Basic-Fit plans to launch franchise offering before the end of 2026

Basic-Fit plans to launch a franchise offering under its own brand before the end of 2026. The announcement accompanies its results for the first nine months of the year, published on 22 October. For those interested in the French franchise market, where the brand has 901 company-owned gyms, the project is worth watching, although its geographical scope has yet to be confirmed.

A new step for the Basic-Fit brand

The group describes franchising as a capital-light pillar of its medium-term growth. The announced deadline specifically concerns the launch of an offering under the Basic-Fit brand, rather than simply the continued expansion of its existing franchise operations.

The distinction matters: Basic-Fit already has a franchise network through Clever Fit, whose acquisition was completed in November 2025. The offering expected before the end of the year would therefore mark a further step in the group's use of franchising.

At this stage, the announcement sets a timetable but does not confirm that franchise applications will open in France in 2026. Nor does it specify the financial terms, the franchisee profiles sought or the territories covered. Anyone considering a franchise in France should therefore distinguish between the group's announced plans and an offering that is actually available locally.

France has 901 company-owned gyms

At the end of September 2026, Basic-Fit's French portfolio comprised 901 company-owned gyms, seven more than at the start of the year. This figure refers to the company-owned network, not franchised locations.

France therefore plays a significant role in the group's directly operated business. By comparison, its company-owned portfolio includes 246 gyms in Spain, 242 in Belgium and 250 in the Netherlands. Since the start of the year, these portfolios have grown by 16, six and four gyms respectively.

According to chief executive René Moos, France and Spain made a particularly strong contribution to the increase in average membership per gym. This offers an insight into trading momentum in France, but does not provide detailed results for individual locations or a profitability forecast for future franchisees.

An existing franchise network through Clever Fit

Across all brands, the group had 2,246 gyms at the end of September, 95 more than at the end of 2025. This total comprises 1,809 company-owned gyms and 437 franchised gyms. The company-owned portfolio increased by 156 locations year on year.

Franchise revenue reached €16.5 million in the first nine months of 2026. This revenue comes from the Clever Fit network. It should therefore not be interpreted as initial revenue from Basic-Fit-branded franchises, whose launch remains scheduled for the end of the year.

These figures put the project into context: the group already operates a franchise business, but now intends to offer this expansion model under another of its brands. Prospective franchisees will need to understand the specific features of the new offering, rather than assume that Clever Fit's terms and model will apply.

An announcement backed by business growth

Basic-Fit's revenue reached €1.217 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 18%. The group reaffirmed all its full-year targets and said it had already reached its target of around 50 net openings under the Basic-Fit brand.

Memberships at company-owned gyms rose by 15% year on year, compared with 9% growth in the portfolio. Average membership per company-owned Basic-Fit gym increased from 2,902 at the start of the year to 3,035 at the end of September. Management sees this as progress towards its medium-term target of 3,200 members per gym.

Key takeaway for prospective franchisees: keep an eye on the launch details of the Basic-Fit offering, particularly whether it will be available in France. The performance of the company-owned network provides useful context, but is no substitute for assessing the contractual terms and financial fundamentals of a future franchise.