Irvine-based AKT Franchise is making moves once again, highlighting the continued interest in boutique fitness concepts.
The fitness chain’s dance-based workouts got its start in New York by celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser attaching its brand to names such as Shakira and Alicia Keys.
Now, the company, part of Xponential Fitness LLC, also of Irvine, said it signed two franchise agreements that would add 16 studios in Florida. That includes 10 in the Fort Lauderdale area and six in Miami.
Other recent franchise deals for AKT have been struck in places such as Los Angeles, Toledo, Ohio and Northern Virginia.
AKT has already nearly doubled its footprint so far this year to 16 studios.
The company currently counts OC locations in Tustin and Yorba Linda. A Fullerton location is expected to open in the fall. Eight other openings outside of OC are scheduled for this year, including West Hollywood, Miami and Long Island.
The growth spurt is hardly an anomaly under Xponential’s umbrella of more than 1,500 studios across the fitness franchisor’s eight brands as they keep a steady march on expansion. Stretch Lab Franchise LLC, a studio aimed at providing custom stretches to clients, is Xponential’s fastest-growing concept with a dozen of its doors opened during the pandemic and nearly 40 more expected by year’s end (see the Aug. 31 print edition of the Business Journal for more).
