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2025 Franchise 500 Rank
#390 Ranked #446 last year
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Initial investment
$162K - $711K
Units as of 2024
116 Increase 103.5% over 3 years

D1 Training began when Will Bartholomew started practicing with the Denver Broncos after four years of playing for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Reflecting upon how he came to be part of an NFL team, Bartholomew felt that athletes needed a platform to experience intense, focused training. 

D1 Training was founded in 2001 and began franchising in 2015. D1 Training has grown to more than 40 locations across the United States, training over 100 draft picks and thousands of college athletes. D1 Training offers specialized scholastic athlete training alongside adult fitness and aims to bring training facilities to neighborhoods. 

This franchise relishes helping athletes achieve their primary goal of realizing their full potential, both physically and psychologically. D1 Training seeks sports-passionate individuals who drive to better their communities through athleticism and fitness as core values.

Why You May Want to Start a D1 Training Franchise

A D1 Training franchisee is passionate about fitness and desires to help people achieve their best possible form. You must also have enough energy to tirelessly work for the growth of your training facility, where you'll be scheduling staff, designing workouts, handling marketing and customer care, and billing systems. 

The franchise provides athletes with a place to fully train while recovering from injuries or developing stamina to optimize their performances. D1 Training considers each of their clients an athlete, despite age or reason for keeping fit. They provide services that standard gyms may not be able to handle, offering elite athletes the best instructors, workout programs, equipment, and community.

What Might Make a D1 Training Franchise a Good Choice? 

To be part of the D1 Training franchise team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements. 

Once startup costs are dealt with, running a facility may feature affordable overheads. This franchise offers franchisees exclusive territory rights and requires multiple employees for efficient operations. After the pre-opening training at D1 Training headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, you will have ongoing support in equipment purchasing, designing workouts, hiring, and vendor negotiations.

How To Open a D1 Training Franchise

Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, you must perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. As part of your due diligence, you may want to speak to existing franchisees and ask the D1 Training franchising team questions. 

If you are approved to franchise with the brand, you'll be invited to Franklin, Tennessee, to train, spend time with certified trainers, and learn the business. The franchisor will be on hand to offer guidance with pre-opening marketing, startup planning, and growing potential clients through networking.

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Company Overview

About D1 Training

Industry Health & Wellness
Related Categories Fitness , Children's Fitness Programs, Sports
Founded 2001
Leadership Will Bartholomew, Founder/CEO
Corporate Address 7115 S. Springs Dr.
Franklin, TN 37067
Social Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok

Business Overview

Franchising Since 2015 (10 years)
# of employees at HQ 32
Where seeking

This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.

# of Units 116 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a D1 Training franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Information Circle
$59,500
Initial Investment Information Circle
$161,750 - $711,123
Net Worth Requirement Information Circle
$500,000
Cash Requirement Information Circle
$250,000
Veteran Incentives Information Circle
10% off franchise fee or area development fee
Royalty Fee Information Circle
7%
Ad Royalty Fee Information Circle
2%
Term of Agreement Information Circle
10 years
Is franchise term renewable? Yes
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Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

In-House Financing D1 Training offers in-house financing to cover the following: franchise fee
Third Party Financing D1 Training has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training 38 hours
Classroom Training 37.5 hours
Ongoing Support
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed? No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Information Circle
No
Can this franchise be run part time? Information Circle
No
Are exclusive territories available? Information Circle
No
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Franchise 500 Ranking History

Compare where D1 Training landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.

Additional Rankings

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022