What is Planet Fitness?
Low-cost fitness club franchisor and operator built around the Judgement Free Zone brand and high-scale membership economics.
- Category
- Fitness club franchising
- Headquarters
- Hampton, NH
- Founded
- 1992
- Employees
- Corporate + club staff; exact current total not disclosed
- Total funding
- Public; IPO/debt history
- Status
- NYSE: PLNT
What is Planet Fitness?
Planet Fitness is one of the world's largest fitness club franchisors and operators by members and locations. It ended Q1 2026 with about 21.5 million members and a club base above 2,900 locations.
Planet Fitness sells a low-cost, high-access gym model under the Judgement Free Zone brand. Most clubs are franchised, while the company also owns and operates a smaller set of corporate clubs, sells equipment to franchisees, collects royalties, and runs national advertising.
The company reported Q1 2026 revenue of $337.2 million, up 21.9% year over year, with net income of $51.8 million and adjusted EBITDA of $139.9 million. The strategic tension in 2026 is balancing affordability with growth: management has continued opening clubs while responding to weaker-than-expected signups and consumer pressure.
What does Planet Fitness offer?
Planet Fitness offers low-cost gym memberships, premium Black Card access, fitness training, app experiences, and franchise opportunities.
- Classic Membership· Membership
- PF Black Card· Membership
- Free fitness training· Services
- PF App workouts· Digital
- Franchised clubs· Franchise
- Company-owned clubs· Operations
- Equipment supply to franchisees· Revenue stream
How does Planet Fitness make money?
Planet Fitness makes money from franchise royalties, corporate-owned club memberships, annual fees, equipment sales to franchisees, national advertising fees, and other franchise services.
Planet Fitness is primarily an asset-light franchisor with a large member base. The public site advertises Classic memberships starting at $15 per month and PF Black Card memberships starting at $24.99 per month, plus an annual fee that may vary by location and plan.
The model scales through new clubs, member growth, same-club sales, franchise royalties, and equipment sales tied to openings and refreshes. Because about 90% of clubs are independently owned and operated, the company depends on franchisee unit economics, site availability, equipment costs, financing, and member retention as much as corporate marketing.
Who leads Planet Fitness?
Planet Fitness is led by CEO Colleen Keating, with former CFO Tom Fitzgerald serving as interim CFO while the company searches for a permanent finance chief.
- Colleen KeatingChief Executive OfficerCEO since June 2024Former FirstKey Homes CEO with hospitality, real estate, operations, and franchise experience.
- Tom FitzgeraldInterim Chief Financial OfficerInterim CFO since March 2026; prior CFO 2020-2024Returned to guide finance during the permanent CFO search.
- Jamie MedeirosChief Brand OfficerPromoted in 2022 after 22 years at Planet FitnessLeads brand strategy, national/local marketing, creative, and sponsorship activation.
- Stephen Spinelli Jr.Board ChairLongtime directorProvides public-company governance during leadership and growth transitions.
How do you contact Planet Fitness' leadership?
Planet Fitness does not publish a verified personal executive email format. Use investor relations, media, franchising, or customer-service contact paths rather than guessed personal addresses.
Personal format not verified; use public Planet Fitness contact channels- Colleen KeatingChief Executive OfficerUse https://investor.planetfitness.com/investors/investor-resources/contact-investor-relations/default.aspx
- Tom FitzgeraldInterim Chief Financial OfficerUse https://investor.planetfitness.com/investors/investor-resources/contact-investor-relations/default.aspx
- Planet Fitness customer serviceMember supportUse https://www.planetfitness.com/about-planet-fitness/contact-us
How much funding has Planet Fitness raised?
Planet Fitness is a mature public company, so its funding view is IPO history, securitized debt, franchisee capital, and free cash flow rather than venture rounds.
Planet Fitness went public in 2015 and has since operated as a public franchisor with a substantial debt and securitization structure. Its own filings highlight indebtedness, refinancing risk, franchisee access to capital, and tax receivable agreements as important capital-structure considerations.
The company also relies heavily on franchisee capital because independently owned clubs represent roughly 90% of the system. For sellers, that means capital decisions are split: corporate buys enterprise systems, brand, digital, equipment programs, and support infrastructure, while franchisees fund local clubs, labor, and many site-level decisions.
How did Planet Fitness get here?
Planet Fitness grew from a New Hampshire gym concept into a large public fitness franchise system with more than 21 million members.
- 1992Founded in New HampshirePlanet Fitness begins in Dover, New Hampshire.
- 2000sFranchise growth model scalesThe low-cost Judgement Free Zone model expands through franchisees.
- 2015IPOPlanet Fitness lists publicly on the NYSE under PLNT.
- 2024Colleen Keating named CEOThe company appoints a new CEO with franchise and operations experience.
- Dec 202520.8M members and 2,896 clubsPlanet Fitness reports a large global footprint, with about 90% franchised.
- Q1 202621.5M membersQ1 revenue rises 21.9% to $337.2M while management updates 2026 outlook.
Who are Planet Fitness' competitors?
Planet Fitness competes with low-cost gyms, full-service fitness chains, boutique studios, and digital/home fitness alternatives.
- Crunch FitnessValue-oriented gym chain with more classes and a less minimalist brand experience.
- Anytime Fitness24/7 franchised gyms with smaller local clubs and key-fob access.
- LA FitnessFull-service gym chain with pools, courts, classes, and higher price points in many markets.
- Blink FitnessBudget gym model competing directly on affordability and approachable branding.
- PelotonHome and app-based connected fitness alternative with premium subscription content.
Planet Fitness — frequently asked questions
