention and satisfaction (34:19)Additional ResourcesFollow Jerry Scarlato- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryscarlato/- YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@jerryscarlato—--- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Picture a franchise where everyone cares deeply about meeting standards, teams are motivated, and businesses flourish.The secret ingredient? Accountability.In this episode, Matt and Rick discuss accountability as the highest form of care. Sincere Candor is an Alloy core value. We explain how accountability is threaded into an organization and give real-world examples of how it can manifest itself positively or negatively.When everyone—from investors to front-line coaches—feels accountable, the franchise develops a culture of both care and operational excellence. Accountability is not just about following rules, but about showing care. Everyone within the organization contributes to overall success.Effective franchises have a clear, top-down accountability structure. Investors hold managers accountable, who in turn hold coaches accountable, ensuring consistency in client quality.This structure isn't just about metrics, it's about culture. When everyone grasps their responsibilities and strives for high standards, the entire franchise thrives. Commitment to accountability leads to seamless operations, enhanced customer experiences, and ultimately, better retention rates.So, how do we cultivate this accountability?Tune in to this episode to learn more.Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Importance of accountability in business (00:35)Accountability as a form of care (05:22)Structure from investors to coaches (10:18)Impact on franchise quality (15:47)Enhancing operational success (20:56)Benefits on retention rates (25:30)Additional Resources- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Consistency in fitness programming isn't just a nice to have; it's the difference between a thriving business and one that's constantly scrambling to please everyone.In this episode, Rick and Matt discuss the why's of Alloy programming and the importance of sticking to the script.It might be tempting for trainers to think they can improve things with a few tweaks here and there – a little extra cardio tacked on at the end of a fancy new exercise they just learned.But here's the thing: when the foundation of your business is inconsistent, things start to crumble.Think of it like this: your workouts are your product, just like a pizza recipe is to a pizza shop. If people could walk into your gym and receive drastically different experiences depending on their trainer, it breeds confusion and distrust.Plus, all that stuff trainers try to add is completely unnecessary! Alloy programming is built on solid scientific principles. If you run it with integrity, focusing on proper form and the right intensity, the results speak for themselves.Think long-term – when your whole team is on the same page, it makes running and scaling your business so much easier and ensures all clients receive the same quality of workout, which is crucial for client retention and business stability.Tune in to learn more about the ‘whys’ of Alloy programming!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Principles of programming for personal training (04:13)Importance of a standardized approach (08:33)The business impact of uniform training approaches (11:11)Creating consistent customer experiences (14:02)Full-body training vs. body part splits (20:33)Why gym owners and coaches need to follow their programs (23:30)The importance of following a strategic workout plan for clients (26:50)Additional Resources- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

We all strive for those 'wow' moments for our clients – you know, the experiences that make them leave feeling impressed and raving about your business.But while the occasional "10 out of 10" is fantastic, did you know that consistency might be even more important?Sure, it's fantastic when your team occasionally pulls out all the stops for a client. But think about those between times. If a client never knows what to expect from the moment they walk in, even the best workouts can feel disappointing in comparison.As business owners and trainers in the fitness industry, we sometimes chase those exciting 'extras' - client outings, rewards programs, etc. While valuable, these can't make up for a core experience that wavers wildly between fantastic and mediocre.Consulting giant McKinsey found that consistent, even just moderately good, customer experiences have huge payoffs:- 15% reduction in the cost to serve those clients- 20% higher profit marginsHow do you make consistency your thing in a fitness business? Tune in to this episode to find out!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Importance of consistent customer experience (01:04)Financial benefits of consistency (03:15)Leadership's role in reinforcing consistency (05:42)Real-life analogy of haircuts to explain consistency (07:30)Consistency's impact on customer retention (09:26)Additional Resources:Jim Collins Books —- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!