Franchise Costs: Detailed Estimates of AKT (Anna Kaiser Technique) Franchise Costs (2019 FDD)

Updated May 4, 2020.

Detailed Estimates of AKT (Anna Kaiser Technique) Franchise Costs Based on Item 7 (Estimated Initial Investment) of AKT’s 2019 Franchise Disclosure Document

1.  Initial Franchise Fee:  $60,000

• The Initial Franchise Fee for a single Studio is $60,000. The Initial Franchise Fee is non-refundable. AKT does not provide financing for the Initial Franchise Fee.

2.  Travel and Living Expenses While Training:  $500 to $3,000

• This estimate is designed to cover the costs and expenses you might incur in connection with you (or if you are an entity, one of your operating principals you designate to be the Designated Operator for the Studio) attending and completing the required initial training.

• AKT will not charge you or your Designated Operator for this portion of its initial training that must completed on behalf of the franchisee/owner under your Franchise Agreement. You will be responsible for the costs and expenses associated with attending this training (e.g., transportation, meals, lodging, and other expenses).

• The estimate assumes that you will attend training at AKT’s headquarters.

• The estimated AKT Certification Program Tuition Fees associated with your initial instructors is accounted for in the estimate of “Additional Funds” below.

3.  Trainer Tuition Fees:  $10,500 to $21,000

• This estimate covers possible AKT Certification Program Tuition(s) if you decide to cover such fees on behalf of your initial instructors. The estimate covers the cost for 7 instructors to attend the AKT Certification Program at AKT’s corporate headquarters.

4.  Real Estate/Lease:  $10,000 to $35,000

• If you do not own adequate Studio space, you must lease suitable premises. These figures assume that the leased premises will be between approximately 2,000 and 2,200 square feet.

• Landlords may also vary the base rental rate and charge rent based on a percentage of gross sales. In addition to base rent, the lease may require you to pay common area maintenance charges (“CAM Charges”), your pro rata share of the real estate taxes and insurance, and your pro rata share of HVAC and trash removal.

• You will also likely be required to pay a security deposit. This estimate assumes your security deposit will amount to approximately one month of rent.

5.  Leasehold Improvements:  $136,000 to $225,000

• You must adapt AKT’s prototypical plans and specifications for the construction and finish-out of the Studio, including approved flooring, mirrors, and paint. This estimate includes the cost of installing any furniture, equipment, or fixtures that are required to complete the build-out of your Studio, as well as certain music licenses which could increase depending on the selection of music played in the Studio.

• The estimates presented herein are net of tenant improvement amounts incurred by the landlord.

• The low end of the range reflects modest improvements to a smaller location, and the high end reflects significant physical improvements to a larger Studio.

6.  Signage and Graphics:  $18,000 to $35,000

• You must purchase all signage and graphics directly from AKT.

• The cost of your signage may be more or less than this estimate, and depends on the number, size, type, and method of installation you choose. Each landlord has different restrictions it places on interior and exterior signage that may affect your costs.

7.  Insurance:  $900 to $1,000

• This estimate is for 3 months of your minimum required insurance. The actual cost may be more than shown here. You will need to check with your insurance carrier for actual premium quotes and costs, and for the actual amount of deposit.

8.  Initial FFE Package – Lease for 3 Months:  $4,600 to $6,500

• The standard franchise offering assumes and expects that a new System franchisee will enter into a lease agreement to cover the following costs: (1) furniture, fixtures, and related supplies; (2) specialty and other exercise equipment; and (3) shipping. As such, the range above is designated to capture and account for the typical deposit and lease payments you will make to suppliers AKT approves to lease these items.

• The initial furniture, fixtures, and related supplies includes the materials you need to decorate and furnish the Studio. The initial required exercise equipment for a standard franchise includes various equipment/supplies for use in connection with the provision of the Approved Services such as resistance bands/straps, interval training equipment, weights, and heart rate monitors, as well as certain other equipment used in connection with the Studio.

9.  Opening Retail Inventory:  $12,000

• The typical for-sale items held in opening inventory are the apparel and other branded merchandise that you will be permitted to resell at your Studio as part of your Approved Products, including items such as t-shirts, towels, exercise clothing, and related accessories.

10.  Utility Deposits:  $0 to $1,000

• Typically, a utility deposit will be required only if you are a new customer of the utility company.

11.  Licenses and Permits:  $0 to $3,000

• The range of costs covers the expense to acquire the required local business permits. These estimated costs include building permits, fire inspection, sales tax permit, and retail sales permits. If an electrical permit is necessary, the costs may be more.

• The low-end estimate will apply to franchisees who already have the necessary licenses and permits in place prior to executing the Franchise Agreement.

12.  Audio/Visual and Computer Equipment:  $50,000 to $55,000

• You must acquire a personal computer and a Point-of-Sale system (“POS”) for use in the operation of the Studio. Your computer system must be equipped with a high-speed connection to the Internet and must include a local area network with a dedicated server.

• AKT will make available to you a certain business management software program specific for the Studio to be loaded on to your system. You will pay the third-party vendor directly for all fees associated with the use of the software.

• In addition to the POS and related computer equipment, you must acquire speakers, cabling and mounts, and other audio-visual related equipment and accessories necessary to provide the Approved Services.

• You are required to have at least 1 surveillance camera installed in the Studio. The camera(s) must be web accessible. You will use the camera to monitor teacher performance, quality assurance, and safety.

• AKT has an absolute right to also review and monitor the camera(s) for the same purposes as you, and to ensure compliance with the System. You are responsible for ensuring customer consent and for any failure to obtain such consent.

• You must indemnify AKT for any breaches of privacy from your use of any surveillance camera.

13.  Initial Marketing Spend:  $15,000

• You are required to expend this “Initial Marketing Spend” in coordination with the pre-opening sales plan AKT approves or designates for your Studio as part of the opening support program that AKT’s approved supplier provides in connection with your Studio, as AKT determines appropriate in its discretion (the “Opening Support Program”).

• Typically, AKT expects your Opening Support Program to commence prior to the “soft opening” of your franchised Studio through your actual opening of the Studio. These funds must be expended on your Opening Support Program and any other pre-opening marketing and/or advertising activities AKT designates.

14.  Additional Funds – First 3 Months:  $15,000 to $27,000

• This is an estimate of certain funds needed to cover your business (not personal) expenses during the first 3 months of operation of the Studio. These expenses include initial employee wages; ongoing purchases of equipment and supplies; marketing expenses/fees and local advertising; ongoing utilities (other than initial deposits); and repairs and maintenance.

15.  Total:  $332,500 to $499,500

• In preparing the figures in this chart, AKT relied on the experience of: (i) the Studios that are open and operating; (ii) the experience of AKT’s sister brands in developing other fitness concepts and information related to their respective studio investment costs; and (iii) current estimates AKT has received from its Approved Suppliers and other third-party vendors.