Orangetheory 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
OF

Orangetheory Fitness

Fitness & Health
$560K – $1.6M
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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
Orangetheory Fitness wins on investment range ($3.3M less) vs Planet Fitness.
Fee Burden
Planet Fitness wins on royalty rate (1.0% lower) vs Orangetheory Fitness.
Unit Count
Planet Fitness wins on total units (1,000 more) vs Orangetheory Fitness.
Satisfaction
Planet Fitness wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Orangetheory Fitness.

Investment & Fees

Metric Orangetheory Fitness Planet Fitness
Min Investment $560K $1.5M
Max Investment $1.6M $4.9M
Franchise Fee $60K $20K
Royalty Rate 8.0% 7.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% 7.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Orangetheory Fitness Planet Fitness
Avg Unit Revenue $1.3M $2.5M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Orangetheory Fitness Planet Fitness
Total Units 1,500 2,500
Annual Growth 3.5% 6.0%
Failure Rate 2.5% 1.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Orangetheory Fitness Planet Fitness
Franchisee Satisfaction 76/100 82/100

Track Record

Metric Orangetheory Fitness Planet Fitness
Years in Business 14 32
Years Franchising 12 22

Financial Requirements

Metric Orangetheory Fitness Planet Fitness
Min Net Worth Required $1.0M $3.0M
Liquid Capital Required $500K $1.5M

Operations

Metric Orangetheory Fitness Planet Fitness
Avg Employees 12 20
Training Weeks 4 4

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orangetheory Fitness or Planet Fitness a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Orangetheory Fitness has 1,500 total units and a 76/100 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 Orangetheory Fitness franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Orangetheory Fitness franchise requires an initial investment of $560K – $1.6M. The franchise fee is $60K, with ongoing royalties of 8.0%. 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 Orangetheory Fitness vs Planet Fitness?

Orangetheory Fitness's royalty rate is 8.0%. Planet Fitness's royalty rate is 7.0%. That means Planet Fitness has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Orangetheory Fitness or Planet Fitness?

Orangetheory Fitness has 1,500 total units. Planet Fitness has 2,500 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Orangetheory Fitness or Planet Fitness semi-absentee friendly?

Orangetheory 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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