Gold's Gym franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Gold's Gym franchise fee is $40,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $1,793,500 to $4,537,000, with about $495,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Gold's Gym FDD.
What are the Gold's Gym franchise fees and investment?
The Gold's Gym franchise requires a franchise fee of $40,000 and a total initial investment of $1,793,500 to $4,537,000. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $40,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $1,793,500 to $4,537,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $495,000 |
| US locations | 211 |
| Industry | Fitness (Fitness Center) |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Franchising since | 1999 |
How does the Gold's Gym investment compare with other fitness franchises?
Gold's Gym's minimum investment of $1,793,500 is above the median minimum investment of $202,548 across the 260 fitness franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 8 of the other 259 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $40,000 compares with an industry median of $42,500.
By minimum investment, Gold's Gym belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Gold's Gym FDD?
Verify six parts of the Gold's Gym Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Gold's Gym discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Gold's Gym?
These fitness franchises have the closest minimum investment to Gold's Gym:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| The Hot Room | $60,000 | $1,803,500 to $3,303,333 |
| Dill Dinkers | $50,000 | $1,913,100 to $4,865,700 |
| Lyft 24 | $5,000 to $39,000 | $1,624,000 to $3,837,500 |
| Retrofitness | $29,000 | $2,037,316 to $3,241,991 |
| Planet Fitness | $0 to $20,000 | $1,525,000 to $5,221,500 |
See every brand in fitness franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Gold's Gym franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Gold's Gym franchise ranges from $1,793,500 to $4,537,000, including a franchise fee of $40,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Gold's Gym franchise?
Gold's Gym lists a minimum of about $495,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Gold's Gym locations are there?
Gold's Gym reported 211 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Gold's Gym been franchising?
Gold's Gym started offering franchises in 1999 after the company was founded in 1999.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Gold's Gym and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Gold's Gym. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.