Curves Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Curves is a fitness franchise that offers 30-minute strength training and cardio workouts designed for women in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Curves is a pioneering fitness franchise dedicated exclusively to women, offering a supportive and efficient workout environment. Founded in 1992 by Gary and Diane Heavin in Harlingen, Texas, Curves introduced a novel concept: a 30-minute circuit training program combining strength training, cardio, and stretching, tailored specifically for women. The success of this model led to the launch of its franchising program in 1995.

Today, Curves is headquartered in Waco, Texas, and has expanded its presence globally, with locations across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries.

The Curves workout is designed to be time-efficient and effective, focusing on strength training—a component often underrepresented in women’s fitness programs. Each session is guided by a Curves Coach, ensuring personalized attention and support. In addition to exercise, Curves offers nutritional guidance and wellness education, taking a holistic approach to health.

What sets Curves apart in the competitive fitness industry is its unwavering commitment to creating a non-intimidating, community-oriented space for women. By eliminating common barriers such as time constraints, high costs, and the often-daunting atmosphere of traditional gyms, Curves has made fitness accessible to women who might otherwise feel excluded.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee$50,000
Application Fee$500
Initial Training Registration Fee$0 - $300
Travel and Living Expenses While Training$1,500 - $4,500
Site Evaluation$0 - $1,250
Furniture$1,500 - $3,000
Technology Fee$275
2 TV/Sound Bar System$550 - $1,000
Supplies$500 - $1,000
Computer$500 - $1,000
Signs$1,000 - $3,000
Advertising Grand Opening Advertising$5,000 - $7,000
Deposits$2,000 - $6,000
Insurance$2,000 - $2,500
Business Registration$0 - $500
Professional Fees$1,000 - $3,000
Curves Equipment Delivery Fee$2,500 - $5,000
The Evolt 360 Body Composition Scanner$307.47 - $5,650
Evolt License Fee$150
Evot Training and Delivery Fee$300
MyZone Switch Heart Rate/Fitness Hardware$499 - $600
MYZone License Fee$150
MyZone Trackers$70 per Tracker
Additional Funds - 3 Months$1,500 - $4,500
Total$71,801.47 - $101,245
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee$50,000
Application Fee$500
Initial Training Registration Fee$0 - $300
Travel and Living Expenses While Training$1,500 - $4,500
Site Evaluation$0 - $1,250
Furniture$1,500 - $3,000
Technology Fee$275
2 TV/Sound Bar System$550 - $1,000
Supplies$500 - $1,000
Computer$500 - $1,000
Signs$1,000 - $3,000
Advertising Grand Opening Advertising$5,000 - $7,000
Deposits$2,000 - $6,000
Insurance$2,000 - $2,500
Business Registration$0 - $500
Professional Fees$1,000 - $3,000
Curves Equipment Delivery Fee$2,500 - $5,000
The Evolt 360 Body Composition Scanner$307.47 - $5,650
Evolt License Fee$150
Evot Training and Delivery Fee$300
MyZone Switch Heart Rate/Fitness Hardware$499 - $600
MYZone License Fee$150
MyZone Trackers$70 per Tracker
Additional Funds - 3 Months$1,500 - $4,500
Total$71,801.47 - $101,245

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Curves provides a structured training framework to ensure that franchisees and their key personnel are fully equipped to operate a Curves fitness and weight-loss club. The training is mandatory and must be completed before the franchise can be opened. Below are the training programs included:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Curves requires franchisees to complete an initial training program, which involves a $5,500 Training Fee paid before signing the franchise agreement. This training includes registration for 2–3 individuals from the franchise team. The program must be successfully completed by the franchisee and designated personnel to be authorized to open the club.
  2. Supplemental Training for Additional Personnel
    If more than three individuals attend the initial training, additional registration fees may apply. These individuals must also meet the training completion standards set by Curves. The franchisor determines successful completion based on test results and observed competency.
  3. Technology and Software System Training
    As part of the onboarding, franchisees are trained to use the proprietary Curves operating system and other integrated technology platforms. This includes setup and support for systems managing club operations, requiring a monthly Technology Fee of $275. This component ensures consistent operational standards and data management across all franchise units.

Territory Protection

Curves provides its franchisees with a designated “Approved Location” for operating their club, but it does not offer exclusive territorial rights. While franchisees must select a site approved by Curves and receive assistance in site selection, this does not prevent Curves from granting other franchises or operating corporate locations nearby.

The franchisor retains full discretion to approve new clubs in proximity to existing ones based on their internal criteria. Additionally, the franchise agreement does not prohibit Curves from placing advertisements or promotional activities in any geographic area, including one where a franchisee is already operating.

Although franchisees may develop and propose local advertising plans, these must align with Curves’ brand standards and receive written approval.

Competitors

Below are some of

Curves

key competitors in the

Fitness Studios

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

154

New
+
-39%
-39%

$50,000

$72,000

$101,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Oxygen Yoga & Fitness

Oxygen Yoga & Fitness is a boutique fitness franchise offering infrared-heated yoga, barre, and functional training classes, serving primarily women seeking low-impact yet challenging workouts, and known for heated studios, diverse class formats, flexible memberships, and supportive, community-driven environments.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$356,000 - $642,000

Neighborhood Barre

Neighborhood Barre is a boutique fitness franchise offering low-impact barre classes and related retail, serving women and mixed-level fitness clients, and known for inclusive studios, proprietary choreography, and full-body workouts blending strength, cardio, and flexibility to deliver quick, sustainable results.

Franchisees

?

19
+
-5%
-5%
Investment

?

$94,000 - $266,000

IM=X Pilates

IM=X Pilates is a boutique fitness franchise offering Pilates-based, cardio and strength workouts in studio settings, serving health-conscious adults across fitness levels, and known for its proprietary IM=X method, proprietary reformer equipment, and tuition-free staff training and support.

Franchisees

?

37
+
23%
23%
Investment

?

$85,000 - $340,000

The Yard Gym

The Yard Gym is a functional fitness franchise offering strength, HIIT, group training, and performance programs, serving adults seeking serious results, and known for warehouse aesthetics, scalable design, and engaging training models.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$237,000 - $954,000

Vertica Fitness

Vertica Fitness is a boutique pole fitness franchise offering classes, parties, and skill training, serving fitness enthusiasts and new learners, and known for low startup cost, turnkey curriculum, and inclusive, community-driven branding.

Franchisees

?

3
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$184,000 - $312,000

SWEAT440

SWEAT440 is a boutique fitness franchise offering 40-minute HIIT and strength circuit workouts with new classes starting every 10 minutes, serving busy adults, and known for convenience, community engagement, and scalable fitness studio operations.

Franchisees

?

13
+
1200%
1200%
Investment

?

$278,000 - $681,000