The largest franchise group in the Crunch Fitness system has crossed a landmark threshold. CR Fitness Holdings announced in January 2026 that it has surpassed 1 million members nationwide, contributing to Crunch Fitness’s more than 3 million members worldwide. The milestone cements Crunch’s position as one of the fastest-growing players in the high-value, low-price (HVLP) gym segment — and signals accelerating momentum for master franchise investors evaluating the brand across Asia and MENA.

The Scale Behind the Milestone

CR Fitness Holdings currently operates 93 Crunch Fitness locations across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, with additional expansion underway in Arizona and other markets. The company expects to operate roughly 110 locations by the end of 2026, with plans to add more than 100 clubs over the next five years.

“Reaching one million members is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do,” said CR Fitness CEO Tony Scrimale.

The membership figure is not just a vanity metric. It represents sustained consumer demand for Crunch’s model of premium amenities at accessible price points — a formula that has consistently outperformed the broader fitness industry in post-pandemic recovery.

Sixth Street’s $350 Million Growth Capital Injection

CR Fitness’s growth comes on the heels of a $350 million strategic investment from global investment firm Sixth Street, designed to fuel the franchisee’s next phase of expansion. The capital infusion is one of the largest single-franchisee investments in the fitness sector in recent years.

The investment will fund new club openings, geographic expansion into untapped U.S. markets, and continued upgrades to the Crunch 3.0 gym format — a next-generation design featuring enhanced strength and cardio equipment, group fitness studios, cycling studios, HydroMassage beds, saunas and HIITZone training areas.

Why the HVLP Gym Model Keeps Winning

CR Fitness’s milestone arrives as the HVLP gym category continues to outperform the broader fitness industry. According to data from the Health & Fitness Association, HVLP gyms have posted record visitation levels, with traffic running well above pre-pandemic benchmarks, particularly among younger consumers.

• Crunch Fitness now operates more than 500 gyms across the U.S. and international markets including Australia, Canada, Spain and India
• The brand ranked #20 overall in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for 2026, climbing from #32 — and #2 in the fitness category
• CR Fitness’s management team brings over 150 years of combined experience in the fitness industry
• Members have access to certified personal trainers and formats such as Zumba, yoga-based programming and TRX-based training

What This Means for International Franchise Investors

For master franchise operators evaluating Crunch Fitness opportunities in Asia and MENA, the CR Fitness playbook offers a compelling proof of concept. A single franchisee group scaling to 1 million members across 93+ locations demonstrates the brand’s unit economics, operational consistency and consumer pull at scale.

The $350 million Sixth Street investment also signals institutional confidence in the HVLP model’s durability — a critical data point for investors weighing the Crunch 3.0 format’s viability in high-density urban markets across Southeast Asia and the Gulf region.

Regional Expansion Signals

Crunch’s existing international footprint — spanning Australia, Canada, Spain and India — suggests the brand is actively seeking experienced multi-unit operators in new territories. The combination of a proven HVLP model, institutional backing from Sixth Street, and CR Fitness’s operational track record creates a strong franchise value proposition for investors targeting the wellness sector’s $5.6 trillion global market.

Source: Athletech News — CR Fitness, Crunch’s Top Franchisee, Reaches 1 Million Members