Building a Strong Fitness Franchise: Insights from Workout Anytime’s New Leadership
As the fitness industry is projected to reach $60 billion in expenditure in 2026, Workout Anytime is strategically positioning itself for growth and success. The appointment of Tim Hicks as Vice President of Franchise Development marks a significant step towards enhancing the brand’s franchise growth strategy.
In his new role, Hicks will focus on developing an effective franchise strategy, identifying the right franchise partners, optimizing real estate selection, and creating systems that pave the way for robust growth in both new and established markets.
Meet Tim Hicks
- With over 20 years of experience, Hicks is an accomplished franchisee and executive specializing in franchise strategy, operations, and growth.
- He boasts considerable expertise in scaling franchise networks while ensuring operational consistency and providing strong support for franchisees, with prior initiatives spanning multiple lifestyle and fitness brands.
- His experience includes working in investor-backed growth environments, where collaboration with leadership teams was essential for driving expansion and operational alignment.
- Having been a franchisee himself, Hicks combines insights from both franchisee and franchisor perspectives, ready to accelerate Workout Anytime’s growth with renewed focus and energy.
Hicks expressed his enthusiasm: “Workout Anytime strikes a balance between what operators desire and what investors seek. Our model is straightforward, with strong margins, predictable execution, and genuine scalability. I am eager to contribute to the team, aligning franchisee success with long-term growth for the platform.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Workout Anytime is stepping into a transformative phase under new leadership that values franchisee experience. In April 2025, Jerry Pugh, a significant franchisee, was appointed CEO, emphasizing a franchisee-first mentality.
Together, Pugh and Hicks share a vision for expanding Workout Anytime’s network thoughtfully, while continuously supporting existing franchisees. Their strategy encourages current owners to grow through additional unit development and acquisitions, which may include converting other fitness locations to the Workout Anytime model.
“Tim possesses a unique blend of franchise sales, operational expertise, and brand leadership,” remarked Pugh. “His commitment to authenticity and franchisee success will be instrumental in shaping our growth and the relationships we build.”
In conclusion, as Workout Anytime embarks on this new chapter, the leadership team aims to leverage their extensive knowledge to create opportunities for both new and existing franchisees. This focus on strategic growth will not only benefit the franchise network but also contribute to the overall evolution of the fitness industry.
Stay tuned as Workout Anytime transforms the fitness landscape through innovation, support, and a commitment to excellence.
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