Franchisee Spotlight: Paul Jackson and Randy Clevenger

Paul Jackson and his wife Lynn were members of the Workout Anytime club for four years. So when the club closed for financial reasons, as good stewards of a local business and because of their love of the concept, the couple saw the potential in keeping it open and decided to explore the option of making it their own.  The Jacksons were able to do so, and after two months, they took the club out of bankruptcy in April 2010. Three years later, their experience with Workout Anytime has them slated for a second location to open in August in Alpharetta, GA. Paul, who is a commercial airline pilot, will maintain that profession while helping operate the clubs.

Randy Clevenger, who had been a member of Paul’s club, had no background in fitness prior to his plans of partnering with the Jacksons for the second Workout Anytime location, but saw the business’s potential.  Having owned several other businesses over the past 21 years, Randy believes the fitness industry, and Workout Anytime in particular, represent one of the best franchise opportunities you’ll find.  Unlike other industries, the Fitness industry is still in a growth phase and WOAT has found a distinctive niche within the industry.  The business model is sound & the corporate support is outstanding.  It’s a great brand, and we just felt the concept was a winner.  With our experience & background running other small businesses, we believe we can grow our organization quickly to a multi-unit, multi-state operation.

Randy’s experience in all facets of starting a business from scratch & growing it into a multi-million dollar organization, uniquely qualifies him as a WOAT owner / operator.  Combined with Paul’s acute business acumen, in tandem with their drive and passion for the project, all positioned the pair to run a well-organized business. Their experience in running tight financials, marketing and customer relations will certainly help take their vision for the brand to growth.  WOAT is a concept that you can really get excited about.  I feel passionate about the brand, the opportunity and what this business is all about.

How did you learn about the brand?

We were originally looking for an economical club without a contract. So, we went online to explore the possibilities of joining the organization.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Workout Anytime?

I thought the business model is superior to all the other business models in the industry.

Randy: I almost pulled the trigger with a fitness competitor about 18 months ago, but backed off because I didn't feel they had the level of passion and interest in developing a relationship with me. I also liked the idea of being part of a franchise for help with growing not only in our area, but into other territories. After doing more research, I was determined that these guys “get it,” and it feels right.  

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

We work with the Fraternal Order of Police, area schools and No Longer Bound, which is a men’s substance abuse recovery program. We support largely through monetary donations.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

When the first club originally closed, we inherited 1,100 potentially unhappy members because they either had no place to work out or had seemingly lost money. Lynn and I made calls to everyone and decided to honor all full memberships to gain the trust of these folks.

Also, the new location in August will be completely different. The original was a salvaged location so we are getting into something brand new.

Do you have any superstar employees? What is their story?

Chris Maier is our lead marketing professional, beginning with us last year as a member of the club. Chris quickly became the manager of the club and has done a great job. He’s very business savvy and is the face of our business.

The way we’re set up is Lynn and Chris manage for much of the time to account for my pilot position, so I’ll do whatever I can when I’m here. Lynn is managing partner and Chris is the store manager.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Workout Anytime?

Randy and I would like to open 10 total in the next several years and three more within the next three years. We are currently looking at Flowery Branch and Dawsonville as next locations.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

We like going to church and fishing when we can.  

Grand Opening in Stockbridge

We had an amazing Grand Opening in Stockbridge, Georgia. The new location is located at 3658 Highway 138 SE. The location signed up 82 new members on the day of the Grand Opening - an impressive number. Zelly Wesson, the gym’s operations director, said staff have already registered 800 members. 

Here are some of our favorite photos from the opening!

Workout Anytime Featured in Rome News-Tribune

Workout Anytime was recently featured in the Rome News-Tribune in an article titled, "Tuesday Morning and Workout Anytime plan spring openings in the Hicks Drive shopping center".

The article talked about brothers Bill and Bob Aicklan opening a new Workout Anytime in Rome to open this spring. The Workout Anytime model, concept, and history were discussed. The brothers signed their first franchise agreement in 2009 in Decatur, GA. They then bought both of the corporate stores in metro Atlanta and are beginning a regional expansion.

