Opening one Planet Fitness franchise in the U.S. requires an estimated initial investment of $1,282,500 to $5,386,000 under current 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) data. The FDD separately states an estimated range of $1,282,500 to $3,769,000 when equipment is financed.
The wide range reflects major differences in leasehold improvements, fitness and non-fitness equipment, opening marketing, deposits, professional fees, and working capital. Current 2026 FDD analyses show an initial franchise fee of up to $40,000, while certain arrangements may show a $0 initial fee.
Opening cost is only part of the financial commitment. A new U.S. franchise also needs to account for the current 7% royalty rate, 2026 national and local marketing requirements, payroll, rent, utilities, maintenance, insurance, future equipment replacement, and other operating expenses.
Last updated: August 10, 2026. This guide was updated using the current 2026 Planet Fitness FDD filing data plus Planet Fitness investor and SEC disclosures. Franchise terms can change, so use the FDD you personally receive from the franchisor before making an investment decision.
Planet Fitness Franchise Basics
Planet Fitness is a large value-focused fitness franchise. For a prospective owner, the most useful starting points are the current investment range, ongoing fees, system scale, and the type of operators already running franchised clubs.
The Brand’s History
Planet Fitness was founded in Dover, New Hampshire, in 1992. According to the company’s August 2026 investor disclosure:
- Planet Fitness had approximately 21.5 million members as of June 30, 2026.
- The system had 2,930 clubs as of June 30, 2026.
- Approximately 90% of clubs were owned and operated by independent business owners.
Franchise Model And Current Cost Snapshot
The current numbers show why a Planet Fitness franchise should be evaluated as a major capital project rather than a small owner-operated gym.
| Metric | Current Figure | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Total Estimated Initial Investment | $1,282,500 – $5,386,000 | Current 2026 Item 7 range |
| Equipment-Financed Investment Range | $1,282,500 – $3,769,000 | Range stated in the 2026 FDD when equipment is financed |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $0 – $40,000 | Item 7 range; current FDD analyses identify $40,000 as the standard fee |
| Current U.S. Royalty Rate | 7% | Applied to monthly dues and annual membership fees under the current rate for new U.S. franchisees |
| 2026 Marketing Structure | 3% national + 6% local | Planet Fitness shifted one percentage point from local to national marketing for 2026 |
Planet Fitness also evaluates a prospective franchisee’s financial history, available capital, financing, and experience with franchising or other multi-unit businesses. Confirm any current minimum net-worth or liquid-capital qualification directly in the FDD and franchise application you receive rather than relying on older online figures.
How Much Does a Planet Fitness Franchise Cost in 2026?
The 2026 FDD-derived Item 7 data gives a total estimated initial investment of $1,282,500 to $5,386,000. That is more useful than combining equipment, construction, and real estate into a few broad estimates because Item 7 separates the major startup categories.
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What Is the Planet Fitness Franchise Fee?
Current 2026 Item 7 data lists the initial franchise fee at $0 to $40,000. Current FDD analyses identify $40,000 as the standard initial fee, while a $0 fee can apply under certain franchise arrangements. The franchise agreement and FDD you receive control the actual amount.
Equipment And Facility Costs
- Fitness equipment: $33,300 to $995,000.
- Non-fitness equipment: $89,200 to $1,315,000.
- Exterior signs: $12,000 to $40,000.
- Computer, point-of-sale system, and other supplies: $1,000 to $7,000.
Equipment financing can materially change how much cash is needed before opening. The 2026 FDD states a total investment range of $1,282,500 to $3,769,000 when equipment is financed, while the broader disclosed Item 7 range reaches $5,386,000.
Real Estate And Renovation Expenses
Leasehold improvements are one of the largest startup categories, at $1,000,000 to $2,167,000 in current 2026 Item 7 data. Real estate lease deposits add another $0 to $95,000. Actual rent and site economics will depend on the market, property, lease, size, build-out condition, and negotiated terms.
The current Item 7 breakdown is:
| Type of Expense | 2026 Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $0 – $40,000 |
| Site Selection Costs | $0 – $10,000 |
| Construction Development Plan Review Fee | $0 – $5,000 |
| Design Resubmission Fee | $0 – $5,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $1,000,000 – $2,167,000 |
| Fitness Equipment | $33,300 – $995,000 |
| Non-Fitness Equipment | $89,200 – $1,315,000 |
| Pre-Sale/Grand Opening Marketing | $40,000 – $120,000 |
| Exterior Signs | $12,000 – $40,000 |
| Computer System, Point of Sale System, and Other Supplies | $1,000 – $7,000 |
| Insurance | $25,000 – $45,000 |
| Real Estate Lease Deposits | $0 – $95,000 |
| Other Deposits | $0 – $23,000 |
| Professional Fees | $2,000 – $25,000 |
| Out-of-Pocket Initial Training Expenses | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Licenses/Bonds | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Additional Funds – 3 Months | $68,000 – $459,000 |
| Total Estimated Initial Investment | $1,282,500 – $5,386,000 |
The total Item 7 estimate should be used as the franchisor’s disclosed range; do not simply add every maximum line item and assume your project will equal that sum. Your site, construction scope, equipment financing choice, deposits, and opening needs determine where your project falls within the disclosed range.
