F45 Training vs KidStrong: 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 Children's Education & Enrichment Real Data Not Investment Advice
FT

F45 Training

Fitness & Health
$300K – $700K
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VS
K

KidStrong

Children's Education & Enrichment
$342K – $691K
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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
KidStrong wins on investment range ($9K less) vs F45 Training.
Fee Burden
F45 Training wins on royalty rate (0.5% lower) vs KidStrong.
Unit Count
F45 Training wins on total units (1,510 more) vs KidStrong.
Satisfaction
F45 Training has available Franchisee Satisfaction data; KidStrong does not.

Detailed Analysis: F45 Training vs KidStrong

Choosing between F45 Training and KidStrong comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. F45 Training operates in Fitness & Health while KidStrong is in Children's Education & Enrichment. Cross-industry comparisons are valuable when you're evaluating which business model best fits your skills and lifestyle.

From a capital perspective, F45 Training has a lower entry point. However, initial investment alone doesn't determine ROI — ongoing royalties, revenue potential, and failure rates all factor into long-term returns. F45 Training charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket.

Before committing to either franchise, we recommend running both through our Financial Model tool to project personalized 5-year P&L scenarios. You should also review each franchise's complete Franchise Disclosure Document using our FDD Checker to understand litigation history, termination rates, and territory restrictions.

Investment & Fees

Metric F45 Training KidStrong
Min Investment $300K $342K
Max Investment $700K $691K
Franchise Fee $50K $40K
Royalty Rate 7.0% 7.5%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% N/A

Unit Economics

Metric F45 Training KidStrong
Avg Unit Revenue $550K N/A
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric F45 Training KidStrong
Total Units 1,700 190
Annual Growth 3.0% 35.0%
Failure Rate 7.0% N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric F45 Training KidStrong
Franchisee Satisfaction 60/100 N/A

Track Record

Metric F45 Training KidStrong
Years in Business 11 N/A
Years Franchising 8 N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric F45 Training KidStrong
Min Net Worth Required $500K N/A
Liquid Capital Required $200K N/A

Operations

Metric F45 Training KidStrong
Avg Employees 8 N/A
Training Weeks 2 N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is F45 Training or KidStrong a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. F45 Training has 1,700 total units and a 60/100 franchisee satisfaction score. KidStrong has 190 total units and a track record in its industry. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a F45 Training franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a F45 Training franchise requires an initial investment of $300K – $700K. The franchise fee is $50K, with ongoing royalties of 7.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a KidStrong franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a KidStrong franchise requires an initial investment of $342K – $691K. The franchise fee is $40K, with ongoing royalties of 7.5%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for F45 Training vs KidStrong?

F45 Training's royalty rate is 7.0%. KidStrong's royalty rate is 7.5%. That means F45 Training has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — F45 Training or KidStrong?

F45 Training has 1,700 total units. KidStrong has 190 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is F45 Training or KidStrong semi-absentee friendly?

F45 Training is typically run as a semi-absentee model. KidStrong is typically run as a owner-operator 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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