Chequan Lewis takes over as Crunch Fitness CEO

Chequan Lewis has been appointed as chief executive of the gym and fitness franchise. The move is effective immediately, as Lewis succeeds Jim Rowley, who has transitioned to executive chairman of the company. Rowley has served as CEO of Crunch Fitness since 2019.

Crunch leadership revealed the transition to franchisees at the 2026 Crunch Global Fitness Convention, which kicked off on June 22 in San Antonio, Texas.

Lewis joined Crunch as president in February 2024 and previously served as chief operating officer of Pizza Hut U.S. As CEO, Crunch said Lewis will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, member-experience innovations, and branding and marketing. He will also shape and execute Crunch’s long-term growth strategy, the company said.

“Crunch has never been stronger, and that strength reflects years of close collaboration with Jim, our franchise partners, and our teams across the brand, who have built something special over time,” Lewis said. “I’m honored to step into the CEO role and continue that partnership, building on the foundation we’ve created together. As we enter this next chapter, our focus remains clear: to support our franchise network, invest in innovation, and grow the Crunch community in a disciplined way while staying true to the culture, values, and ‘No Judgments, No Limits’ experience that define this brand.”

Rowley is expected to remain involved in the business as executive chairman, focusing on the company’s vision, long-term strategy, and overall performance.

“Crunch is on a mission, and it takes thousands of dedicated people across our system to bring that mission to life every day,” Rowley said. “Chequan and I have built a close, trusted partnership, which gives me real confidence in his leadership as he steps into the CEO role. I’m excited to move into a role focused on strategy, results, and performance—helping guide our current priorities and plans that will shape the next phase of Crunch’s growth.”

Crunch was founded in 1989 in New York City’s Greenwich Village neighborhood. The brand has operations in 41 states, along with the District of Columbia, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and India.

In April 2025, private equity investment firm Leonard Green & Partners acquired a majority interest in Crunch Fitness from asset management firm TPG Growth.