ShapeXpress Fitness Franchise Closes Tulsa Club
(FranchisePick.Com) Literally hundreds of franchise websites, franchise books and entrepreneurial magazines cite bogus franchise survival statistics, which they allege are from the SBA or the US Department of Commerce, that show that buying a franchise is almost a fail-proof method for starting a new business. The truth is, wherever there is reward, there’s risk. Buying a franchise is a great way to go into business for yourself, but no one’s success is assured. You need to do your homework so that you’re joining the right franchise organization with the right business concept at the right time.
The failures of troubled “hot new franchise concepts” like 30 minute fitness clubs and eBay drop-off stores serve as sad reminders of the importance of making sure the franchise you choose is the right one for you, and is positioned for long-term success. The FranBest Franchise Guide is a free resource with essential information and tips on how to find the best - and avoid the worst - in franchising. You can then analyze the details and request more information on more than 400 active franchise concepts in the FranBest Franchise Directory.
We have been reporting on problems of Curves, Contours Express, Butterfly Life and ShapeXpress (IS SHAPEXPRESS A GREAT FITNESS FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY? fitness franchise concepts. We were saddened to learn that Art and Diane Hansen closed the doors of their Tulsa, OK ShapeXpress franchise after three years in business. We wish Art & Diane our best wishes, and the best in all future endeavors.
Source: The Journal Times
ShapeXpress franchise closes its doors
By Journal Times staff
Monday, December 31, 2007 10:28 PM CST
RACINE — A local fitness center, ShapeXpress for Women, has closed after three years in business.
Saturday was the last day for the local franchise of the Tulsa, Okla.-based franchise owned by Art and Diane Hansen. They said they closed the doors at 4915 Washington Ave. after trying “everything they could think of to keep it open.”
Diane called the closing “one of the toughest things we’ve ever done.”
ShapeXpress offered 30-minute circuit training that combined aerobic and strength training exercise at 12 strength-training stations, 14 aerobic stations and light free weights.Art Hansen, a former Miller Brewing employee, said the membership numbers never got high enough for the business to succeed.
The Hansens said they have called members and stopped all membership billings in early December. Anyone who signed up for an annual prepaid membership will receive a letter in January that will outline the method for requesting a refund, Art said in a news release.
All of the club’s equipment and furnishings are for sale, and most will be posted on eBay this week.
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2 opinions for ShapeXpress Fitness Franchise Closes Tulsa Club
A. Nonymous
May 10, 2008 at 8:16 am
I know from an insider’s vantage that the materials promoting this franchise “opportunity” (opportunity for you to pay ShapeXpress for the pleasure of going bankrupt) are crafted Xpressly (pun intended) to fool potential franchisees through excessive hype and hyperbole — with no basis in reality. The “man” (using the term loosely) who started the franchise is an uneducated, self-glorifying, teeny-statured, insecure and evil moron who’s made cash for himself mostly through MLM or “pyramid” schemes. He has all the class and ethics of an intestinal parasite. It’s no surprise this concept failed, but it does make me giggle that people finally see his “business” for the borderline legal sham it really is.
sean
May 10, 2008 at 12:16 pm
A. nonymous:
Why argue against hyperbole with more hyperbole?
What are some of the specific claims in the marketing materials you find deceptive?
Feel free to email them to info[at]ideafarm.net for a review. I’m doing a series on seeing through deceptive franchise ad claims.
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