Ongoing Operational Costs
The startup investment does not include every cost you will face after opening. For comparison with a non-franchised facility, see our guide to the cost to build an independent gym.
A Planet Fitness operator must budget for franchise fees, marketing, payroll, occupancy, utilities, cleaning, repairs, insurance, technology, equipment replacement, and future remodeling.
What Ongoing Fees Does Planet Fitness Charge?
Planet Fitness’ current disclosures identify several important percentage-based obligations:
- Royalty: the current U.S. rate for new franchisees is 7% of monthly dues and annual membership fees.
- National Advertising Fund: Planet Fitness increased the contribution from 2% to 3% for 2026.
- Local marketing: the company reduced the local marketing requirement from 7% to 6% for 2026 as part of the same one-percentage-point shift.
The national and local marketing percentages therefore continue to represent a substantial operating commitment in addition to the 7% royalty. Review Item 6 of the current FDD for the exact calculation rules, minimums, special marketing provisions, and other fees that apply to your agreement.
Staffing And Maintenance
Franchise percentage fees are not your full operating budget. A location also needs to account for:
- Payroll and staffing for operating hours, cleaning, member service, and management.
- Rent, utilities, insurance, repairs, and supplies for the physical club.
- Equipment replacement and remodeling. Planet Fitness states that fitness equipment is generally replaced every five to nine years based on club volume, with a remodel required in year 12 under the current franchise agreement.
Technology And Systems Support
Planet Fitness clubs use computerized club-management systems for memberships, billing, check-ins, point-of-sale transactions, member data, and operating metrics. Technology-related fees and vendor costs should be modeled from the current FDD rather than assumed to be included in the royalty.
Revenue And Profitability: What The Disclosures Actually Show
Revenue is not the same as franchise-owner profit. Planet Fitness clubs rely heavily on recurring membership billing, while operating profit depends on rent, payroll, utilities, marketing, maintenance, royalty payments, debt, and other local costs.
How Planet Fitness Clubs Generate Revenue
The core club revenue model centers on recurring monthly and annual membership fees. Other club revenue can include enrollment or other membership fees and limited retail sales. Planet Fitness’ fitness instruction is included with membership, so it should not be presented as a separate personal-training upsell.
- Recurring membership dues: the main predictable revenue stream.
- Annual and other membership fees: additional member-related revenue.
- Retail and ancillary sales: a secondary revenue source rather than the core economic driver.
How Much Revenue Can A Planet Fitness Franchise Generate?
A current analysis of the 2026 FDD reports median 2025 annual EFT revenue of approximately $1,863,300 across 2,291 reporting franchised units, with a reported 25th-to-75th percentile range of approximately $1,597,497 to $2,170,135. EFT revenue is membership-billing revenue; it is not the owner’s take-home income.
| Financial Metric | Current Reference Point |
|---|---|
| 2025 Median Franchised EFT Revenue | About $1,863,300 in a 2026 FDD analysis |
| Reported 25th-75th Percentile EFT Revenue | About $1,597,497 – $2,170,135 |
| 2025 Mature Corporate-Club AUV | Approximately $2.0 million |
| 2025 Royalty-Adjusted Four-Wall Adjusted EBITDA Margin for Mature Corporate Clubs | Approximately 35.3% |
Planet Fitness states in its 2025 annual filing that, based on franchisee business reviews and management estimates, it believes average franchisee four-wall adjusted EBITDA margins are generally in line with those corporate-club results. That is a management estimate, not a promise of franchisee profit.
Why Owner Earnings Can Be Very Different From Revenue
The figures above should not be treated as an owner’s salary or net profit. Debt service, taxes, capital expenditures, local rent, payroll, repairs, insurance, equipment replacement, and other expenses can materially change the amount an owner ultimately keeps. Historical Item 19 performance also does not guarantee the result of a new location.
Financing And Capital Planning
A Planet Fitness franchise requires substantial capital, so financing should be modeled before a site or construction plan is finalized. Do not assume that the franchisor will provide a loan simply because the FDD includes an equipment-financing cost scenario.
How Should You Finance The Investment?
The current FDD should be reviewed for the exact Item 10 financing disclosure. Planet Fitness’ public filing states that franchisees own or directly lease their locations from third parties and that the company historically has generally not guaranteed franchisee lease agreements. Prospective owners should therefore evaluate their own equity, lender financing, lease obligations, and equipment financing based on the transaction they are considering.
Equipment Financing Versus Equipment Purchase
The equipment decision has a visible effect on the startup range. The 2026 FDD states that the investment necessary to begin operation of one facility ranges from $1,282,500 to $3,769,000 if equipment is financed. Current Item 7 data shows a broader overall investment range reaching $5,386,000.
