Starting Strength

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Starting Strength

Fitness
Fitness Studios

Starting Strength Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Starting Strength is a fitness franchise specializing in strength training programs based on the proven Starting Strength methodology, promoting overall fitness and health.

Starting Strength is a fitness franchise that specializes in strength training and personal coaching. Founded in 2007 in Austin, Texas, by Mark Rippetoe, Starting Strength has established itself as a leading name in the fitness industry. The franchise is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and began its franchising operations in 2019.

Starting Strength offers a unique approach to fitness, focusing primarily on strength training through its signature barbell-based programs. The franchise provides comprehensive training programs that are designed to cater to individuals of all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced athletes.

Its proprietary methodology emphasizes foundational barbell lifts and personalized coaching, setting it apart from traditional gym models that may offer a broader range of fitness services.

The franchise differentiates itself through its commitment to high-quality, evidence-based strength training, guided by experienced coaches who are certified in the Starting Strength method.

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 $39,950
Real Estate/Lease (3 months + Deposit) $7,250 - $61,250
Project Management Fees $5,000 - $20,000
Real Estate Management Fees $5,000 - $10,000
Construction Management Fees $2,000 - $15,000
Construction Assistant Fees $3,200 - $8,000
Tenant Improvements and Build-Out $70,000 - $270,000
Gym Equipment $22,000 - $58,000
Furniture, Finishes, Fixtures and Gym Supplies $40,000 - $61,000
Signage $10,000 - $25,000
Grand Opening Marketing $2,500 - $8,500
Insurance $2,000 - $4,000
Utilities $1,750 - $4,200
Business License and Permits $1,000 - $18,000
Technology Fees paid to Franchisor $4,262 - $4,847
Other Technology Fees (Recommended) $1,179 - $2,838
Computer System and related equipment $1,000 - $3,500
Professional Fees $5,500 - $10,000
Architectural Fees $4,850 - $17,200
Management Development Program $5,320 - $11,520
Marketing Agency Management Fees $0 - $2,000
Recruiting Fees $1,000 - $5,300
Additional Funds – 3 months $395 - $39,200
Total Estimated Initial Investment $235,156 - $699,305
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $39,950
Real Estate/Lease (3 months + Deposit) $7,250 - $61,250
Project Management Fees $5,000 - $20,000
Real Estate Management Fees $5,000 - $10,000
Construction Management Fees $2,000 - $15,000
Construction Assistant Fees $3,200 - $8,000
Tenant Improvements and Build-Out $70,000 - $270,000
Gym Equipment $22,000 - $58,000
Furniture, Finishes, Fixtures and Gym Supplies $40,000 - $61,000
Signage $10,000 - $25,000
Grand Opening Marketing $2,500 - $8,500
Insurance $2,000 - $4,000
Utilities $1,750 - $4,200
Business License and Permits $1,000 - $18,000
Technology Fees paid to Franchisor $4,262 - $4,847
Other Technology Fees (Recommended) $1,179 - $2,838
Computer System and related equipment $1,000 - $3,500
Professional Fees $5,500 - $10,000
Architectural Fees $4,850 - $17,200
Management Development Program $5,320 - $11,520
Marketing Agency Management Fees $0 - $2,000
Recruiting Fees $1,000 - $5,300
Additional Funds – 3 months $395 - $39,200
Total Estimated Initial Investment $235,156 - $699,305

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

For new franchisees, Starting Strength provides a comprehensive training program designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to operate a successful franchise. Here’s a breakdown of the training provided:

  1. Franchisee Orientation: This initial training session introduces new franchisees to the Starting Strength brand, business model, and operational standards. It covers essential aspects of running a franchise, including brand values, mission, and business expectations.
  2. Operational Training: New franchisees receive detailed instruction on the day-to-day operations of a Starting Strength facility. This includes facility management, equipment setup and maintenance, scheduling, and client service protocols to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
  3. Coaching Certification: Franchisees undergo rigorous training to become certified Starting Strength coaches. This program covers the fundamentals of strength training, coaching techniques, program design, and client interaction, ensuring that franchisees can deliver high-quality coaching consistent with the Starting Strength methodology.
  4. Marketing and Sales Training: New franchisees are trained on marketing strategies and sales techniques specific to the Starting Strength model. This includes local marketing tactics, promotional activities, and strategies for client acquisition and retention to build a strong client base.

Territory Protection

Starting Strength franchise offers territory protection to its franchisees to help ensure that each location has a defined and exclusive market area. 

This protection means that no other Starting Strength franchises will be established within the designated territory, allowing franchisees to build and grow their client base without direct competition from other franchise units. 

This strategy is designed to enhance each franchisee's potential for success by minimizing market overlap and protecting their investment.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising
2018
Franchisees

?

17
+
325%
325%
Franchise fee

?

$39,950
Investment

?

$235,000 - $699,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed
Upgrade

$185,000

+
181.5%
181.5%
Operating Profit

?

