Stretch Lab

Stretch Lab operates in the assisted stretching segment of the boutique fitness industry. The brand was founded in 2015 by Saul Janson, Tim Trost, and Steve Sudell, based on the belief that professional assisted stretching could improve physical performance and reduce injury risk. Anthony Geisler is also identified as a founder and CEO. Stretch Lab is headquartered in Irvine, California, United States, and provides services intended to improve flexibility, mobility, and wellness for clients of all ages and fitness levels. In 2018, Stretch Lab joined the Xponential Fitness portfolio, which gave the brand access to additional resources, operating systems, and development capacity. Xponential Fitness is a global franchisor of boutique health and wellness brands, including Club Pilates and CycleBar, and reported 3,150 studios globally in the third quarter of 2024. Stretch Lab is also owned by TPG Growth Partners, an $83 Billion Private Equity Fund. President Verdine Baker leads the brand's strategic initiatives and growth. Stretch Lab reached 500 open locations in North America in October 2024 and had surpassed 500 open studios globally, with more than 1,000 licenses awarded worldwide. These figures place the brand within the specialized fitness and recreational sports centers category and show the scale of its current network.

Fitness and recreational sports centers benefit from increased consumer attention to health, wellness, and preventative care. Boutique fitness has grown as a specialized category for customers seeking personalized services and measurable results compared with traditional gyms. Demand for assisted stretching is supported by an aging population focused on mobility and quality of life, greater awareness of flexibility for athletic performance and injury prevention, and wider interest in wellness practices. Consumers are also spending more on preventative services intended to support physical longevity and reduce discomfort. Many concepts in the category use memberships and other recurring revenue models, which can support predictable income and client retention. Boutique studios may also require a simpler buildout and lower overhead than some other fitness businesses. The category includes many independent operators and specialized studios, while Stretch Lab has established a leading position in assisted stretching with the systems and scale of Xponential Fitness behind it. Rising disposable incomes, increased attention to self care, and the professionalization of wellness services support demand for expert led concepts. Stretch Lab's one on one sessions and proprietary methods distinguish its service through personalized attention and practitioner guidance.

The initial franchise fee is $65,000. Qualified U.S. military veterans receive a 25% discount, reducing that fee to $48,750. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $269,019 to $610,224. Real estate and lease related professional fees are estimated at $16,500 to $43,000. Net leasehold improvements range from $3,500 to $180,500. Signage is estimated at $7,500 to $24,000, and insurance is estimated at $4,320 to $9,025. Fitness equipment and the initial furniture, fixtures, and equipment package cost $64,600 to $84,100. Pre sales and soft opening retail inventory are budgeted at $20,000 to $24,000. The computer system and audio visual equipment require $5,500 to $6,000. Initial marketing and advertising costs are $37,900 to $44,700. Initial instructor training fees are $6,800 to $8,500. Another source reports an investment range of $156,200 to $386,100, which may reflect different studio formats or reporting periods, while the 2025 FDD provides the current detailed breakdown. Ongoing charges include an 8% royalty on gross sales, paid weekly, and a weekly contribution of 2% of gross sales to the Brand Development Fund. The fund supports national marketing. Franchisees are expected to have $100,000 in liquid capital and a minimum net worth of $500,000. Estimated working capital is $10,000 to $40,000. The investment therefore requires substantial available capital, along with the financial capacity to support opening and early operations.

A Stretch Lab studio delivers personalized, one on one assisted stretching and is designed around ongoing client relationships and recurring memberships. Daily responsibilities include scheduling clients, managing specialized practitioners, and maintaining a welcoming and effective studio environment. The primary service providers are professional stretch practitioners called Flexologists. New owners complete an onboarding program led by the corporate team that covers operations management, financial management, marketing, membership growth, and leadership. Flexologists must complete the proprietary Flexologist Training Program, or FTP. At the end of 2022, the FTP became the first nationally accredited certification program for assisted stretching. It received accreditation from the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, known as ICE. Flexologists complete 60 to 70+ hours of theoretical and practical training covering the muscular system, assisted stretching techniques, and client interaction. They are trained in the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation method, or PNF, for one on one sessions intended to improve range of motion and flexibility. Corporate support begins before opening and includes territory planning, site selection, lease negotiation, studio design, construction management, and pre sales planning. The pre sales strategy is intended to build early membership activity before the studio opens. Continuing operational guidance supports daily management and longer term growth. Territory planning gives franchisees a defined area in which to develop the business and helps limit direct internal competition. The model is designed for owners who remain involved in studio operations and receive continuing support from the corporate team.

