Fast-growing fitness franchise, Fitstop Australia has bolstered its team with the addition of former Zambrero CEO, Stuart Cook as chairman of the board, investing in the business through his company TWIYO Capital.
The decorated franchise professional brings with him a wealth of sector-specific knowledge and expansion experience, at a time when Queensland-based Fitstop is gearing up for interstate growth.
Chief executive officer, Peter Hull said the brand was in the midst of hyper-growth phase, opening its 14th and 15th locations in October, with two more studios to open before the end of the year, after only beginning the year with six.
“Our goal is to expand rapidly next year, it’s a growth year for us, and especially with Stuart on board to provide that strong direction from a seasoned franchise professional, we’re primed to do that,” Hull said.
Fitstop growth
Fitstop’s expansion coincides with a resurgence in growth for Australian fitness studios, buoyed by the popularity of 24hr chain models and class-based systems that cater to the time-poor, health conscious.
Cook’s timely appointment to the Fitstop executive team not only boosts the business from an operations capacity, but also in terms of social equity.
The former Zambrero head was instrumental in the success of the franchise’s Plate 4 Plate initiative, which donated one meal to the underprivileged for every burrito sold in Zambrero stores.
It was that shared passion for bettering the lives of Australians that Cook said inspired him to partner with Fitstop.
“When I first met Fitstop’s co-founders, Peter Hull and Richard Bell I immediately felt their passion and drive to make a positive impact on the lives of their members but also to provide personal trainers with a solid business framework through Fitstop’s franchising opportunities. I believe in their vision and am thrilled to play a role in seeing it through the next phase,” Cook said.
Moving forward, the focus has firmly been placed on building the brand as a household name, with Hull acknowledging Cook’s appointment and investment in the business served a significant step forward for national recognition.
“We brought Stuart on at the start of the year, and the main priority we had in bringing him to the family was to add a depth to the company’s experience. In growing Zambrero to 100 locations with hundreds more contracted to open internationally, achieving great success in a global market, he’s a great mentor and asset to the team,” Hull said.
Fitstop franchisees
As national expansion takes shape and the brand prepares for a blockbuster 2019, Fitstop is on the hunt for fitness fans with a shared passion for social change to become franchisees.
“We look for passion, we want someone who is in the industry for the right reasons. Someone who is looking to enhance their lifestyle, and shares our vision for happier and healthier humans,” Hull said.
“We created a culture that grows and supports each other, and we’ve only been able to grow with the on-going input we receive from our team.”
To find out more about Fitstop Australia’s franchise opportunities, or for more information, click here.
This article was originally published 18 December 2018.