Club Pilates is entering the United Kingdom, marking both the brand’s and parent Xponential Fitness Inc.’s first entry into the market.
Club Pilates has signed a Master Franchise Agreement to license at least 50 studios over the next 10 years in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The first location is anticipated to open in 2023.
Richard Uku, who owns franchises of both Club Pilates and AKT, is spearheading the expansion into the UK. Uku also founded the Deblankson Fitness Group that will oversee the Pilates studios in the UK.
“In the UK today, Pilates using the Reformer and other equipment is still a niche offering within this market and there are no brands with a national presence,” Uku said in a statement. “This creates a great opportunity for Club Pilates to establish itself and grow in the UK market in a similar way as it has done in the US market.”
The Pilates franchise first debuted in 2018 and expects to open its first location in Germany later this year. Shares of Xponential Fitness (NYSE: XPOF) were relatively unchanged at $13.05 and a $637 million market cap.
