The vendor opportunity at Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym operates 182 US locations, split between 132 franchised and 50 company-owned units. The 2026 FDD reports franchised outlets declined 16.981% year over year, a contraction that still leaves a meaningful base of independently owned gyms subject to franchisor technology mandates. The brand is part of RSG Group, a strategic multi-brand fitness operator.
For software vendors, the addressable market is the 182-unit system. Franchisees control day-to-day purchasing within franchisor guardrails, while company-owned locations likely follow corporate procurement. The FDD's Item 19 includes a financial performance representation, but no cohort average is stated in the filing text provided.
Who controls software purchasing
Item 2 of the FDD names Danny Waggoner and Bradford Reynolds as Co-Chief Executive Officers, Jörg Fockenberg as Chief Development Officer and Vice President Strategy, Expansion & Franchise, Kevin R. Christie as Vice President of International Franchising, and Caroline Masullo as Senior Vice President of Marketing. For US software sales, the Co-CEOs and Chief Development Officer are the most relevant buying-center figures at HQ.
Franchisees must obtain the Gym Management System from an approved vendor, meaning the franchisor sets the standard and the approved-vendor list, while franchisees sign the license and service agreements. This creates a two-tier sales motion: win the franchisor designation, then support franchisee adoption.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required
Item 11 requires franchisees to obtain, maintain, and use the "Gym Management System" that Gold's Gym periodically specifies. The system must be acquired from an approved vendor, and the vendor's license and service agreements govern use and operations. The approved vendor has the contractual right and obligation to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and updates for the primary software and any hardware and accessories it sells.
If a franchisee participates in an optional Studio Program, they must subscribe to a software service offered by a designated supplier, currently charging $200 per month, to allow members to reserve and pay for classes online. The FDD names no other specific software systems in Items 11 or 8.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 establishes an approved-supplier model. Franchisees must purchase or lease products, equipment, materials, and supplies that meet Gold's Gym minimum standards and specifications, and if required, only from suppliers the franchisor designates or approves. Currently, purchases and leases from franchisor affiliates, approved suppliers, or according to system standards represent approximately 85% to 95% of total establishment purchases and about 75% of operating purchases.
Gold's Gym's affiliate GGM is an approved supplier of sportswear, novelties, and other branded merchandise. The franchisor administers a Global Vendor Program under which it approves and recommends suppliers for goods and services franchisees must buy or lease. Franchisees may propose a supplier for approval.
Initial franchise terms run 10 years. Renewal requires substantial compliance during the term, full compliance at renewal, meeting then-current standards, renovating or remodeling the facility to current standards or securing a substitute site, giving at least 12 months' notice, paying a renewal fee, and signing the then-current franchise agreement and general release. No additional renewal rights are granted.
How to read the Gold's Gym FDD
The embedded PDF below is Gold's Gym's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Item 8 covers supplier restrictions and the approved-supplier model. Item 11 sets technology requirements, including the Gym Management System mandate and the optional Studio Program software. Item 17 governs renewal, transfer, and termination. Item 19 contains the financial performance representation. For a ranked target list of franchise systems by software-sales fit, talk to FranCloud.
Ordinary royalty terms
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed.