Franchise Pick

28 opinions for CURVES FRANCHISE OWNERS: Share Your Story Here

• Bridget
  Jul 15, 2008 at 3:13 pm

  Sean, you devil! This is going to be sooo interesting. Be sure to keep us all posted over at Biz Chicks Rule. Maybe we can flirt again with the idea of topic-tug-’o-warring, eh?

  http://www.bizchicksrule.com/curves-franchise-for-women-who-would-buy-that/

• Sadderbutwiser
  Jul 19, 2008 at 10:56 pm

  Worst decision I ever made. We went from franchise of the year to financial ruin in just four years.

  The past two years have been an unending nightmare of fear, utter despair, sleepless nights, angry creditor calls, and weekend knocks on the door at night from process servers delivering foreclosure lawsuit notifications. My young family may never recover.

  If you’re thinking about buying a struggling franchise because you just KNOW you can turn things around, for God’s sake DON’T DO IT.

• unhappycurvesownerz
  Jul 22, 2008 at 9:12 pm

  Sadderbutwiser I’m relitively new to this site so I haven’t read all your posts but believe me I do feel for you and your family. But I have seen the good or bright side that Curves can do in helping women feeling, looking and actually getting healthier. The consept is great but the leadership went south around 03. Just maybe the new group action lawsuit will turn this company around but if not heaven help the currenrt owners as there will be a lot more following in your footsteps. Have you considered joining the group?

• Sadderbutwiser
  Jul 23, 2008 at 11:10 pm

  If you’re talking about the Zarco & Einhorn group action lawsuit, I was informed by an attorney at their South Florida office that only owners who closed their clubs and did not sell them could take part.

  We sold our two strongest clubs for 50 cents each plus the assumption of about $78,000 in debt. What’s ironic is the new owner who offered those gangster-like, take-it-or-leave-it terms plans to close one of those 50-cent clubs at the end of August. So the new owner can take part in the lawsuit if she learns about it, but we’re SOL. Incredible!

  With Curves, it’s OK to be a member, just don’t become an OWNER.

• robert
  Jul 24, 2008 at 8:44 pm

  Dear Sadderbutwiser,
  Please contact me as I believe you got bad advice. from what I have been told if you can prove losses and sold the club you may still be able to join the law suit but there is a 4 year statuation of limitations but I was told even that is in dispute and could be argued successfully in court. Good luck in the future.

• Sadderbutwiser
  Jul 25, 2008 at 11:14 pm

  Thanks for the info. How do I contact you? Or should I call Zarco and Einhorn again?

• robert
  Jul 29, 2008 at 10:06 am

  TO ALL CURVES OWNERS

  IF YOU HAVE RECIEVED E-MAILS CONCERNING THE CURVES LAWSUIT PLEASE POST YOUR STORY HERE. IN ORDER FOR US TO GET THINGS ROLLING WE NEED RESPONCES FROM ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE CONTACTED ME. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE YOUR REAL NAMES SO CI WON’T BE ABLE TO RELILIATE AGAINST YOUR CLUBS.

• Mary
  Aug 5, 2008 at 3:00 pm

  Total Scam! 200-300 Curves owners are suing in several states, 1000’s either folded the business or sold it for $1.00. Scam, scam, scam. Why is Curves still in business ?, because the orginal owners sell it (to a believer), then the new owner (after being scamed) sells it to a second owner (so on and so on.)

• Braewood
  Aug 5, 2008 at 5:09 pm

  My husband and I purchased a franchsie a year ago. Although hard work - we have found the experience to be positive. Probably half of the owners we meet were lazy, unmotivated - and think it is the franchises job to bring them business. If you can networ, are friendly and ready to work - this is still a good opportunity.Like anything - you get out of it what you put into it.

  Braewood

• unhappycurvesownerz
  Aug 5, 2008 at 10:10 pm

  Dear Braewood,
  I’m glad to hear it’s that I’m lazy and unmotivated. You need to open your eyes and your ears. The smart equipment that is “new technology” is actually 10 years old. didn’t work tnan and isn’t working now. The add fee you pay each month has no accounting so rfranchisee have no idea where irt is being spent but the majoirty of owners never see the ads. The franchises have been over sold in all metro areas and dreas that could not ever surport a club have been sold. Some have had as little as 3000 in population. The top managment that sued curves for 20 million for wrongly firing them settled out of court for a large sum. All of them were present when greed took over common since and Heavin started to sell franchise areas that should have never been sold. Before you post why don’t you do some research on what is happening with Curves. It’s your investment, your money and time, at least take the time to research why curves is now considered one of top four worst franchises to buy. 2 clubs are closing on the average every day 365 days a year. If you really believe that it’s because the owners are lazy and unmotivated you need to see a shrink. I just hope for your sake that you open your eyes before your boat springs a leak and we can call you lazy and unmotivated.

• unhappycurvesownerz
  Aug 5, 2008 at 10:14 pm

  Dear Braewood,
  I’m glad to hear it’s that I’m lazy and unmotivated. You need to open your eyes and your ears. The smart equipment that is “new technology” is actually 10 years old. Didn’t work than and isn’t working now. The add fee you pay each month has no accounting so franchisee have no idea where irt is being spent but the majoirty of owners never see the ads. The franchises have been over sold in all metro areas and areas that could not ever support a club have been sold. Some have had as little as 3000 in population. The top managment that sued curves for 20 million for wrongly firing them settled out of court for a large sum. All of them were present when greed took over common since and Heavin started to sell franchise areas that should have never been sold. Before you post why don’t you do some research on what is happening with Curves. It’s your investment, your money and time, at least take the time to research why curves is now considered one of top four worst franchises to buy. 2 clubs are closing on the average every day 365 days a year. If you really believe that it’s because the owners are lazy and unmotivated you need to see a shrink. I just hope for your sake that you open your eyes before your boat springs a leak and we can call you lazy and unmotivated.

• OneMoreUnhappyOwner
  Aug 13, 2008 at 4:22 pm

  As most of the other owners who have written a comment I AM AN UNHAPPY FORMER CURVES OWNER. I never received any support from Curves International. They sell you on believing they are a good investment but being careful never to let you know that you can not even run your club on the revenue it will generate! I had 4 culbs within a 2 mile radius of my club and that just won’t work, the membership numbers are not there. As far as being lazy….60+ hours a week in my club and the book work on the side is not lazy. I had a club for 4 1/2 years and made money only the first year…6,000. After that I have lost more than 30,000 per year and now Curves wants to charge me either 10,000, 5,000 or 35,400 to close! They can’t even get their act together long enough to figure out how to “stick it” to former owners more than they already have. With finish out etc I lost over $100k with this great christian orginization. If you are thinking about owning a club take the advice of many who have been there…join as a member but let someone else loose money as an owner.

• unhappycurvesownerz
  Aug 14, 2008 at 10:41 pm

  OneMoreUnhappyOwner,

  Thank you for posting your story and I hope you are considering the group lawsuit. The over-selling of teritories is one of the major complaints and the bad thing is that Curves knew they were doing it but their greed took over.

• Gina
  Aug 21, 2008 at 2:03 pm

  I’m sorry to learn about the adverse financial impact that Curves ownership has brought on it’s owners. Since you all have worked hard in the fitness industry to develop a successful business, I would appreciate some advise…

  Would starting up a “women’s only” gym (I wouldn’t go the franchise route) about the the size of an average Curves, in a booming Florida area be wise?

• unhappy
  Aug 22, 2008 at 9:33 am

  Gina,
  My advice to you would of course be no. It’s a ruff business and there are lots of other franchises which you could but that would be much better of an inverstment, go to franchisepick.com and look at the successful models that have a good reputation for being an honest company.

• Ellen
  Sep 5, 2008 at 7:29 pm

  I just purchased a Curves 17 months ago and I love it! The owner was absentee and didn’t follow anything that Curves laid out. I did exactly what Curves said (flyers, lead boxes, prizes, press releases, and group rates) and my club went from 127 members to 307 members! Get this, I paid 30k for it, put 12k in it (which inclides the Curves Smart) and I make just over 4 k a month. I work anywhere from 15 to 45 hours on any given week. It was the best decision I every made. It has been alot of work, but I enjoy it and it doesn’t seem like work for me. If you don’t have time and energy don’t buy one. These businesses need consistent marketing.

  The franchisor has been there for me anytime I need them. They don’t breathe down my neck either. It is not for everyone. If you don’t ahve a passion for fitness don’t even consider it. It you think it will build itself don’t waste your time. We jsut got Curves Smart in August and the members love it.

  I am glad I didn’t read these blogs or I might not have purchased it. It worked for me. That’s all I can say.

• sean
  Sep 6, 2008 at 2:23 am

  Ellen:
  Congratulations on your success. Where is your club located?
  Feel free to give it a plug here. Sounds like a great club.

• Curves Owner
  Oct 1, 2008 at 10:50 pm

  I believed in Curves and all their propaganda. 6 years later I am broke, lost my home. I managed to sell one of my clubs last year walked away with $5000, put that money like an idiot into my other floundering club. Found out about the lawsuit joined it, then lost my home, found a buyer for the 2nd one, only to find out Curves sucker punched me again. Told verbally by resale dept it was approved and legal as well. Thought all documents were done, they even gave a temp fr. number to buyer, they turn around after everything I thought was done and said…not so fast…we forgot you didn’t sign this waiver releasing us from the lawsuit with you. Mind you after the dust settles, I make $18,000 after dumping $300,00 plus into this club. I lost my home, had to relocate, I don’t have a job and Lawyer doesn’t even seem to fight for me having to sign these papers. I am confused. Why would Curves be allowed to blackmail me now to sign these. Once again they went back on their word. I would think these attorneys would know them by now. Instead I am having to defend myself to my own attorney. Help!!! I need help…any ideas??? Should I seek another attorney? I just want away from this club, but I lost so much money and my home. I can’t take the stress anymore.

• Italy
  Oct 6, 2008 at 9:10 am

  I’ll start by saying that I bought my Curves in Italy 5 years ago and it has totally ruined us financially. Curves totally misrepresented the program to us and the cost of operating in Italy. We were told that an initial investment of 30,000 to 50,000 USD to start, but after 100,000 in we still weren’t making money. We were not allowed to use the diet, vitamins, Diane magazine or any other Curves perk from here. Than shipping costs for Curves products were so insane and they wouldn’t allow you to have it done here. No one has ever addressed our issues and now that we are financially bankrupt and closed our club, they send a letter today saying they want 29,700. in franchise fees (the remainder of the contract) or they are going to sue us. First resales asked for 10,000 now they want more. They can’t figure out that we are financially ruined even though we have told them well over a dozen times. Your in the wrong location, move the club they said, so we did and got even further in debt and it still didn’t help. In 6 years Curves hasn’t even managed to grow past 13 clubs, all of which are financially strapped as well. We are the 3rd to close and the only growth has been a few that were urged by Curves to buy more. France in 4 years has 106 and Australia in 2 years had over 200. Gee I wonder what that says about the support team that they put in place in Italy. I can’t join the lawsuit because I am an International club and plus I don’t have any money for legal consul. Those clubs who do well are few and far between. Many struggle and many just get by. This club has been an all consuming time and money pit and had Curves been honest and upfront with what it takes (like they do now, hence the reason they can’t grow here) I would have never bought a Curves franchise. Having dealt with Curves politics, I would not ever even buy a successful running Curves in the USA because I believe that the dishonest practices and integrity level of some of Curves representatives match the “I am a Christian on a mission for God” statement that the founder Gary Heavin has been quoted as saying. How can someone who says he wants to help women send letters with such disregard for the financial well being of the very women he says he wants to help. Being in good shape and bankrupt is a pretty sad legacy for him to leave behind and yet that is the message he sends when he has his legal team print out their template letter of how you aren’t upholding your end of the contract and they are going to sue you. They seem to think they are exempt from holding up their end and refuse to give compensation or say their sorry when they have done something wrong.

• Sue G
  Oct 7, 2008 at 12:45 pm

  Please Send me information about the lawsuit. I am closing my nonprofit center. I am just tired out.

