Anytime Fitness vs Massage Envy: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Fitness & Health Real Data Not Investment Advice
AF

Anytime Fitness

Fitness & Health
$398K – $974K
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VS
ME

Massage Envy

Fitness & Health
$575K – $1.1M
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Anytime Fitness wins on investment range ($156K less) vs Massage Envy.
Fee Burden
Anytime Fitness wins on royalty rate (1.0% lower) vs Massage Envy.
Unit Count
Anytime Fitness wins on total units (3,850 more) vs Massage Envy.
Satisfaction
Anytime Fitness wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Massage Envy.

Investment & Fees

Metric Anytime Fitness Massage Envy
Min Investment $398K $575K
Max Investment $974K $1.1M
Franchise Fee $43K $60K
Royalty Rate 5.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% 2.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Anytime Fitness Massage Envy
Avg Unit Revenue $650K $1.2M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Anytime Fitness Massage Envy
Total Units 5,000 1,150
Annual Growth 1.0% -1.0%
Failure Rate 4.0% 4.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Anytime Fitness Massage Envy
Franchisee Satisfaction 71/100 62/100

Track Record

Metric Anytime Fitness Massage Envy
Years in Business 22 22
Years Franchising 22 21

Financial Requirements

Metric Anytime Fitness Massage Envy
Min Net Worth Required $300K $500K
Liquid Capital Required $100K $200K

Operations

Metric Anytime Fitness Massage Envy
Avg Employees 6 20
Training Weeks 2 4

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anytime Fitness or Massage Envy a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Anytime Fitness has 5,000 total units and a 71/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Massage Envy has 1,150 total units and a 62/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Anytime Fitness franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Anytime Fitness franchise requires an initial investment of $398K – $974K. The franchise fee is $43K, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Massage Envy franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Massage Envy franchise requires an initial investment of $575K – $1.1M. The franchise fee is $60K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Anytime Fitness vs Massage Envy?

Anytime Fitness's royalty rate is 5.0%. Massage Envy's royalty rate is 6.0%. That means Anytime Fitness has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Anytime Fitness or Massage Envy?

Anytime Fitness has 5,000 total units. Massage Envy has 1,150 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Anytime Fitness or Massage Envy semi-absentee friendly?

Anytime Fitness is typically run as a semi-absentee model. Massage Envy is typically run as a semi-absentee model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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