Why is the Curves Franchise in Such Bad Shape?

This was the topic of a recent Wall Street Journal Online article (see http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303365804576432062058517684.html?mod=googlenews_wsj). Curves CEO Gary Heavin blames it on the franchisees, "Unfortunately, not every independent business owner is willing to do the hard work that owning a business requires,". He also say that Curves "attracted a lot of the wrong people—investors who wanted to make a buck or get rich quick." (How dare those greedy club owners want to make money!)

Quite frankly, if I were a Curves franchisee, I would be very insulted. Instead of admitting that they over-saturated territories, charged exorbitantly high fees, forced inferior, non-adjustable equipment on franchisees and gave very little support, they put the blame on the club owners. Yeah, right; it's the fault of the club owners that they went from over 10,000 clubs to less than 4,000 in a few years.

He now says that he is going to "re-invent" Curves with a new weight loss program. Read: He is going to shove more products down the throat of the franchisees.

The failure of Curves comes as no surprise to fitness industry experts; this was predicted years ago when they first appeared on the scene with non-adjustable equipment and a one-size-fits-all program.

If you have ever known anyone who has worked for or worked out at Curves, the most common thing you hear members say is that they hit a plateau. Anyone in the fitness industry will tell you that progressive resistance and variety are the keys to long-term results and member retention. Here is a quote from a former Curves club owner who closed her club and lost everything, “Members hit a plateau, stopped getting results, got bored and dropped out- membership fell off dramatically”.

To see what other former (and existing) Curves owners have to say about the corporate office, visit http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/curves-robert-lays-story/

Still Thinking of a Curves Franchise?

I just saw this post on UnHappyFranchisee.com from a Curves owner:

Author: n
Comment:
Ive managed and owned a Curves for 13 years I love my job but Curves over sold territory (5 clubs in a 25 mile radius) around me taking my membership from 800 to 300 in two years.one club opened 2 miles from me on my border her territory town was ten miles away. Shes closer to my town border than her own.They never enforced dues transfers, now the very contracts I sold my members saying their dues will never go up as long as they are a Curves member..is now up to the transferred to clubs to honor or not... I get no protection no non compete from Curves.. Now with the economy cannibalizing my membership, I will not be renewing my agreement. Love the concept of Curves (by the way I was at the training when Gary swore he would never increase the cost of a Curves franchise...) Tired of being lied to, and not supported by corporate

No comments necessary....

Not so "Secret" Millionaire

I watched the "Secret Millionaire" segment last night featuring Gary and Diane Heavin. I found the whole thing self-serving and sad; it was more a promotion of "Curves" than anything else. I would have liked to have seen them give some money back to the thousands of Curves owners who lost everything and had to close their clubs.

To see what Curves franchise owners have to say about their generous leader, check out: http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/curves-gary-heavin-secret-millionaire/

Will the Curves "Secret Millionaire" help thousands of closed club owners?

Just received this email from Unhappy Franchisee:

"Curves founder Gary Heavin and his wife Diane will soon be featured in an episode of the new “inspirational” ABC series “Secret Millionaire.”
According to the promo, the Heavins will search for "deserving people who need their help" and reward them with "tens of thousands of dollars of their own money."
Unhappy Franchisee asks: Do Curves franchisees perceive Heavin’s Secret Millionaire participation as positive brand exposure that will benefit existing clubs?
Or is it an insult to the thousands of failed or failing Curves franchise owners who are now, themselves, suffering financial hardship?

Feel watch the promo clip and share your view here: http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/curves-gary-heavin-secret-millionaire/
Gary Heavin on ABC Secret Millionaire: What do CURVES Franchisees Think?"

Good question.