Selling a Planet Fitness Franchise

Fitness Franchise Resale & M&A Advisory for Planet Fitness Owners

By Mercedes Shaffer, Managing Director | Highwater Partners

Selling a Planet Fitness franchise is a highly structured transaction that requires fitness-industry expertise, disciplined valuation, and national buyer exposure. Planet Fitness operates within a high-volume, low-price (HVLP) gym model where scale, membership density, and real estate economics are closely scrutinized by buyers, lenders, landlords, and the franchisor. Experienced M&A representation is essential to protect value and execute a successful transaction.

At Highwater Partners, we specialize in franchise resale and M&A advisory across fitness, wellness, health, and lifestyle sectors, representing Planet Fitness franchise owners nationwide. We advise owners on single-club sales, multi-unit portfolio exits, and strategic divestitures, delivering a professional, highly structured process designed to maximize value and reduce execution risk.

True to our name, Highwater Partners serves clients at the highest level, combining disciplined execution with senior-level advisory and deep respect for the responsibility of representing an owner’s business.

Why Selling a Planet Fitness Franchise Requires Specialized M&A Expertise

Planet Fitness franchise resales involve category-specific and operational considerations, including:

• Franchisor approval and formal transfer requirements

• Buyer net worth, liquidity, and multi-unit gym operating experience standards

• High-volume membership model and retention metrics

• Equipment ownership, refresh cycles, and capital expenditure planning

• Lease assignment, landlord consent, and large-format retail real estate economics

• Brand standards tied to layout, signage, and club experience

These factors directly affect valuation credibility, buyer qualification, financing, and transaction timelines. A general business broker may understand gyms—but a fitness franchise M&A advisor understands Planet Fitness.

How Planet Fitness Franchises Are Valued

Planet Fitness franchise valuations are driven by recurring membership revenue, scale efficiency, and real estate quality, not gross revenue alone.

Key valuation considerations include:

• Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) or EBITDA

• Active membership base and net membership growth

• Dues structure and ancillary revenue (e.g., Black Card® upgrades)

• Labor efficiency and staffing costs

• Equipment depreciation and capex requirements

• Lease terms, rent ratios, and remaining option periods

• Owner involvement versus professional management

• Brand compliance and reinvestment obligations

At Highwater Partners, we apply M&A-grade financial normalization and valuation methodologies, ensuring the business is positioned credibly for sophisticated buyers and lenders.

Who Is Buying Planet Fitness Franchises Today

Active buyers for Planet Fitness franchises include:

• Existing Planet Fitness franchisees expanding regionally

• Large multi-unit gym operators

• Private equity–backed fitness platforms

• Strategic buyers seeking scalable, cash-flowing fitness concepts

Importantly, Highwater Partners represents buyers across multiple franchise sectors, including restaurants, fitness, yoga, health and wellness, beauty, massage, and pet services. This cross-sector reach allows us to identify well-capitalized operators diversifying into fitness at scale.

National Exposure, Executed at the Highest Level

Highwater Partners is a national business brokerage and M&A advisory firm representing franchise owners across restaurants, wellness, fitness, beauty, and pet services. Led by a team of elite business brokers and franchise M&A professionals, the firm provides maximum listing exposure, disciplined valuation, and transaction management at the highest level.

Highwater Partners delivers broad, national exposure through:

• A proprietary database of 100,000+ qualified franchisees, fitness operators, and private equity investors

• A nationwide network of 110+ professional business brokers across the United States

• Cross-industry buyer outreach spanning restaurant, fitness, wellness, beauty, massage, and pet service sectors

• Professionally prepared marketing materials built for serious acquirers

Our approach delivers maximum listing exposure while maintaining discretion and professionalism appropriate for large-format gym transactions.

Why Planet Fitness Franchise Owners Choose Highwater Partners

Franchise owners choose Highwater Partners because we provide:

• Top-tier professionals with deep fitness and franchise M&A experience

• Brand-specific Planet Fitness resale expertise

• Institutional-quality valuation and transaction preparation

• Access to buyers across multiple franchise industries

• A service standard rooted in operating at the highest level

• Professional, discreet representation from start to close

We are trusted advisors to Planet Fitness franchise owners who value execution, integrity, and results.

Our Planet Fitness Franchise Resale Process

1. Confidential valuation and exit strategy planning

2. Professional CIM and fitness-focused deal preparation

3. National and cross-sector buyer exposure

4. Buyer qualification and franchisor coordination

5. Offer negotiation and transaction structuring

6. Transaction management through closing

Each step is designed to protect value, reduce execution risk, and respect the responsibility of representing your business.

When Is the Right Time to Sell a Planet Fitness Franchise?

The strongest outcomes typically occur when:

• Membership growth is stable or accelerating

• Equipment and facilities are well maintained

• Financials are clean and defensible

• Lease terms support buyer financing

• Buyer demand in the fitness sector is active

Preparation and representation often matter as much as timing.

Speak with a Fitness Franchise M&A Advisor

If you are considering selling your Planet Fitness franchise—now or in the future—begin with a confidential consultation.

Mercedes Shaffer

Managing Director | Highwater Partners

Call or text: 714.330.9999