MEA Pilates has two franchises and plans three more studios

MEA Pilates has built a network of three studios in less than a year and is preparing to expand further. Franchise studios in Hlučín and Český Těšín have joined the original location in Havířov, in the Czech Republic. Vsetín, Kopřivnice and Čeladná are expected to follow in 2027. Alongside running her own studio, founder Adéla Martynková is developing the concept through female entrepreneurs who finance their franchise locations themselves.

From Havířov to other towns

According to an article published by CzechCrunch on 6 November 2026, less than a year had passed since the first MEA Pilates studio opened in Havířov. Yet the network already comprises three operating locations. Two are franchises, meaning franchised studios now outnumber the founder’s original studio.

The first franchise opened in May 2026, followed by the second in late September or early October. These new locations are in Hlučín and Český Těšín. For those considering the Czech franchise market, the key point is that the brand has moved beyond simply offering a licence: it has two franchise studios up and running.

According to the November report, three more locations are expected to open after the New Year, in 2027. The brand names Vsetín, Kopřivnice and Čeladná as its next destinations. These remain planned openings and are not included in the current studio count. If all three go ahead, the network would grow from three to six locations. The article does not give precise opening dates.

The founder’s studio provides the blueprint

Martynková originally intended to fund the Havířov studio with proceeds from the sale of her online shop. According to CzechCrunch, however, she did not receive the payment and borrowed money to get the project off the ground. What began as a standalone venture subsequently became a blueprint for other female entrepreneurs.

The Havířov studio provided the basis for the franchise locations. The founder worked with both franchisees to choose their locations, helped with fitting out the premises and arranged the supply of her own reformers — equipment used for Pilates exercises. The support described therefore covered practical steps in setting up a studio, rather than simply granting the right to use the brand.

Prospective franchisees should distinguish between support with opening and funding the business itself. According to the article, MEA Pilates franchisees pay for their studios themselves. The founder’s help with location selection, fit-out and equipment does not mean she covers their investment.

The Havířov blueprint also extends to the choice of materials. The report says that all locations use the lower-cost flooring Martynková selected for her own studio. This is a concrete example of a practical choice being replicated across franchise studios, but it does not in itself indicate their revenue or profitability.

Set-up costs of roughly CZK 2 million or less

CzechCrunch reports that the entrepreneurs who bought a franchise licence from Martynková have been able to set up their studios for roughly CZK 2 million or less. This gives an indicative sense of the investment required for the franchise projects completed so far. It should not, however, be treated as a fixed price for any future studio.

The figure does not reveal the cost of the licence itself or provide a detailed breakdown of the investment. Before deciding to join the network, prospective franchisees should therefore request a budget for their chosen location and clarification of what the quoted amount includes. The working capital needed to get the business established is a separate consideration.

It is also essential to distinguish between the cost of opening a studio and its financial performance. Set-up costs do not show how quickly the investment will be recovered. The published account of MEA Pilates does not contain enough information to calculate a reliable payback period for its franchise studios.

The original studio still drives turnover

According to the founder, MEA Pilates generated turnover of around CZK 6 million in less than a year. Approximately CZK 5 million of that came from Havířov. These are figures attributed to Martynková by CzechCrunch, not profit figures or an indication of how a typical franchise studio performs.

When interpreting these numbers, it is important to account for how long each studio has been operating. The franchise locations opened only in May and in late September or early October, while Havířov was the network’s starting point. The company’s total turnover is therefore no substitute for the franchisees’ individual financial results.

Practical takeaway: MEA Pilates already has two operating franchises and plans further growth. Before committing, prospective franchisees should verify the full budget, the scope of support and the performance of individual franchise studios, rather than relying solely on turnover from the original Havířov location.