Basic-Fit plans franchise launch before the end of 2026

Basic-Fit is preparing to enter the franchise market, with plans to launch its own franchise offering before the end of 2026. At the same time, the fitness chain is expanding its company-operated network in Germany. For those considering the German franchise market, these are two distinct developments: the planned opening to independent partners and the growth of the company's own gyms.

Franchise offering due to launch before year-end

According to a report published by aktiencheck on 21 October 2026, Basic-Fit is working on a franchise offering alongside its efforts to grow membership. Citing a report in De Telegraaf, it says the search for independent franchisees is due to begin in the autumn. The company's own franchise offering is scheduled to launch before the end of the year.

This points to an extension of its existing business model. Prospective franchisees should, however, distinguish between an announced offering and a franchise-operated gym that has actually opened. The timetable describes preparations for the franchise business and the planned search for partners. It does not yet establish that a specific franchise opening is planned in Germany.

The geographical scope also deserves attention. The report presents the franchise initiative alongside the German expansion plans. This does not automatically mean that every stage of the announced franchise launch has already been confirmed for Germany. Before deciding whether to invest, prospective partners would therefore need to establish which offerings actually apply to German locations and when applications will open.

Germany: 127 company-owned gyms, with a target of 200

According to the report, Basic-Fit has 127 company-owned gyms in Germany. Its initial target is to reach 200 locations under its own brand in the country. Expanding the German network therefore remains a separate priority alongside preparations for franchising.

The company also needs to integrate acquired businesses: the conversion of 49 acquired German clubs is planned for early 2027. This conversion should be distinguished from the recruitment of new franchisees. It concerns locations that have already been acquired and should not be read as an announcement of 49 franchise openings.

Nor should the figures simply be added together. The numbers for company-owned gyms, the target network size and acquired clubs describe different aspects of the expansion. They do not provide a reliable timetable for reaching 200 German locations. What is clear is that Basic-Fit is pursuing several tasks in parallel: expanding its German network, converting acquired clubs and extending its business model to include franchising.

This distinction has practical implications for potential partners. A company-operated location, a club being converted following an acquisition and a future franchise-operated gym each represent a different starting point for business planning.

Growth across the existing network provides the backdrop

The franchise plans come at a time of rising revenue. In the third quarter of 2026, Basic-Fit generated revenue of €417 million, an increase of 17% on the same period a year earlier. According to aktiencheck, the quarterly update published on 21 October also shows growth across the existing club network and higher revenue per member.

At the end of September, a company-owned Basic-Fit club had an average of 3,035 members. This brings the company closer to its medium-term capacity utilisation target. Nevertheless, the report says there was no further increase in its full-year guidance.

These figures provide the financial backdrop to the announced expansion. They are not, however, an earnings forecast for future franchisees. Neither the reported quarterly revenue nor the average membership figure can be applied directly to an individual German franchise business. In particular, the membership figure is an average for a company-owned Basic-Fit club, not a guaranteed level for a new location.

What prospective franchisees should look out for

For those interested in franchising in Germany, the main new development is the planned opening to independent operators. Anyone considering joining the network should therefore look beyond its existing size and assess the specific franchise offering once it becomes available in their intended market.

The due diligence checklist should include the investment required, ongoing payments, the division of responsibilities between head office and the franchisee, and site requirements. It would also be important to establish whether an offering involves setting up a new club or taking over an existing business. These are questions for prospective partners to investigate, not confirmed features of the announced model.

Practical takeaway: Basic-Fit plans to launch its franchise offering before the end of 2026, while its German operations remain focused on company-owned gyms and the integration of acquired clubs. Prospective franchisees should assess any opportunity only once a specific offering applicable to Germany is available, supported by a site-specific financial feasibility assessment.