Franchise Anonymous 35+36: Small-group personal training, salon suites for rent

Happy Sunday, folks. 

As a franchise consultant, I hear pitches from hundreds of different franchise concepts every year. 

I’m taking the most interesting ones, and telling you: 

• What sets them apart

• One potential weakness

• Who the ideal buyer is

My promise: you’ll learn something about franchising every time. 

Today’s mystery franchises: Small group personal training and salon suites.

The business: Small-group personal training

Most fitness franchises chase 20-somethings with bootcamp vibes and Spotify playlists. This one’s different. It focuses on people aged 45–65, uses a small-group model (4–6 clients per coach), and charges double the usual boutique gym rate—without needing a high-drama staff or massive space.

What they do differently

• Premium age group, premium price. Their target market controls 70% of U.S. disposable income. Instead of fighting for broke 28-year-olds, they serve folks who value personal attention and can actually afford it.

• Low headcount, low churn. With a max of 130 members and just 3–4 staff, it’s designed to be simple and sticky. No revolving door of coaches or clients.

• Presale playbook is dialed in. They aim to open near capacity, with full marketing support and proven scripts. That de-risks one of the scariest parts of fitness: the launch.

• 🚩Potential weakness: Real estate, staff, and presales hustle required. You’ll need to find a site, recruit a GM, and hit presale numbers fast. This isn’t a laptop business—it takes leadership and upfront work.

The takeaway:

Best for someone who wants a smart, high-retention fitness model without the chaos of big-box gyms or high-turnover bootcamps. You don’t need to be a trainer—but you do need to lead a team, build a community, and follow the blueprint.

Interested? Let’s talk small-group fitness.

The business: Salon suites for rent

Instead of running a salon, this model rents out high-end, private suites to beauty professionals—hair stylists, estheticians, lash artists—who want their own space without the overhead of opening a full salon. Think real estate meets beauty.

What they do differently

• They sell space, not services. You’re not hiring stylists or managing bookings. You lease furnished suites to independent pros who bring their own clients, set their own hours, and pay you rent. That flips the risk—and the labor—to the tenant.

• Luxury positioning, premium rents. These aren’t repurposed office spaces with a coat of paint. IMAGE builds high-end studios that attract serious professionals who can command top dollar. That means strong, consistent rent rolls.

• 0 closures in 12+ years. That’s rare in any franchise category. The model is stable, low-touch once built, and backed by a brand that knows how to attract both franchisees and beauty pros.

• 🚩Potential weakness: Capital-heavy upfront. This is a real estate play. Expect to spend $1.5M+ and lock into a long-term lease or buildout. If you’re not comfortable with commercial development timelines and financing, it’s not the right move.

The takeaway:

This one’s for investors and operators who want to play landlord, not service manager. If you’ve got capital, understand real estate, and want a stable, high-demand niche with minimal day-to-day hassle, it’s a sharp model. No beauty experience required—just business acumen and patience.

Interested? Let’s talk salon suites.

If these aren’t doing it for you, I work with hundreds of other brands. Get in touch and we can find something that scratches the itch.

Thanks for reading!

Connor

P.S. If you’re at all interested in buying a franchise in the restoration space, come out to the webinar this Thursday! Bring your questions - all levels of experience are welcome. RSVP here.

Ready for the next step? Here are 3 ways I can help you: