Everyone wants to be healthier, but going to the traditional gym is not for everyone. Pure Barre is a fitness program which takes the best techniques from ballet, Pilates, and yoga to create a fast, low-stress class in a friendly and inclusive environment.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
DIY: How to Start an LLC
Start a pure barre franchise by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Pure Barre Franchise
- Form your Pure Barre Franchise into a Legal Entity
- Register your Pure Barre Franchise for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Pure Barre Franchise
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Pure Barre Franchise
- Get Pure Barre Franchise Insurance
- Define your Pure Barre Franchise Brand
- Create your Pure Barre Franchise Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your pure barre franchise. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Pure Barre Franchise Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a pure barre franchise?
The cost to open a Pure Barre franchise starts at $168,000, but that does not include the cost of the location. Some franchisees can spend double this amount depending on the location of their franchise, the size of the gym, and the other factors. This is how Pure Barre breaks down the initial cost of opening a franchise:
- Franchise Fee: $46,500
- Training Expenses: $6,000 – $10,000
- Fitting Out the Location: $95,100 – $195,700
- Supplies and Equipment: $5,000 – $13,500
- Insurance: $1000 – $3000
- Other Fees and Operation Expenses: $12,000 – $25,000
- Grand Opening: $2,500 – $5,000
What are the ongoing expenses for a pure barre franchise?
Each franchisee is responsible for paying a royalty fee of seven percent and an advertising fee of one percent of all gross sales. Besides these fees, there are the normal business expenses of rent, labor, utilities, and insurance.
Who is the target market?
The target market is financially stable women who are interested in living a healthy lifestyle which incorporates working our three to four times per week.
How does a pure barre franchise make money?
Pure Barre franchises owners have multiple income streams. Clients can pre-order a set number of classes or join for a set membership price which allows them to attend unlimited classes. Franchisees also earn money through the sale of Pure Barre brand exercise clothing, accessories and other equipment.
How much can you charge customers?
Prices for Pure Barre fitness varies based on the location, the type of membership and the number of classes members attend. In LA, the costs range from $25 per class, if the class is purchased individually, to $15 per class if the member buys 30 classes at a time. At the same location, an unlimited monthly pass costs $225.
The price for apparel and accessories are moderately priced from a few dollars for socks to around a hundred for Pure Barre training equipment.
How much profit can a pure barre franchise make?
According to one analysis, with an average of 24 people per class, a Pure Barre franchise can earn over $3.600 a week in profit. That is over $177,000 per year. With an average of 15 people per class, the per week profit is just under $1,500 per week, or just shy of $70,00 a year.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Pure Barre franchisees can promote the sale of apparel and accessories, in addition to opening more classes which are geared to specific demographics like brides or new mothers.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your pure barre franchise is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your pure barre franchise were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a Pure Barre business, if you’re opening your own studio. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Certificate of Occupancy
Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a Pure Barre business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your Pure Barre business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
Liability Waivers
To avoid liability and potential lawsuits, Pure Barre business should have their clients sign waivers.
An example of an appropriate waiver can be found here.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Pure Barre Franchise needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Pure Barre Franchise.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a pure barre franchise
Marketing is usually handled by corporate, which will help set up franchisee’s website and provide additional marketing materials and advice.
How to keep customers coming back
Providing a welcoming gym with good instructors, a convenient schedule, and value for the cost is essential for retaining customers.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Pure Barre is the perfect business opportunity for anyone who is looking to get into a fitness-based franchise which stands out from hundreds of other gyms. Fitness enthusiasts, as well as those who want to promote healthy and positive lifestyles, will fit in well with the company’s philosophy as long as they have a business background and enough money to fund the opportunity.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a pure barre franchise?
The beauty of owning a Pure Barre franchise is it allows owners to combine their fitness-loving lifestyle with a unique way to earn a living. Some ambitious owners choose to become certified Pure Barre teachers and spend part of their time teaching and doing administrative work, but many owners leave the teaching to their employees. There is no requirement that owners teach classes. Most Pure Barre franchisees find there is more than enough which needs their attention including marketing, managing the staff, and dealing with customers.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful pure barre franchise?
One of the best things about buying into a franchise is the company wants every single owner to succeed. This is true especially true with Pure Barre, and is the reason the company is careful in choosing only to do business with people who have a background in running a business. Knowing how to manage a business and how to deal with people is important in this business. Owners have to motivate not only their staff, but also their clients every day.
What is the growth potential for a pure barre franchise?
There is a great amount of growth in the boutique fitness craze. These smaller, specialized gyms are really taking a bite out of the market share of the larger, impersonal mega-gyms. In 2022, a report noted that the global boutique fitness studio market was valued at $49.3 billion in 2021, with forecasts predicting this number to grow.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a pure barre franchise?
The parent company can help new franchisees get off on the right foot by providing a proven business plan. Owners can benefit from learning as much as they can about the system in order to be able to answer any customer questions and make sure instructors are doing a good job in class.
How and when to build a team
A fully certified and enthusiastic team is critical to the successful running of a Pure Barre franchise from the beginning. The corporate headquarters can help franchisees hire qualified people.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
Real World Examples
- An Interview With A Successful PureBarre Franchise Owner
- How I Decided to Become a Pure Barre Instructor