Athletic Republic vs Powerhouse Gyms
Athletic Republic vs Powerhouse Gyms: Athletic Republic costs $300K–$674K to open; Powerhouse Gyms costs $48K–$788K. Athletic Republic has 56 units, Powerhouse Gyms has 34. SBA loan history: Athletic Republic = 16 loans (0.0% default); Powerhouse Gyms = 33 loans (15.2% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Athletic Republic vs Powerhouse Gyms — Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan-level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Powerhouse Gyms requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($48K vs $300K for Athletic Republic), a 525% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $55K for Athletic Republic versus $26K for Powerhouse Gyms — Powerhouse Gyms has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Athletic Republic operates 56 units to Powerhouse Gyms's 34.
SBA Lending Profile
Powerhouse Gyms has the deeper SBA lending track record with 33 historical 7(a) approvals versus 16 for Athletic Republic.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Athletic Republic and 15.2% for Powerhouse Gyms — Athletic Republic has the cleaner historical loss profile by 15.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 62 (Moderate) for Athletic Republic and 27 (Fair) for Powerhouse Gyms, giving Athletic Republic the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 62/100 | 27/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 16 | 33 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 15.2% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $300K – $674K | $48K – $788K |
Franchise Fee | $55K | $26K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $500K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 56 | 34 |
Franchised Units | 41 | 34 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 11 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1990 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 2005 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 21 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Park City, UT | St Clair Shores, MI |
Category | Sports | Sports |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better — Athletic Republic or Powerhouse Gyms?
Lower upfront capital required
Powerhouse Gyms
Athletic Republic: $300K starting · Powerhouse Gyms: $48K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Powerhouse Gyms
Athletic Republic: 16 SBA loans · Powerhouse Gyms: 33 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Athletic Republic
Athletic Republic: 0.0% · Powerhouse Gyms: 15.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Athletic Republic
Athletic Republic: 56 units · Powerhouse Gyms: 34 units
More lender financing options
Powerhouse Gyms
Athletic Republic: 9 unique lenders · Powerhouse Gyms: 23 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation — your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Athletic Republic vs Powerhouse Gyms: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Athletic Republic and Powerhouse Gyms is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $48K to $788K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Athletic Republic with 16 SBA loans and Powerhouse Gyms with 33. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands — not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice — consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.