COLTS NECK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For Retro Fitness, membership rates aren’t the only thing that’s “retro.” The leading national low-cost, high-value fitness chain announced today that New Kids On The Block front man Jordan Knight has signed a franchise agreement to convert his existing Cranston, R.I. gym, Fit World, into a Retro Fitness.
Knight opened his first health club in 1995 in Cranston and moved the facility in 2008, rebranding it as Fit World. Converting the facility into a Retro Fitness allows Knight to bring a whole new energy into the club and increase value for members. After the transformation is completed, he plans to continue growing the Retro Fitness brand with new locations in Massachusetts.
“I wanted to revitalize my club with a fresh, new vibe, but knew I couldn’t do it on my own. I needed the backing of a franchise with a wealth of industry experience to support my plans for Fit World,” Knight said. “Retro Fitness has the expertise and proven business model I’m looking for to take my gym the next level. Their concept aligns with the vision I had in mind for Fit World’s future, and the passion driving the brand’s growth is incredible.”
With the conversion into a Retro Fitness, members can expect new amenities like the brand’s popular Retro Theater that houses a variety of cardio equipment instead of seats and plays movies on a large screen throughout the day. Knight also plans to add a functional training area and Retro Blends Smoothie Bar, in addition to enhancing the personal training program. The gym will soon undergo renovations to accommodate the new features and will be rebranded to the franchise’s signature red and yellow color scheme. All told, Knight expects the full conversion to be completed by spring 2015.
Other amenities that will still be available to members include group fitness classes, full-service locker rooms, a supervised children’s playroom and the latest in tanning technology. Beyond physical changes at the location, Knight will be changing the membership rates to align with the franchise’s standard offering – all current members’ rates will become a flat rate of $19.99 per month with the option of upgrading to the $29.99 per month package, which includes unlimited access to tanning, group fitness classes and the children’s playroom.
“Our franchise system is made up of an eclectic group of people, from Wall Street investors and professional athletes to those simply looking for a new direction in their careers, but an award winning, singer and performer is a first for our brand,” stated Retro Fitness CEO and founder Eric Casaburi. “We’re super pumped to have Jordan join our team. His drive and commitment to his gym and musical career are proof that he has what it takes to be successful in our franchise. He’s got a great foundation with Fit World, and we’re confident that bringing Retro Fitness into the club will considerably increase the value for him and members alike.”
The Cranston gym is located at 30 Kenney Drive and can be reached at (401) 464-4055.
About Retro Fitness
Founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Eric Casaburi, Retro Fitness has evolved from a regional Northeast gym concept into a national fitness system with more than 120 gyms open in 15 states. Under Casaburi’s leadership, Retro Fitness is expanding its footprint with more than 100 gyms in its development pipeline and plans to open 200 gyms in the next two years in new, major markets, such as Florida, Illinois, California, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Each Retro Fitness location is equipped with a full-service fitness center, including 60-100 pieces of equipment supplied by leading manufacturers. The burgeoning franchise has placed in the top 300 of Entrepreneur’s magazine’s prestigious Franchise 500 list for five consecutive years. For more information, please visit www.retrofitness.com, and to learn more about franchise opportunities visit www.retrofranchising.com.
