McFIT Moves Beyond Europe With Global Franchise Strategy
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
McFIT is opening a new chapter in its growth strategy by launching an international franchise model for the first time in the brand’s history. Founded in 1997, McFIT has long operated exclusively through company-owned gyms and is now positioning itself for expansion into new global markets without existing corporate locations.
To date, McFIT has built its footprint through more than 230 company-owned clubs across Germany, Austria, and Italy, with all locations leased, built, and operated directly by the company. That structure will remain unchanged in its current European markets. The new franchise strategy is designed to complement this approach by enabling growth in countries where McFIT does not yet operate, extending the brand’s reach without shifting its existing operating model.
The move builds on the broader franchise expertise of RSG Group, which has owned Gold’s Gym since 2020. Gold’s Gym currently operates a hybrid model with 58 company-owned locations and more than 500 franchise gyms worldwide. RSG Group executives say that experience has laid the foundation for scaling McFIT internationally through franchising.
“Over the past years, we have proven that we not only understand franchise systems, but can successfully scale them worldwide,” said Jörg Fockenberg, vice president of strategy, expansion, and franchise at RSG Group. He described the internationalization of McFIT as the next logical step in opening the company’s strongest European brand to new markets.
To support franchise partners, McFIT has developed a standardized franchise package designed to be adaptable to local market conditions while maintaining consistent brand standards. The framework includes tools for studio setup, daily operations, and brand management, along with defined processes intended to support partners from early engagement through long-term operation.
“Our goal is to create a franchise system that offers partners maximum guidance, security, and efficiency, while fully leveraging McFIT’s unique brand strength,” said Jobst Müller-Trimbusch, co-CEO of RSG Group. He added that the company aims to empower entrepreneurs to replicate McFIT’s success in their home markets.
The McFIT franchise will be offered exclusively in countries where the brand does not currently operate company-owned gyms, with a primary focus on recruiting master franchisees. The strategy positions McFIT to enter previously untapped markets while preserving its established operating model in Europe.
