in memoriam
Planet Fitness Celebrates the Life of Denis Rondeau
2020 Issue 4 | GearedUp
In October , the Planet Fitness ® family experienced the loss of Denis Rondeau . Denis was a long-time Planet Fitness franchisee , and the father of CEO Chris Rondeau . Denis embodied the entrepreneurial spirit of the American dream . As a city kid in Massachusetts , he worked as a paper boy and milk man . He never finished high school , but he became the owner of a handful of Freedom Drug pharmacies across New England . From there , he built a new pharmacy business . Denis was a firm believer in the benefits of hard work , perseverance and dedication , often telling his son , Chris , “ You can do anything you set your mind to .” Denis became a PF ® franchisee in 2007 and eventually became the owner and operator of eight stores in North Carolina . He sold these clubs in 2017 .
Denis is greatly missed by the Planet Fitness community . He was known for his energy and his compassion , and he was extremely proud of his family – he had eight children and many more grandchildren .
“ When I first met Denis , he didn ’ t tell me that he was Chris ’ s dad . He didn ’ t want to be known as Chris ’ s dad – he wanted to be known as a franchisee like everyone else . We talked about watches , and then boats , and business itself . We sat there and talked for about an hour before he told me who he was . He said something about his son , and so I asked who his son was , and he said , ‘ Chris – Chris Rondeau .’ He was always an independent thinker – a great guy , great business person , great person to talk to about the history of business . When he was at an event , he was someone you would look out for so you could say hello . He was a gracious guy and very well-respected .”
– CJ Bouchard
“ My background for the past 30-plus years has been as a pharmacist . My partner and I were the owners of Thriftway Pharmacy , the number one independent pharmacy chain in New York . While having dinner at a pharmaceutical convention we were attending about 25 years ago , my senior partner introduced me to Denis Rondeau . Denis owned pharmacies in by Kate Betts
New Hampshire . Who knew that years later , when my personal trainer suggested I look into investing in Planet Fitness gyms , our paths would cross again and he would change my life forever ?
In 2008 , I was looking for my next investment , and my personal trainer pointed me toward Planet Fitness gyms . When I began to look into the company and its history , I realized that it was Denis ’ son , Chris , who started Planet Fitness . It was at that point that I decided to call Denis . He gave me important and insightful advice as to how to be an absentee owner and how to employ managers and staff I trusted to run the gyms . He said the Planet Fitness model was very profitable . This further encouraged me to invest in Planet Fitness . I sent my personal trainer to a Planet Fitness Indiana Career Day , and it was then , over the phone , that I committed to fifteen Planet Fitness gyms in Indianapolis . The Baker Group has since expanded to Ohio and Tennessee , and we have opened 19 ( soon to be 20 !) locations .
I want to sincerely thank you , Denis Rondeau . Your insight , advice and guidance has changed my life forever . May you rest in peace !” --Robert Baker
“ I first met Denis at a PF conference . After I was on stage and had said positive words about Chris , he approached me and said , ‘ Thank you for that . Anyone who has my son ’ s back , I have their back .’
We became
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