Click HERE to read the full article or begin reading below:

Tuesday Morning and Workout Anytime plan spring openings in the Hicks Drive shopping center

By: Doug Walker

Construction continues on a couple of slots in the Etowah Crossing Shopping Center on Hicks Drive in East Rome.

Tuesday Morning will be moving from its long-time location in the West Towne Square shopping center on Shorter Avenue sometime in mid-May. A Workout Anytime gym franchise also is set to open soon.

Rella Jackson, manager of the Tuesday Morning shop, said the primary reason for their move in the need for more space.

Workout Anytime Opens New Locations!

Workout Anytime is happy to announce our newest openings in Louisville-Fern Creek, KY and nearby in Springhurst, KY! Our team took some amazing photos of the Louisville-Fern gym ready for customers. Come on in, Kentucky, and GET FIT!

Workout Anytime is also excited to announce our next opening in Stockbridge, GA on Monday, March 4th. Stockbridge's Nicos Chavis took the time to tell us why he chose to join the WOAT family and all about starting the new business.

Workout Anytime featured in Ledger-Enquirer

Outsider food, retail chains keen to have local presence

By Tony Adams for The Ledger-Enquirer

That's the task before Randy Trotter as well, finding entrepreneurs willing and able financially to buy into Atlanta-based fitness company Workout Anytime, which could have three to four locations at full build-out.

"We like the Columbus market. We call it an underserved market," said Trotter, vice president of franchise development for Workout Anytime, which now has about 50 stores open or in development, with a short-term goal of reaching 100 units. Supermarket-anchored shopping centers are the preferred locations, he said.

"Most people that are looking for franchises kind of fall into the restaurant market," Trotter said. "When they see our model and our concept, they're pretty much blown away because there's so few working pieces compared to a restaurant."

Click here to read the entire article.

Workout Anytime featured in Atlanta Business Chronicle

Workout Anytime was recently featured in an article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle titled "Bargain fitness clubs rev up old retail centers." The article discusses why 24/7 fitness centers have seen an increase in business over the past few years. Click here for the full article, or begin reading below.

Bargain fitness clubs rev up old retail centers

Bargain fitness clubs are improving the health of some aging shopping centers.

And Atlanta-based Workout Anytime continues to grow in its hometown and foresees major expansion in the Southeast and beyond in the next five years.

With membership costing less than $20 a month, the fitness club retailers are creating a new niche in the fitness world. They also are helping fill vacant space at shopping centers, driving much-needed traffic to those that might have struggled during the Great Recession.

(Read More)

Workout Anytime featured on Good Morning Atlanta on Atlanta’s Business Radio X

Workout Anytime was recently featured in a segment on on Good Morning Atlanta Business Radio X. Steve and John discussed the founding of Workout Anytime and how successful this ‘value priced’ model has been throughout the Southeast. Workout Anytime changed the model a few years ago to help adjust to the changing economy to a $15 price point, which provides the best workout per square foot in the industry by providing the highest quality equipment. Steve and John also discussed the unique growth methods by franchising, area developers and of course corporate clubs. Read the accompanying article below, and click here to listen to the segment.

Founders of Workout Anytime and Payscape Advisors

This week Good Morning Atlanta features Payscape Advisors and Workout Anytime.

Payscape Advisors co-founders Jeremy Wing and Adam Bloomston and marketing head Amber Bloomston, and fitness veterans John Quattrocchi and Steve Strickland, co-founders of Workout Anytime join Dana and Elizabeth in the studio for a lively conversation about their businesses, strategies and success.

Steve and John discuss their 35+ years experience in the fitness industry and how their past successes and failures contributed to their decision to create a more cost-effective fitness model.  They cut the overhead costs that are associated with large scale gym concepts and created a concept that operates in 5,000 sq. feet and with all of the amenities for only $15 per month, a profitable model that they could rapidly grow.

Steve and John talk about how key cards allow guests to exercise 24-hours per day and only required a staff between 1-3 people per location.  The model provides members with first-class fitness facilities at the lowest cost possible, while delivering a profitable and affordable business model to franchisees. Workout Anytime is preparing for significant expansion into new territories by providing opportunities to business-minded entrepreneurs.

For further information about Workout Anytime and franchise opportunities, visit  www.workoutanytime.com