Chuck Runyon: CEO of Anytime Fitness on how technology and empathy helped build Anytime Fitness

Send us Fan MailA small-town key and a big idea changed fitness forever. We’re sitting with Chuck Runyon, cofounder of Anytime Fitness and Purpose Brands, to trace the leap from oversized racquetball clubs to tech-enabled, 24/7 gyms that actually match how people train today. Chuck opens up about building with empathy for small business owners, why “health first, brand second” guides every decision, and how a relentless focus on unit-level performance fuels enduring growth.We dig into the trends reshaping the industry: strength training as the foundation, recovery moving mainstream with saunas and red light, and the rise of personalization powered by wearables, biometrics, and smarter blood work. Chuck explains how human-plus-AI coaching can cut through wellness noise by turning data into plans people can follow, with accountability that comes from a coach’s hug, high five, or hard push. If you’ve wondered how to open strong, he breaks down the presales playbook, the non-negotiables in site selection, and the KPIs every operator must master—average member value, PT penetration, close rate, and engagement.For investors and operators, we cover what makes a brand acquisition-ready: proof of concept, scalable economics, and international portability. Chuck shares how master franchises drive explosive global growth, why standardization matters with room for local flavor, and how private equity roll-ups can unlock faster expansion and cleaner exits. He’s candid about mistakes, proud of the culture that’s won best-place-to-work awards, and bullish on the next decade as fitness and medical care converge.If you care about building durable franchises, picking winners in longevity and personal care, or just want a clearer roadmap to member outcomes that stick, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s eyeing their first franchise, and leave a review with the KPI you track first—we’ll feature the best insights on a future show.Visit www.thefranchiseinsiders.com to subscribe.Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson. The Franchise InsidersPodcastSchedule A CallText: 305-710-0050Take our FREE Business Builder Assessment