Franchisee: Steve Eddleston
Planet Fitness | 14 locations in Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass.
The pitch: Planet Fitness offers a workout environment within a “judgment-free zone,” trying to appeal to first-time fitness-center members. Each location has an array of workout equipment, including weights and cardio machines.
Years in business: 10
Employees: 210
Cost to obtain franchise: $20,000 initial franchise fee per location; total investment of $969,600 to $4.2 million
Before opening franchise: The United Kingdom-born Eddleston immigrated with his parents to Auckland, New Zealand, in 1963, where he later graduated as an electrical engineer and then worked for Digital Equipment Corp. for 20 years as a computer engineer from 1976-1996.
Reason for opening: Eddleston became an avid jogger to deal with the everyday work stress in the computer industry, and that passion became a second career. In October 2008, Eddleston opened his first Planet Fitness in Providence. By 2014, his operation grew to five new locations and then later he purchased four neighboring locations in Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass. Eddleston, who owns the franchises with his daughter Jessica Miller, has two more locations, North Smithfield and North Providence, under construction.
“Jogging became a way for me to deal with the work and the job. So, when I decided to look for something else to do, I said, ‘If you find something you love doing, it might become a business venture.’ “
“Planet Fitness had this 24 hours, $10 a month, ‘judgment-free zone, we’re here for you with totally free training,’ soup-to-nuts approach. It totally fascinated me and, to me, that [approach] is the future.”
“The most rewarding thing is to hear the stories of the members. It’s literally changed people’s lives. We have one member who describes coming to one of the Pawtucket clubs, where she says she’s been coming to the club for two and a half years, and it’s completely changed her whole outlook on life. That’s the most uplifting part is when you realize you’re affecting people’s lives for the better. It’s phenomenal.”
“The world has come around to fitness really becoming part of everybody’s routine. We all need it a little bit. The concept came on the market at the right time, and I was lucky enough to jump on that wave, and I’m still riding it.”
