S1Ep236 Leading Fitness Franchise Growth with Tom Dowd
Release Date: 06/19/2025
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info_outlineFitness franchise growth is not just about expanding locations—it's about building brands, innovating experiences, and creating global communities. Few leaders understand this better than Tom Dowd, CEO of FIT House of Brands, who is steering the future of fitness franchising through a bold combination of strategy, technology, and culture.
Tom Dowd’s career has been defined by growth and transformation. As the former COO of GNC and co-founder of Performance Inspired Nutrition alongside Mark Wahlberg, Dowd knows what it takes to scale health and wellness brands at the highest levels. Now, as the CEO of FIT House of Brands, he leads three powerhouse fitness concepts—F45 Training, FS8 Pilates, and VAURA Pilates—under a unified platform designed for accelerated global expansion.
At the core of Dowd’s approach to fitness franchise growth is a deep focus on brand experience and operational excellence. Each brand under the FIT umbrella offers a distinct fitness journey: F45 delivers high-intensity functional training, FS8 blends Pilates, yoga, and toning for a complete mind-body workout, and VAURA offers athletic reformer Pilates with a multi-sensory studio environment. Together, these offerings meet the evolving needs of modern fitness consumers, while creating opportunities for franchisees to diversify and scale within the FIT ecosystem.
Dowd emphasizes that sustainable fitness franchise growth requires more than just a compelling workout. It demands innovation at every level—from data-driven programming and immersive studio technology to franchisee training and member engagement strategies. FIT House of Brands has built a proprietary platform that combines content libraries, analytics, and member-facing technology to enhance the studio experience and drive deeper brand loyalty.
Building a connected wellness ecosystem is a major part of Dowd’s vision. By partnering with strategic investors, corporate partners, and technology innovators, FIT House of Brands is expanding beyond the studio walls to support members’ holistic wellness journeys. This ecosystem approach not only strengthens member retention but also enhances the value proposition for franchisees looking for robust, future-proof business models.
Tom Dowd’s leadership philosophy centers on community, scalability, and operational precision. He believes that franchisees are the lifeblood of a fitness brand's success, and the system must be designed to empower owners at every stage of their journey. Through streamlined onboarding, data-supported decision-making, and ongoing education, FIT House of Brands is building a network of owners equipped to thrive in a competitive fitness market.
Fitness franchise growth also depends heavily on brand agility. Dowd is keenly aware of shifting consumer demands—more focus on personalization, technology integration, wellness beyond physical fitness, and community connection. His strategy ensures that each FIT brand evolves with the market while maintaining operational simplicity for franchise owners.
Another critical factor in Dowd’s success has been his ability to create scalable brand architectures. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all models, he and his team have developed adaptable systems that allow each franchise location to maintain consistency while catering to the specific demographics and needs of its local market. This level of flexibility enables brands under FIT House of Brands to thrive across 55 countries and counting.
Tom Dowd’s approach to fitness franchise growth is a blueprint for how health and wellness brands can move beyond traditional models and build sustainable global platforms. By integrating innovation, community, operational excellence, and strategic expansion, he is redefining what success looks like in the fitness franchising space.
As the fitness and wellness industries continue to evolve, leaders like Tom Dowd will shape the future by focusing not only on the product or service, but on the entire ecosystem that supports it. Fitness franchise growth, at its best, creates lasting impact—helping people live better lives while creating meaningful business opportunities around the world.
Watch the full episode on YouTube.
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About Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd is the CEO of FIT House of Brands, one of the world’s largest fitness and wellness franchisors, home to F45 Training, FS8 Pilates, and VAURA Pilates. With decades of experience scaling global brands, including as COO of GNC and co-founder of Performance Inspired Nutrition with Mark Wahlberg, Tom is a dynamic leader driving innovation, brand evolution, and franchise growth worldwide. Under his leadership, FIT House of Brands operates over 1,500 studios across more than 55 countries, delivering cutting-edge fitness experiences and building a connected wellness ecosystem that meets the diverse needs of today’s consumers.
To explore more about Tom Dowd and FIT House of Brands, visit FunctionalInspiredTraining.com.
About Ford Saeks
Ford Saeks is a Business Growth Accelerator who has helped generate over a billion dollars in sales for organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. With more than 20 years of experience, he’s redefined what it means to drive success—combining strategic marketing, innovation, and real-world business acumen.
As the President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford helps businesses attract loyal customers, expand brand visibility, and improve performance at every level. He’s founded over ten companies, authored five books, earned three U.S. patents, and received numerous industry accolades for his work in marketing, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
A trailblazer in digital innovation, Ford is also an expert in AI prompt engineering, training businesses to use tools like ChatGPT to create high-impact content and elevate customer engagement. He recently shared his expertise at the “Unleash AI for Business Summit,” where he spoke on the role of AI in transforming operations, marketing, and the customer experience.
To learn more, visit ProfitRichResults.com and watch his business TV show at Fordify.tv.