Xponential Fitness, Inc. recently signed a master franchise agreement with Porto-based Mitrinha & Libelinha, Lda. in Portugal for its Club Pilates brand, according to a press release.
“The Portuguese fitness market is vibrant and growing, and Club Pilates is an ideal brand to launch in the market as interest in boutique fitness grows and as our business in Spain accelerates,” said John Kersh, chief international development officer of Xponential Fitness. “We look forward to working with our partners in Portugal as we bring Club Pilates to even more customers across Europe.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the master franchisee can now license a minimum of 20 Club Pilates studios in Portugal over the course of the next 10 years. The master franchise partners will contribute an ample sum of experience with the development of global consumer retail brands in Portugal.
The deal serves as one of Xponential Fitness' efforts to expand its global presence. The company’s existing or developing geographic catalog features 16 countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Club Pilates has now established six studios near Spain, and is currently in talks to secure deals based in the U.K. and Germany.
The expansion initiative follows recent master franchise agreements in Mexico and the U.K., for CycleBar in Japan, and for Club Pilates, StretchLab, CycleBar and Rumble in Kuwait.
Club Pilates counts with the support of Xponential’s boutique fitness brands, which include Pure Barre, Rumble, StretchLab, CycleBar, Row House, YogaSix, AKT, Body Fit Training and Stride Fitness.
A recent International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association report suggests that the European fitness industry earns over $30 billion per year. Similarly, recent findings from an Allied Market Research report indicate that the European pilates and yoga studios market size is estimated to reach $49.4 million by 2027, representing a CAGR growth rate of 13.05% from 2021 to 2027.