Upgrade

n.a.

Home based

?

Upgrade
Passive investment

?

Upgrade
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Competitors

Below are some of

Starting Strength

key competitors in the

Fitness Studios

sector.

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

17

New
+
325%
325%

$39,950

$235,000

$699,000

n.a.

$185,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

25

New
+
213%
213%

$49,500

$282,000

$815,000

n.a.

$631,000

$xxx,xxx

96.0%

xx%

n.a.

25.9%

xx%

n.a.

73

New
+
-3%
-3%

$42,500

$304,000

$511,000

n.a.

$353,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

28

New
+
47%
47%

$45,000

$145,000

$343,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

84

New
+
147%
147%

$60,000

$510,000

$1,141,000

n.a.

$397,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

211

New
+
-4%
-4%

$10,495

$3,000

$29,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

23

New
+
-4%
-4%

$49,995

$115,000

$383,000

n.a.

$254,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

38

New
+
52%
52%

$50,000

$296,000

$583,000

n.a.

$455,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

19

New
+
111%
111%

$42,500

$513,000

$833,000

n.a.

$370,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

751

New
+
3%
3%

$60,000

$349,000

$786,000

n.a.

$407,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

356

New
+
13%
13%

$60,000

$282,000

$645,000

n.a.

$638,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

15.0%

xx%

n.a.

6

New
+
500%
500%

$30,000

$399,000

$735,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$49,000

$224,000

$385,000

n.a.

$596,000

$xxx,xxx

94.4%

xx%

n.a.

35.8%

xx%

n.a.

44

New
+
100%
100%

$60,000

$266,000

$645,000

n.a.

$433,000

$xxx,xxx

94.4%

xx%

n.a.

24.9%

xx%

n.a.

4

New
+
300%
300%

$45,000

$271,000

$518,000

n.a.

$261,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

5251

New
+
-5%
-5%

$1,250

$2,000

$41,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

617

New
+
-1%
-1%

$60,000

$314,000

$629,000

n.a.

$345,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3

New
+
-63%
-63%

$20,000

$185,000

$278,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

189

New
+
-24%
-24%

$60,000

$411,000

$1,110,000

n.a.

$407,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1029

New
+
37%
37%

$65,000

$385,000

$839,000

n.a.

$969,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

49

New
+
-26%
-26%

$49,500

$480,000

$790,000

n.a.

$562,000

$xxx,xxx

97.0%

xx%

n.a.

39.0%

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
150%
150%

$65,000

$396,000

$636,000

n.a.

$45,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

127

New
+
61%
61%

$39,250

$481,000

$933,000

n.a.

$626,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

20.0%

xx%

n.a.

81

New
+
-6%
-6%

$29,000

$2,037,000

$3,242,000

n.a.

$977,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

246

New
+
25%
25%

$30,000 - $55,000

$301,000

$670,000

n.a.

$588,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

202

New
+
-25%
-25%

$54,600

$212,000

$389,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

151

New
+
20%
20%

$50,000

$279,000

$556,000

n.a.

$335,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$50,000

$276,000

$535,000

n.a.

$590,000

$xxx,xxx

96.5%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

712

New
+
76%
76%

$19,950

$252,000

$1,182,000

n.a.

$291,000

$xxx,xxx

93.4%

xx%

n.a.

16.1%

xx%

n.a.

8

New
+
300%
300%

$52,000

$463,000

$877,000

n.a.

$993,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$302,000

$503,000

n.a.

$486,000

$xxx,xxx

98.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

17

New
+
0%
0%

$49,000

$384,000

$631,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

76

New
+
-27%
-27%

$49,500

$349,000

$472,000

n.a.

$455,000

$xxx,xxx

96.7%

xx%

n.a.

19.1%

xx%

n.a.

12

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$60,000

$413,000

$807,000

n.a.

$924,000

$xxx,xxx

76.2%

xx%

n.a.

30.7%

xx%

n.a.

49

New
+
2350%
2350%

$60,000

$510,000

$1,204,000

n.a.

$329,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

14

New
+
133%
133%

$40,000

$228,000

$676,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

5

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$60,000

$344,000

$782,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

11

New
+
22%
22%

$40,000

$240,000

$465,000

n.a.

$295,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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.

29

New
+
164%
164%

$60,000

$400,000

$496,000

n.a.

$291,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

192

New
+
21%
21%

$60,000

$529,000

$826,000

n.a.

$468,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$50,000

$393,000

$893,000

n.a.

$882,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

82

New
+
19%
19%

$60,000

$328,000

$491,000

n.a.

$255,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

25

New
+
-39%
-39%

$39,500

$268,000

$421,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

41

New
+
11%
11%

$55,000

$300,000

$674,000

n.a.

$342,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

30

New
+
1400%
1400%

$60,000

$213,000

$528,000

n.a.

$422,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

234

New
+
5%
5%

$50,000

$71,000

$252,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$45,000

$356,000

$512,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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