HOBOKEN, N.J., May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CKO Kickboxing sold its first franchise only three years ago. But today, it is one of America's hottest franchises according to industry standard.
Entrepreneur Magazine broke into the Franchise 500 list of best franchises - an unheard-of feat for a franchise that is less than five years old, said owner Joseph Andreula. The magazine also rated CKO Kickboxing, http://www.ckokickboxing.com, as the 48th hottest new franchise in 2011.
There are 23 locations in the New York/New Jersey Area, and now the company is planning to expand these successful fitness group class franchises nationwide. Andreula is looking for quick expansion - but not at any cost.
"Before we choose a location, we choose a key person who we know can shine. Our franchisees must be passionate, inspirational and want to help others," he says. "Many of our franchisees started as club members. One woman lost 80 pounds at one of our gyms! She bought a franchise. She didn't expect to change her life. Our franchisees strive to do the same thing for other people. Our people want to help people."
That extends to a key difference between CKO Kickboxing and basic gyms.
"Gyms want to sell you a membership and then they don't want you to return. We actually count on people coming in and getting results," he says.
Another key factor in selecting franchisees is that they must be coachable, as Andreula sees the training program as a coaching program, which also sets this franchise opportunity apart from others.
"We provide a three-week training program to cover every important part of the business. But then we do so much more. It's not a model. It's a coaching program that adapts to each person's needs and the issues they face with their business. One person might be competing against a low-priced gym. Another person might be competing against a high-priced gym. We make weekly group calls and individual coaching calls as well. We check up on people and make sure they are doing what needs to be done. Knowing what to do means nothing if you're not being held accountable for doing it. We make sure they are doing everything they can to be successful," he said.
"Our franchisees get really inspired and excited by the fitness results their members are getting. They draw their energy from the incredible feeling of transforming people's lives on a daily basis. Helping members achieve their goals becomes their passion in life. That's the common feedback I get from franchisees," said Andreula, who coaches them based on his 26 years of experience in kickboxing and 20 years of being in the gym business.
Joseph focuses on each franchisee's unique traits and talents to make sure they get the location and business circumstances that are perfect for them. For example, some people are better in the urban environment and others are better suited for suburbs.
Because of screening and coaching, he's never closed a franchise, which is unheard of in this economy.
Part of the success comes about because Andreula practices what he preaches. He started boxing when he was a child.
"It was a way to release stress. I spent many nights listening to Donna Summer in my basement, letting it all out," he laughs. "Seriously though, I know how to help people who are overactive, who are going through a hard time or who are depressed. I was able to help people far more than just getting them into shape. They were getting mental health results as well - peace of mind. Some of them stopped going to therapy sessions with psychologists. They couldn't talk it out. They needed to be able to punch it out."
Joseph Andreula started his first CKO Kickboxing in 1997 and CKO Franchises in 2006.
The demand for kickboxing is huge because of the proven results the workout gives. He's had successful operations in every kind of market - rural, urban, and suburban and with different sized gyms that fit each market.
He's looking for hands-on franchisees who want to make a difference in people's lives.
"I know that each day, I am going to change someone's life. Other people may work for a paycheck, I'm lucky to be able to join them on their health transformation," he says.
For more information about franchising or to find a gym near you, go to http://www.ckokickboxing.com