• unhappycurvesownerz
  Oct 8, 2008 at 9:32 am

  To Italy and Sue,
  Just because you are an international club does not elliminate you from the lawsuit. You can still join and should join to recover your losses. Sue you need to send Sean kelly at this site an email requesting it to be forwarded to me and I will get you the info on the lawsuit. Curves International is now actually taking owners to court over the 10,000 dollar fee for closing and trying to get judgements so they can take your home, car or anything else of value. As owners it’s time we stand up fight this morally and ethically wrong company which is owned by Howard Heavin

• Owner
  Oct 13, 2008 at 4:41 am

  What court are they taking owners to? Where? Is it in your state or in Texas? Small claims?

• tb
  Oct 13, 2008 at 3:43 pm

  What do I do to get in to the lawsuit?

• unhappy
  Oct 13, 2008 at 5:44 pm

  ATTENTION UNHAPPY CURVES OWNERS

  Calling on all curves owners who have had problems with [Name withheld] and Curves International. We all know what a crook, unethical, illegal and immoral business person he is but there are some companies who don’t know who the real [Name withheld] is. He is trying to partner with a company called Silver Sneakers Fitness Program for advertising purposes. Silver Sneakers is a replicable business and if you don’t know who they are you can go to their web site by typing in Sliver Sneakers in your search box. As soon as you are done reading this post please either call them, send them a fax or an email telling them what you think of Curves International and [Name withheld]. We need to put a stop to [Name withheld] from taking advantage of the seniors who belong to Silver Sneakers. I can’t stress this enough so all of you who have joined the group lawsuit and those who wanted too but can’t afford to please act on this now before [Name withheld] takes advantage of them also.
  Thank you,
  Unhappy

• unhappy
  Oct 14, 2008 at 10:10 am

  SILVER SNEAKERS FITNESS PROGRAM
  [Del]
  http://www.silversneaker.com

• Closedclubowner
  Oct 14, 2008 at 12:58 pm

  I am happy to say I joined Zarco in our lawsuit. I opened my club in 2003. I went from 758 members to 127 in October of 07. I too followed every rule, spent thousands buying Curves’ products to be given away. In 5 years I never saw my regional rep. Not once did they ever step in my doors. On my grand opening week I had a woman File a lawsuit against me said she fell…good thing a had cameras. The lawsuit was tossed but when I called CI in a panick, they said “We are sorry your being sued, we can’t help you, have a blessed day.” I should have known then and there I was on my own with this franchise. I must be another one of those lazy owners who put in 60 + hours a week. Giving away money every month into a advertising fund that I never benefited from. Curves was wonderful at selling us. Too bad they couldnt help us retain members. Their idea of member retention was playing silly circuit games, giving away prizes, calenders, magazines all so they could make more money from us through “Ideas in Action”. I closed my club last year and it was the best thing I ever did. I still have the equipment as a sad reminder. Which I would gladly give away but no-one wants it! I’m 110K in debt barely hanging on to my home. Thanks to Curves selling 5 locations within a 20 country mile radius, pretty bad considering each community has less that 5,000 residents.
  Heavin was right about one thing…I am blessed. I have a great legal firm representing me and my fellow owners. I can only hope this will end before I too lose my home.

• owner
  Oct 14, 2008 at 1:46 pm

  Closedclubowner - Did they charge you the 10,000 to close? If so, did you pay it and how far did they take it. I am hearing of them closing all around me and I finally had to close. They are wanting this fee from me which I do not have. I have been approached about the lawsuit but am not sure what I am going to do. I just want it to be over.

• Closedclubowner
  Oct 15, 2008 at 10:58 am

  No they did not charge me. However, they did more than once insist that I return all the equipment all 24 pieces via freight at my expense. I told them I bought and paid for that equipment and it’s mine! I referred them to Robert Zarco. Our attorneys told them to stop communicating with me that all communications will be through them. What a relief.
  They were getting nasty. I have not heard from them since. Vulchers! I also closed out my business account so Curves could not draft me. That didn’t go over well either. But there isn’t anything they can do. BTW we won Curves motion to dismiss!!! Motion Denied Woo Hoo!!

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