Geared Up Issue 1 2018 | Page 9

Around 50 people attended the grand opening of the Milford, Michigan, Planet Fitness location this past year. Special promo- tions and PF Black Card memberships were offered to guests, as well as a chance to win a 43-inch TV. Coffee and pizza were provided through local businesses, and the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce was in attendance. During the grand opening, PF Michigan Group, LLC was presented with a legislative tribute plaque that had been signed by a local representative and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. Company: Planet Fitness Growth Partners, LLC Franchisees: Victor and Lynne Brick Number of locations: 57 Location of new club: Loch Raven/Towson, Maryland Square footage: 18,600 Company: United PF Partners, LLC Franchisee: Trey Owen Number of locations: 85 Location of new club: Ruston, Louisiana; Shawnee, Oklahoma; Bessemer, Alabama; Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Houma, Louisiana; Covington, Louisiana; Overland Park (Quivira), Kansas Square footage: 18,000; 15,000; 23,000; 23,500; 25,300; 28,000; 18,000, respectively Company: PF Michigan Group, LLC Franchisees: Bryan and Laura Rief, Pete Hopkins Number of locations: 39 Location of new club: Milford, Michigan This past year, United PF Partners, LLC added several new locations to their group. Seven new clubs in five different states celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon- cutting celebration. Check donations of $5,000 were made to the local Boys & Girls Clubs at the Shawnee, Oklahoma, and Ruston, Louisiana, grand openings. Company: Impact Fitness Franchisee: Chris Klebba Number of locations: 21 Location of new club: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada Square footage: 15,704 Impact Fitness opened their first PF location in Canada this past year. Equipped with catering by local Indian and Asian restaurants, Planet Fitness cupcakes and a workout session hosted by Danni Allen, winner of “The Biggest Loser,” the grand-opening celebration was a huge success. The local Boys & Girls Club joined in on the celebration, and guests were able to enter to win a six-month, free BC membership. Although the grand opening was successful, there were some challenges with opening the location. “Everything operates a little differently in Canada than it does in the states,” said Sarah Hawkins, marketing manager with Impact Fitness. Continued on page 8 Late last year, Planet Fitness Growth Partners, LLC opened its newest location in Maryland right beside franchisee Dan Horan’s PF, but instead of becoming competitors, the two decided to partner up. “We partnered with Dan Horan on this site even though it was fully in our ADA because we thought it was the right thing to do,” said Victor Brick, franchisee with PFGP. “This site was ideal for a Planet Fitness, but Dan had a new club barely two miles away. Now, we are partners instead of competitors.” The grand opening consisted of champagne, a speech by Lynne Brick, a ribbon cutting, blessings by the local pastor and a spin class taught by Lynne while in her formal gown. “Grand openings are a time to celebrate the club’s success with the members, the staff and the community,” said Brick. “We try to make sure all grand openings – and we have conducted 57 of them – are WHIM (world-class, humorous, inspirational and memorable). We believe they are great for morale and culture, and we believe culture eats strategy for breakfast.” 7