Anytime Fitness vs Planet Fitness: 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
PF

Planet Fitness

Fitness & Health
$1.5M – $4.9M
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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 ($3.9M less) vs Planet Fitness.
Fee Burden
Anytime Fitness wins on royalty rate (2.0% lower) vs Planet Fitness.
Unit Count
Anytime Fitness wins on total units (2,500 more) vs Planet Fitness.
Satisfaction
Planet Fitness wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Anytime Fitness.

Investment & Fees

Metric Anytime Fitness Planet Fitness
Min Investment $398K $1.5M
Max Investment $974K $4.9M
Franchise Fee $43K $20K
Royalty Rate 5.0% 7.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% 7.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Anytime Fitness Planet Fitness
Avg Unit Revenue $650K $2.5M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Anytime Fitness Planet Fitness
Total Units 5,000 2,500
Annual Growth 1.0% 6.0%
Failure Rate 4.0% 1.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Anytime Fitness Planet Fitness
Franchisee Satisfaction 71/100 82/100

Track Record

Metric Anytime Fitness Planet Fitness
Years in Business 22 32
Years Franchising 22 22

Financial Requirements

Metric Anytime Fitness Planet Fitness
Min Net Worth Required $300K $3.0M
Liquid Capital Required $100K $1.5M

Operations

Metric Anytime Fitness Planet Fitness
Avg Employees 6 20
Training Weeks 2 4

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anytime Fitness or Planet Fitness 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. Planet Fitness has 2,500 total units and a 82/100 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 Planet Fitness franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Planet Fitness franchise requires an initial investment of $1.5M – $4.9M. The franchise fee is $20K, with ongoing royalties of 7.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Anytime Fitness vs Planet Fitness?

Anytime Fitness's royalty rate is 5.0%. Planet Fitness's royalty rate is 7.0%. That means Anytime Fitness has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Anytime Fitness or Planet Fitness?

Anytime Fitness has 5,000 total units. Planet Fitness has 2,500 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Anytime Fitness or Planet Fitness semi-absentee friendly?

Anytime Fitness is typically run as a semi-absentee model. Planet Fitness 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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