Comments on: Lady of America Franchisee Locks Door, Walks Away

By: Another Ex Franchisee

Another Ex Franchisee — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:30:15 +0000

I too am an Ex-Franchisee. I am also someone who failed at this business. However – I have my MBA and have since obtained employment from another franchising company (non-gym). What I have learned is this…the contract I signed – did not lie. The fees I agreed to – did not change. The colors, the equipment, the products – I knew about before hand. LOA is in the business to SELL franchises. That’s what they do. Maybe it’s a poor business model – maybe it isn’t. What I do know is that I was seeing stars when I signed on the dotted line – and they were not forcing my hand to do so. When it came time that I had to close my doors because I financially couldn’t do it anymore – they very amicably let me out of my 10 year contract. They did NOT have to do that. I respect them for that. What I think they could do to be more successful in THEIR business – of finding franchisees who stick around – is to be more choosy in who they decide to let franchise. That is harder to do then say. They are enticed right now with the initial franchise fees which do bring revenue – but they need to start thinking long term…their biggest revenue will come from helping franchisees to be LONG term and be able to sell their gyms for profits – and renew 10 year contracts…their biggest revenue is going to come from R&A fees. The franchise I work for now…their franchisee fee is FREE – the catch…you have to prove you can make it day to day – by working as a GM for at least 12 months first. THEN they KNOW you can make it and you know EXACTLY what you are getting into. Take ownership for what YOU failed to see!

By: katrina

katrina — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:02:04 +0000

Thanks so much ladies for the advise. I was going through the process to open a franchise with lady of america. I changed by mind……thank good for people out there with experience.

By: Franchise Warning: Lady of America Fitness Franchise

Franchise Warning: Lady of America Fitness Franchise — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:58:20 +0000

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By: "Former Franchisee"

"Former Franchisee" — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:08:44 +0000

“Lady of America” Corporation can be likened to a ‘vampiar’. The company seduces you into the business, with promises of profit that ends up being a deficit. Once the contract is signed the life is methodically sapped from your being. First, the “support” your were promised is non-existent. Then, as you struggle to keep “alive” with the franchise fees, restrictions on sales and design, royalties, and operational fees to “National Fitness” your realize you are dying finacially. It was the worst experience of my life, and I’ve had tragedy before.

By: Janeane

Janeane — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:56:26 +0000

THIS FAD IS DYING!!!! Curves started a monster. With all the knock offs you have no chance to be successful in this business. Do not open any type of ladies only circuit. They are a joke for the owners. You will be set up to fail. This poor lady was probably losing her butt financially. Do you know how many people refinanced their homes to get into a business they had no experience in. If you want a gym you better know the business. Reserch your town because I can tell you that the established competition will put a new fly by night franchise out of business. Curves is going down fast and closing down left & right so are these little copy cat centers. Whatever you do Don’t buy one. They cost more than they make. I started one and thankfully I was an independant and was able to expand to a co-ed facility adding classes and grow rather than close down because my ladies circuit was getting too boring and members were cancelling by record numbers. I do have experience and was able to save my business. Good Luck.

By: Franchises Invade Miami! Here’s the List: at PIGASYS

Franchises Invade Miami! Here’s the List: at PIGASYS — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:33:58 +0000

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By: Franchises Invade Miami! Here’s the List:

Franchises Invade Miami! Here’s the List: — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:04:55 +0000

By: jgo

jgo — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:43:27 +0000

I went there every single day on my lunch. It was my regimen. To go there and find that it was closed really ticked me off! With no kind of warning? I just couldn’t believe it. I was never totally happy with the gym. But it served my purpose and it was close to work. But, to just up and close it with no warming? This is unacceptable customer service and if they do want to hang on to any customers they better compensate them in some way or another because I for one will not go back unless it’s an offer I can’t refuse. And the website.. it says it will be updated accordingly.. ugh I haven’t seen one update. How about an apology, how about an explanation, how about some new information! Something.. it just says “sorry we’re closed and looking for a bigger place” WELL THAT ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH! Do something! Obviously these people don’t have a clue about running a business, or franchise! Or Customer service!

[orininally posted at http://www.pigasys.com

By: ExFranchisee

ExFranchisee — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:21:15 +0000

People need to understand the nature of the beast that is “Lady of America”. The franchises are designed to fail. The corporation views franchisees as contracted victims and steals money directly from the franchise through several schemes, elevated rent with kickbacks from the landlord to the corporation, membership processing fees twice the going rate, high royalty fees, restricted equipment vendor to owners of the Deerfield Beach LOA and raised equipment costs just to name a few. They just want to lock the franchisees into a contract and steal as much money as possible. Sound familiar? They use the same tactic with the members. It is not designed to be successful, but if it fails its the owner’s fault.
Owners have the best intensions but were sold a phony business plan and trapped by a contract based on lies. The corporate has an army of lawyers instructing them how to legally lie and get away with it.
The members may feel mislead and ripped off, but for the owner, it is a thousand times worse.

By: Lady of America Franchisee Locks Door, Walks Away at PIGASYS

Lady of America Franchisee Locks Door, Walks Away at PIGASYS — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:00:57 +0000

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