Pepper Boxing

Pepper Boxing is a cardio boxing fitness franchise founded in 2016 by Alexander "Pepper" Kaufman. Kaufman has more than two decades of boxing experience and spent a decade as a top producing personal trainer in New York City. The company is privately held and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with its corporate office at 925 Battery Ave Southeast, Unit 1150, Atlanta, GA 30339. Its motto is "The Goal Is Always More, Not Less." The first location opened in Nashville, TN, in June 2017, followed by The Battery location in Atlanta in June 2019. Pepper Boxing is transitioning to a franchise model. PeerSense database data shows 2 franchised units and 0 company owned units, for 2 total units in the franchise system. Web research identifies studios in Buckhead, Midtown, and Perimeter, also known as The Battery, within the Atlanta metropolitan area. The company aims to become a nationally recognized fitness brand.

PeerSense categorizes Pepper Boxing under Limited Service Restaurants, although its operating model is specialized group fitness. The global limited service restaurant market, including quick service and fast casual concepts, was estimated at $871.02 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a 5.7% compound annual growth rate to approximately $1.436 trillion by 2034. The United States market was estimated at $97.85 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $133.71 billion by 2030 at a 6.45% compound annual growth rate, with more than 159,000 locations in 2025. Pepper Boxing more directly serves the United States fitness industry, which was expected in September 2019 to grow 1.5% by 2025. Demand is supported by interest in healthy lifestyles, physical appearance, and engaging group workouts. Pepper Boxing reports a customer mix of 65% female and 35% male. Its classes are designed for all fitness levels and combine endurance training with boxing technique in a community focused setting. The broader fitness market includes boutique studios and large gym chains, leaving room for specialized concepts with differentiated experiences.

Pepper Boxing has not disclosed its initial franchise fee, total investment range, royalty rate, advertising contribution, or liquid capital requirement in the available search results. Its franchise page states that a franchise offer can be made only through delivery of a franchise disclosure document, subject to state registration requirements. For comparison, reported initial fees for other fitness brands include $59,500 for D1 Training and $60,000 for F45 Training. Reported total initial investment ranges are $161,750 to $711,123 for D1 Training, $294,200 to $719,100 for F45 Training, and $784,950 to $2,073,050 for Workout Anytime. Differences reflect location, studio size, build out, and equipment needs. Fitness franchise royalties commonly range from 5% to 7% of revenue, while advertising or marketing contributions commonly range from 1% to 3%. Liquid capital requirements often range from $100,000 to $350,000, with net worth requirements from $300,000 to $1 million. Pepper Boxing locations include a planned 3,500 square foot Dunwoody site, a 3,650 square foot Midtown site, and a Buckhead site of nearly 4,500 square feet, placing the concept in a likely mid tier to premium investment range. PitchBook reported in March 2026 that Pepper Boxing had raised $350,000 in debt financing as of July 2022. Buyers should review the FDD for the actual cost of ownership and other financial requirements.

A franchisee is expected to manage the studio closely, including client acquisition, member retention, and staff development. Pepper Boxing advises franchisees to operate as managing owners for at least the first year. The group fitness model requires certified boxing instructors and front desk staff, with possible sales or management personnel. The company trains franchisees to become "sales assassins." The planned Dunwoody studio is expected to cover 3,500 square feet and include a private training room, double end bags, slip bags, and speed bags. Midtown covers 3,650 square feet, while a Buckhead permit identified a studio of nearly 4,500 square feet. Support materials include marketing methods for acquiring clients, the proprietary Pepper Boxing sales blueprint for converting first time visitors into package and membership customers, contact log and administrative procedures, methods for increasing private training bookings and merchandise sales, guidance on building studio community and culture, and leadership training intended to develop leaders rather than only managers. Pepper Boxing is seeking franchise growth beyond Atlanta, with Nashville and Tampa identified as target cities.

The available search results also provide no such figures, and PitchBook lists current revenue as blank. Franchisors are not required to provide this information, so buyers must conduct additional analysis. These comments concern early corporate operations and are not systemwide financial disclosures. Pepper Boxing operates in the cardio boxing niche, serves a 65% female and 35% male customer mix, and uses an accessible class format. Its move into franchising and plans for corporate and franchised expansion indicate confidence in the concept, although public financial data remains limited. The business grew from Nashville in 2017 to three listed Atlanta studios, Buckhead, Midtown, and Perimeter or The Battery, by 2019. A fourth Atlanta area site in Dunwoody was planned for October 2025. The Nashville location closed by October 2021 because of the pandemic. The PeerSense count of 2 franchised units and 0 company owned units does not appear to include the publicly listed studios. The $350,000 debt financing raised as of July 2022, reported in March 2026, also supports the company's expansion plans.

Pepper Boxing reports 2 franchised units in the PeerSense database and three listed corporate studios in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Buckhead, Midtown, and Perimeter or The Battery. The brand opened its first location in Nashville in June 2017 and began Atlanta operations in 2019. The company describes itself as officially a franchise and plans to add franchise locations while continuing corporate expansion. Dunwoody was planned for October 2025 and has been described in different contexts as the third location or a potential fourth Atlanta area studio. The franchise model is intended to expedite growth while preserving the brand's mission and philosophy, according to CEO Alexander Kaufman. Pepper Boxing raised $350,000 in debt financing as of July 2022, as reported in March 2026. Its competitive position comes from specialized cardio boxing, Kaufman's more than 20 years of boxing experience, and his decade as a top personal trainer. Classes combine endurance training and boxing technique for all fitness levels in an empowering environment. The goal of national recognition supports the effort to build brand awareness. Planned studio sizes range from 3,500 square feet in Dunwoody to nearly 4,500 square feet in Buckhead. The community focused group fitness model responds to demand for experiential wellness, while the marketing and sales systems support client acquisition and retention.

Pepper Boxing seeks franchisees with business understanding and an entrepreneurial spirit. The support model suggests that business judgment is more central than specific fitness industry experience, although relevant experience may help. The company has not stated specific multi unit requirements. Its national growth goal and focus on Nashville and Tampa suggest interest in operators who can develop multiple locations within defined territories. In August 2023, Kaufman said the company might pause corporate openings in metro Atlanta, while remaining open to opportunities in Roswell or Alpharetta. The Buckhead studio is described as the "biggest busiest," indicating that affluent, dense urban and suburban markets may fit the concept. The expected period from franchise agreement signing to opening was not provided by Pepper Boxing. General fitness industry timing for site selection, lease negotiation, build out, training, and preopening marketing is 6 to 18 months. The franchise agreement term and renewal terms were also not disclosed.