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East Coast, Midwest Fitness Brands Form Nationwide Franchise Group
The founders of The Max Challenge and Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping have formed an umbrella company to bolster support to franchisees
The Max Challenge and Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping have joined forces under Fit Franchise Brands, a newly launched New Jersey-based fitness franchising organization designed to support its franchisees and serve 30,000-plus members across 87 locations and 14 states.
Bryan Klein, CEO of Fit Franchise Brands and founder of The Max Challenge, announced the merger and the newly formed Fit Franchise Brands on LinkedIn, sharing a video explaining the benefits for its current franchise owners: a network of franchisees offering more opportunities to collaborate, a franchisee support team and additional resources.
“Many years ago, Lance Farrell, founder of Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping, and I began meeting monthly to share successes, ideas, and strategies,” Klein said. “Through those meetings, we began to develop a deep respect for each other, not just as individuals, but for each other’s brands. We realized that the similarities between our companies extended far beyond just what we saw on the surface.”
“Now, as Fit Franchise Brands, our unwavering commitment is to equip our franchisees with the essential tools, resources and guidance required for unparalleled success,” Klein added.
The Max Challenge, founded in 2011, offers 10-week fitness programs combining workout classes, nutrition counseling and support. The training concept began franchising in 2013 and has locations in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida.
Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping, which began franchising in 2007, is a group fitness program founded in martial arts philosophies, offering instructor-led kickboxing and strength training workouts combining nutrition and accountability. It has locations in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Wisconsin and Arizona.
Farrell, who will serve as president of Fit Franchise Brands, emphasized the “massive benefit” of collaborating with Klein over the years on ways to support their franchise owners and added that it inspired the two to unite both brands.
Under Klein and Farrell’s leadership at Fit Franchise Brands is a team of nearly 20 franchise professionals.
“The power of our combined leadership and support teams will undoubtedly become a force for providing an expanded wealth of knowledge, experience and support for both brands,” Farrell said.
Courtney Rehfeldt has worked in the broadcasting media industry since 2007 and has freelanced since 2012. Her work has been featured in Age of Awareness, Times Beacon Record, The New York Times, and she has an upcoming piece in Slate. She studied yoga & meditation under Beryl Bender Birch at The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute. She enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and is an avid reader. Courtney has a BA in Media & Communications studies.