Young Franchisees To Know: Brooks Rankin

Fitness has always been an important part of Brooks Rankin and his family’s life. Rankin grew up as an athlete and always maintained an active lifestyle and even worked at a fitness club in college. After college, he did an internship at a private club in California.

He wanted to take his passion for fitness and translate that into a business. He looked at franchise opportunities and he and his family opened a gym in 2010 in Pennsylvania. He has consulted for many gyms and has worked at eight different gyms over the last nine years, all of different sizes and types.

Working in these different environments has given him an idealistic approach to operating his own club; creating a culture that has the best interest in mind for guests, members, staff, and owners.

Rankin’s family also has a strong medicine background in and he is very passionate about working out as a means of means of preventative medicine.

Brooks Rankin: I was speaking with a colleague who is a fitness industry consultant, and he gave me the inside scoop on an up and coming concept, WORKOUT ANYTIME. I looked into it and quickly realized the brand was unlike any other fitness chain I’d ever seen. I love the simplified business model it provides and the easy access it gives to customers.

BR: The end goal is to open multiple locations and create a regional option for the communities we serve.

1851: I know you have worked with your family in the past in the fitness industry, but this is your first time going into business your own. What are some of the challenges you have encountered going out on your own?

BR: It’s similar to what I have done in the past, but on a completely different scale. However, I have been committed to this since day one, and understand what I am taking on and what needs to be accomplished. I also understand that things take time to fall into place – but I am ready for them.

BR: I want to remain a part of this iconic brand because if its integrity. I want to become an admired franchisee and a front runner within the company. That way, I can be a peer for fellow franchisees to come to when they are first opening their own locations for guidance and advice.

BR: This is a customer service business, so first and foremost it is important to have a clean facility, filled with staff that is friendly, approachable, and helpful. Further, it is important to be there to help people to achieve the results they are coming to the gym for. Yes this is a business, but it is one that can help to betters people’s lives through health and fitness. I want to provide a nice club for those people, at an affordable price.

BR: They did a god job outlining what they would do help us when franchising with their brand, and followed through on all of the promises they made. I appreciate their values and idealistic approach, as it aligns with how I desire to run my own business. They stood out as far as a business plan goes, and are all around good people.