How to Open a Jazzercise Franchise

Jazzercise, Inc. was founded in 1977 by Judi Sheppard Missett in Evanston, Illinois. The company has been franchising since 1983. Jazzercise specializes in dance and aerobic classes. Today, Jazzercise has more than 6,800 franchises in the United States and in 30 other countries around the world. Read on to learn how to open a Jazzercise franchise.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide if you want to open an instructor franchise (which means you are an instructor and owner) or a business franchise (which means you can own the franchise without teaching classes). Review the relevant information on Jazzercise Inc.'s website to make your decision.

2. Download an application off the company's website, complete it and send it to them for review by a Jazzercise franchise representative.

3. Understand that typically Jazzercise Inc. has only a 0.660 percent failure rate per year.

4. Understand that you will need an initial franchise fee of $1,000 to start the franchise in the United States and $500 to start the franchise in another country. You will need to provide your own equipment, insurance (available through Jazzercise), promotions and a facility. Know that 20 percent of gross revenues will need to be paid to Jazzercise monthly as well as a $200 to $800 annual cost to purchase music.

5. Apply for a business loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) or through a bank if you decide to open up a fitness center and need financial help to do so.

6. Receive two to three weeks of home study training and attend a three-day Jazzercise seminar.

7. Receive ongoing support in the way of newsletters, company meetings, a toll-free phone line for assistance, field operators to evaluate the facility, and security and safety procedures. You will also receive co-op advertising and national media exposure.

Tips & Warnings

• You can rent a facility by-the-hour for your franchise to limit your costs or lease a commercial site to open a fitness center. Your franchise can even be run right out of your home.
• Jazzercise Inc. was ranked number 35 in a list of best franchises to own in the Franchise 500 rank from "Entrepreneur Magazine" in 2007. In 2006, they were 25; in 2005, 26; in 2004, 25; and in 2003, 27. They were also ranked 5 in the category of Fastest-Growing Franchises; 9 in Top Home-Based Franchises; 12 in Low-Cost Franchises; and 23 in America's Top Global Franchises in 2007.
• Only a small percentage of franchisees own more than one Jazzercise unit.
• Absentee ownership of a Jazzercise franchise is not allowed.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• Jazzercise Inc. Website

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on 5/10/2009 This is largely accurate with only a few corrections: (1) A mic is not an "annual" expense. Instructors typically purchase their microphone (anywhere from $150 to $600, depending on what you get), and use it for many years with proper care.(2) A certified Jazzercise instructor does not "take a home study course and attend a seminar." They do study and take an extensive physiology exam while also learning 10 Jazzercise routines. The "seminar" is an audition, in which they must first perform and teach the routines they have learned, demonstrating their ability to instruct and motivate a class. If they have passed the physiology exam and then the audition, they remain at the workshop for the weekend to learn business and teaching skills.(3) They may or may not receive co-op advertising dollars. That is something that is handled differently in each district, and some districts do n...