Xponential Fitness Inc. (NYSE: XPOF) has signed a multi-franchise agreement for its brands Rumble and AKT to be developed in Japan with an existing partner, Wellness X Asia.
The deal gives the franchise partner the license to open at least 100 new studios over the next eight years, across the two brands. Wellness X Asia also heads the development of another two Xponential brands, Club Pilates and CycleBar.
Wellness X is led by Naoki Shimabukuro, who also founded a franchise marketing agency that operates in both Japan and Singapore. Shimabukuro’s first deal with Xponential was for Club Pilates in 2019 which was also the boutique fitness franchisor’s first international agreement.
“Our wide range of franchise offerings … will provide multiple paths for rapid studio expansion in Japan to the highly motivated, fitness-focused consumer community,” Shimabukuro said in a statement.
Rumble is one of Xponential’s most recent acquisitions from 2021, along with Australian-based Body Fit Training (BFT). With 10 brands under its portfolio, Irvine-based Xponential holds franchise agreements in 14 countries total with 2,485 locations companywide as of September.
