In this exclusive Q&A, we get to learn more about the new boutique fitness franchise, AKT from its president, Melissa Chordock.
Franchise Chatter (FC): Can you share a little bit about the AKT concept and how it originated?
Melissa Chordock (MC): AKT was founded by international fitness expert, Anna Kaiser. Anna’s background in professional dance, choreography and sports medicine are what launched her career in New York City in 2002 as a touring dancer and choreographer.
On the side, she would train private clients she had met while touring. Her reputation and unique training style led her to becoming the preferred trainer of celebrities such as Kelly Ripa, Shakira, Karlie Kloss, Hillary Duff and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Wanting to fuse her passion for dance and fitness, Anna founded AKT in 2013. AKT is a fitness concept rooted in dance technique and functional training and provides our members with a curriculum that combines a customized mixture of our four core modalities (toning, dance, interval training and circuit training) to deliver a fun, high-energy and full-body workout experience like no other.
Today, we have three open locations and along with our parent company, Xponential Fitness, we have launched the franchise opportunity to open studios across the nation.
FC: How does AKT stand out from other fitness concepts in the $81B boutique fitness industry?
MC: Anna has designed the AKT concept to provide a completely unique and customized fitness experience to consumers based on a groundbreaking fitness technique that strengthens the body and mind through a hybrid program that combines dance with functional training. The experience that we have created is truly comprehensive, and offers our members all aspects of their fitness needs in one workout.
The AKT workout is inclusive and was designed for participants of all levels in a community environment. We’ve made AKT a place where our members can have fun while dancing, sweating and getting stronger all while surrounded by a strong sense of community, motivation and electric energy.
Aside from a unique environment and experience, the AKT workout itself stands out from the crowd as it combines circuit training, HIIT, strength, toning, dance cardio, Pilates and yoga and provides cardio intervals that members would not be able to get on any machine. Our members are always kept on their toes with excitement and challenges as the workout is ever-changing.
Anna and the team work to consistently develop new content and choreography to ensure that it is never the same for more than three weeks in a row. Our workout has been proven to expand limits, strengthen and improve flexibility and balance with a focused, scaled and fun approach to dynamic movement.
FC: What makes AKT an attractive business opportunity for potential franchisees?
MC: We have perfectly positioned AKT in the marketplace to tap into a completely unmet consumer demand in the fitness space. Being the only cardio-based concept rooted in dance technique and functional training, AKT has no direct competitors which allows our franchisees the opportunity to capitalize on an emerging market.
Our franchisees will also have first-to-market advantage with the ability to open a studio in one of their preferred markets.
An AKT franchisee can look forward to being part of a positive growth team as the concept is scalable and user-friendly as it does not require intricate technology to operate and develop.
AKT’s services and offerings inherently cater to the millennial generation who places great value in self-care and wellness. Our franchisees will see a solid ROI as the brand also caters to a more discerning clientele who is willing to invest in their fitness and wellness routine.
Our founder, Anna Kaiser has built a legacy brand in AKT which she is actively involved in. Anna’s active involvement and continued dedication to the brand gives our franchisees the confidence of knowing that the concept and their experience as a franchisee will be built on her legacy and support.
Alongside Anna’s support, our franchisees also have the support of Xponential Fitness, our parent company and an expert team with more than 25 years’ experience in fitness franchising as well as a proven track record. Xponential Fitness will offer our franchisees guided support through the entire franchising process from lease negotiation to buildout, recruitment, finance, sales and marketing.
FC: What qualities do you look for in a potential franchisee? Which territories are you currently seeking for development?
MC: The ideal AKT franchise prospect is passionate about the overall vision of the brand and is interested in bringing health and fitness to their local community. At AKT, we welcome prospects from all walks of life – ranging from those with fitness experience, those with franchising experience and those with pure passion.
Franchise prospects who own multiple fitness concepts are also welcome to join the AKT family as today’s age of self-care means that consumers are willing to invest in their physical health and will more than likely seek membership to multiple fitness concepts.
We are looking for entrepreneurs with experience in team and business management who exhibit
exceptionally strong leadership skills as well as possess the required liquid capital. Most importantly, an ideal franchisee should have genuine excitement about bringing the concept to market.
We are primed for aggressive expansion and have plans to open 500 new studio locations by 2021. We are currently seeking single and multi-unit operators in urban growth markets primarily targeting major markets including but not limited to New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Southern California (Orange County), Boston, Dallas, Austin, Houston and Washington D.C.
FC: What is the typical investment to open an AKT studio?
MC: The typical total investment range to open an AKT franchise is $346,100 to $487,000.
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