Healthy lifestyle trends in franchising

Living a healthy lifestyle for adults and children is a trend among Americans that has gained greater traction thanks to the attention garnered by the President and First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to reduce childhood obesity. A recent TrendKey Report by market researcher GfK Roper counted "Pursuit of Wellbeing" among its 14 Lifestyle Trends. GfK describes the Pursuit of Wellbeing trend this way: "Consumers, more than ever before, know what they are supposed to do to live a healthy lifestyle. But even with the best of intentions, many find it difficult to live a healthy lifestyle. Opportunities exist for marketers who can help consumers close the gap."

Those interested in combining work life and healthy living can find numerous opportunities working for or owning a health-focused franchise.

Steven Pease, assistant editor for Franchise Times magazine, says that a focus on healthy lifestyles is a trend they are seeing more and more in franchising too. "Industry wide, there's a trend to go healthier and focus on healthy lifestyles," notes Pease. Franchising concepts centered on health and wellbeing abound, from fitness studios for adults and children's recreation centers to healthy concepts in restaurants. "There's no shortage of health and fitness franchises; it's one of our franchise focuses for 2012."

Snap Fitness and Anytime Fitness are two franchise systems that provide 24/7 fitness workout experiences. These franchises not only cater to those consumers seeking healthy lifestyles, they also recognize what GfK refers to as "Stretched Lives" and the reality of consumers juggling home, work and other demands. Though the economy has taken a bite out of fitness club memberships, owners of Snap Fitness believe there is a strong future for 24/7 fitness centers given, per their website, "the aging baby boomer population in search of eternal youth and the reality that regular exercise can prevent or control diseases that are driving health care costs relentlessly upward."

"Low-cost gym options are going strong," adds Pease. He says that only a small segment of the population actually goes to the gym. "These newer concepts are in search of the Holy Grail and are seeking to tap into the market that doesn't generally go to the gym."

At the other end of the age spectrum, there are a plethora of kids' gym franchise concepts to get kids moving and keep them active. Companies like My Gym Children's Fitness Centers and Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Parks are just two examples of franchises that offer fun and fitness for kids. 

Jonathon Mays, food editor for Franchise Times, says he continues to see healthy trends in food and restaurant franchising. "The Naked Pizza concept is trying to bring health to pizza. Pizza Fusion is another example. And Elevation Burger." These franchises offer everything from whole wheat and gluten-free dough to whole foods and fresh, organic, and free-range meats.

Mays notes that in addition to new franchise concepts, some long-standing franchise organizations have made some inroads in the healthy lifestyles trend. "Subway has gained significant traction by pushing their healthy focus with some legitimately healthy sandwich choices. Restaurants are adding healthy menu options to give people a choice; even if consumers choose otherwise."