Compare the cash required at opening with the long-term financing cost. A lower upfront requirement does not automatically mean a lower total cost after interest, fees, and future equipment obligations.
What Current Planet Fitness Franchise Data Says About Owners
The current operator profile provides more useful due-diligence information than anonymous success stories. Planet Fitness reported that, as of December 31, 2025, its 2,604 franchisee-owned clubs were operated by only 86 franchisee groups.
Multi-Unit Ownership Is The Norm
- Approximately 98% of franchised clubs were owned and operated by a franchisee group that owned at least three clubs.
- The largest franchisee owned 208 clubs at the end of 2025.
- 44% of franchisee groups owned 10 or more clubs.
This does not mean every new buyer must necessarily open the same number of locations. It does show that the existing Planet Fitness franchise system is heavily concentrated among multi-unit operators.
What Should You Verify Before Signing?
Use the FDD as the starting point for due diligence and compare its disclosures with the economics of your specific market.
| Issue | What To Verify |
|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Review Items 5 and 7 for franchise fees, construction, equipment, deposits, marketing, training, and additional funds. |
| Recurring Fees | Review Item 6 for royalty, advertising, technology, transfer, audit, and other recurring or conditional fees. |
| Financing | Review Item 10 and compare lender or equipment-financing terms with your available equity. |
| Revenue Expectations | Study Item 19 carefully and distinguish EFT revenue, EBITDA-style measures, and actual owner cash flow. |
| Franchisee Validation | Use Item 20 contact information to speak with existing and former franchisees about construction, staffing, site economics, support, and capital needs. |
Sources And Verification
- Planet Fitness Second Quarter 2026 Results — current club count, membership count, and 2026 national advertising contribution.
- Planet Fitness 2025 Form 10-K — royalty structure, marketing requirements, operator profile, equipment replacement, franchise model, and corporate-club financial benchmarks.
- Wisconsin DFI Active Franchise Registrations — current registration listing for Planet Fitness Franchising LLC.
- 2026 Planet Fitness FDD Cost Summary — Item 7 startup-cost categories and ranges.
- Planet Fitness 2026 FDD Listing — current FDD edition and equipment-financing investment range.
- 2026 FDD Financial Performance Analysis — franchised EFT-revenue reference data.
Frequently Asked Questions On How Much Does It Cost To Open A Planet Fitness
How Much Does It Cost To Open A Planet Fitness Franchise In 2026?
Current 2026 FDD data puts the estimated initial investment for one Planet Fitness facility at $1,282,500 to $5,386,000. The FDD separately states a $1,282,500 to $3,769,000 range when equipment is financed.
How Much Is The Planet Fitness Franchise Fee?
Current 2026 Item 7 data lists an initial franchise fee from $0 to $40,000. Current FDD analyses identify $40,000 as the standard initial fee, while certain franchise arrangements can have a $0 initial fee.
What Ongoing Fees Does Planet Fitness Charge?
The current U.S. royalty rate for new franchisees is 7% of monthly dues and annual membership fees. For 2026, Planet Fitness increased the national advertising contribution to 3% and reduced the local marketing requirement to 6%.
How Profitable Is A Planet Fitness Franchise?
Profit varies by location, rent, payroll, debt, maintenance, marketing, and other costs. A current 2026 FDD analysis reports median 2025 franchised EFT revenue of about $1,863,300, but revenue is not owner profit. Planet Fitness separately reported approximately $2.0 million AUV and a 35.3% royalty-adjusted four-wall Adjusted EBITDA margin for mature corporate-owned clubs in 2025 and said it believes average franchisee margins are generally in line. Those figures do not guarantee an individual franchise’s result.
Does Planet Fitness Finance Franchisees?
The 2026 FDD includes an investment scenario in which equipment is financed, but that should not be treated as a promise that Planet Fitness will provide the financing. Review Item 10 of the current FDD and confirm the source, terms, interest cost, guarantees, and obligations of any third-party financing before committing.
Is Planet Fitness Mainly A Multi-Unit Franchise?
Yes, the existing U.S.-led franchise system is heavily multi-unit. At December 31, 2025, approximately 98% of Planet Fitness franchise clubs were owned by franchisee groups operating at least three clubs.
How Many Planet Fitness Locations Are There?
Planet Fitness reported 2,930 clubs worldwide as of June 30, 2026, along with approximately 21.5 million members.
Conclusion
Opening a Planet Fitness franchise is a multimillion-dollar commitment. Current 2026 FDD data puts the estimated initial investment at $1,282,500 to $5,386,000, with the equipment-financed scenario ranging from $1,282,500 to $3,769,000. Before committing capital, obtain the current FDD and reconcile Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 19, and 20 with your specific site, lease, financing plan, and expected operating costs. A franchise attorney, accountant, and qualified financial adviser can help you evaluate the agreement and model the economics before you sign.
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