Results can vary with local operating costs, market conditions, and management performance. The model relies on recurring memberships and a relatively simple studio buildout. Those features can support recurring income, lower initial capital requirements than some fitness concepts, and lower overhead. The independent Loan Activity Score is 69 and is categorized as Strong.

Stretch Lab reached 500 open locations in North America in October 2024 and surpassed 500 open studios globally. That milestone came 10 months after the brand reached 400 open locations. In November 2023, Stretch Lab announced its 400th studio in Colorado Springs, eight months after reaching 300 studios. The brand opened 154 studios globally in 2022 and opened a new studio every three days throughout 2023. The 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document reported 429 franchised Stretch Lab locations in the USA. Another source reported 431 units nationwide. The latest available data lists 485 locations, predominantly franchise owned. Stretch Lab has signed over 900 franchise agreements, with additional studios in development worldwide. Its international presence includes 45 U.S. states, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Kuwait, and Japan. The brand has also brought its service to Princess Cruises' fleet of cruise ships. Master Franchise Agreements are in place for Australia, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, and Japan. Stretch Lab's competitive position is based on brand recognition in assisted stretching, proprietary methods, and its service model. The FTP provides a standardized training system, and its ICE accreditation supports consistent practitioner education. The use of PNF in one on one sessions further distinguishes the service. Xponential Fitness contributes operating systems, marketing support, and scale. Stretch Lab's emphasis on preventative wellness and individualized care aligns with demand for specialized health services.

A typical franchise candidate has business judgment and leadership ability, although prior fitness industry experience is not specifically required. Training and corporate support are intended to prepare owners for operations, financial management, marketing, and leadership. Franchisees are expected to be hands on owner operators who participate in daily management and studio growth. An entrepreneurial outlook and interest in health and wellness may help an owner build client engagement. The more than 900 signed franchise agreements and more than 1,000 licenses awarded worldwide indicate that multi unit development is available for qualified candidates. Master Franchise Agreements for Australia, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, and Japan also show the potential for larger development programs by experienced operators. Stretch Lab operates in 45 U.S. states and several international markets, creating a range of geographic opportunities. Corporate territory planning support helps candidates evaluate and secure markets. Specific data identifying the best performing markets is proprietary, but the brand's expansion reflects demand across different regions and demographics. Corporate guidance from franchise agreement signing through opening includes pre sales planning to build early membership activity. The franchise agreement term length is not specified in the provided data. Typical industry terms often involve initial terms of 5 to 10 years with renewal options, subject to performance and brand standards, but those terms should not be assumed for Stretch Lab without reviewing the applicable agreement. Transfer and resale provisions are standard considerations in franchise agreements and may provide an owner with an eventual exit option.

Stretch Lab merits detailed review by buyers considering a boutique fitness investment. The brand has expanded within assisted stretching, has more than 500 open studios globally, and had awarded more than 1,000 licenses by October 2024. Its support structure comes from Stretch Lab and its parent company, Xponential Fitness, with ownership by TPG Growth Partners. The membership model, relatively simple studio buildout, and focus on specialized services may support the operating approach, while local costs and management remain significant factors. The investment range is $269,019 to $610,224, with a $65,000 franchise fee or a discounted fee of $48,750 for qualified U.S. military veterans. Ongoing charges include the 8% royalty and 2% Brand Development Fund contribution. The accredited FTP, PNF based one on one service, and corporate operating support are central parts of the brand's model. A buyer should compare the FDD, local market conditions, staffing needs, working capital, and expected operating costs before deciding whether the opportunity fits their financial resources and ownership goals.