Chuck Runyon: CEO of Anytime Fitness on how technology and empathy helped build Anytime Fitness

The Franchise Insiders "Inside Scoop" Podcast

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A small-town key and a big idea changed fitness forever. We’re sitting with Chuck Runyon, cofounder of Anytime Fitness and Purpose Brands, to trace the leap from oversized racquetball clubs to tech-enabled, 24/7 gyms that actually match how people train today. Chuck opens up about building with empathy for small business owners, why “health first, brand second” guides every decision, and how a relentless focus on unit-level performance fuels enduring growth.
We dig into the trends reshaping the industry: strength training as the foundation, recovery moving mainstream with saunas and red light, and the rise of personalization powered by wearables, biometrics, and smarter blood work. Chuck explains how human-plus-AI coaching can cut through wellness noise by turning data into plans people can follow, with accountability that comes from a coach’s hug, high five, or hard push. If you’ve wondered how to open strong, he breaks down the presales playbook, the non-negotiables in site selection, and the KPIs every operator must master—average member value, PT penetration, close rate, and engagement.
For investors and operators, we cover what makes a brand acquisition-ready: proof of concept, scalable economics, and international portability. Chuck shares how master franchises drive explosive global growth, why standardization matters with room for local flavor, and how private equity roll-ups can unlock faster expansion and cleaner exits. He’s candid about mistakes, proud of the culture that’s won best-place-to-work awards, and bullish on the next decade as fitness and medical care converge.
If you care about building durable franchises, picking winners in longevity and personal care, or just want a clearer roadmap to member outcomes that stick, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s eyeing their first franchise, and leave a review with the KPI you track first—we’ll feature the best insights on a future show.

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Chapters

1. Chuck Runyon: CEO of Anytime Fitness on how technology and empathy helped build Anytime Fitness (00:00:00)

2. Meet Chuck Runyon And Purpose Brands (00:00:42)

3. The Origin Of Anytime Fitness (00:03:05)

4. Tech-Enabled Access And Franchising Breakthrough (00:05:33)

5. Fitness Trends, Longevity, And Recovery (00:10:17)

6. Personalization, Wearables, And Preventative Care (00:14:50)

7. How Purpose Brands Evaluates Acquisitions (00:19:04)

8. KPIs And Coaching Franchisees To Win (00:21:50)

9. Transitioning From Corporate To Ownership (00:24:42)

10. Opening Playbook And Powerful Presales (00:28:33)

11. Resilience Through Cycles And Evolving Offerings (00:34:00)

12. Multi-Brand Ownership And Private Equity (00:38:41)

13. Rural Expansion And Standardization Lessons (00:42:26)

39 episodes

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