BFT secures APAC Franchise of the Year award at Beyond Activ Summit

On a night dominated by Australian-based businesses, BFT has been announced as the winner of the 2024 APAC Franchise of the Year award at the annual Beyond Activ Awards.

Presented on Wednesday night during Beyond Activ World (formerly Fit Summit) in Singapore, this is the third time that BFT has have won the title in the past four years.

Any fitness, wellness or lifestyle franchise that operates or invests in Asia-Pacific could be eligible for the award with success based on the performance of the brand’s of the existing portfolio in APAC, recent net growth of franchisees in APAC, net growth of member rate in APAC, industry reputation, consumer reputation, franchise leadership and investment in customer experience.

Speaking after receiving the award, BFT APAC Chief Executive, Dave Aitchison advised “we are humbled to win the 2024 APAC Franchise of the Year Award again.

“The fitness industry in APAC is incredibly competitive, with many brands growing fast and branching out overseas. A focus for us as a business over the last 12 months has been to really drive performance and growth within our existing studios - if our franchisees are having success, then we are doing our job.

"Our franchisees work so hard day-in and day out to give their members a world-class experience, so this award is a testament to the amazing communities they are building and driving brand success for BFT."

Found in Melbourne in 2017, BFT’s growth has attracted elite athlete franchisees including the likes of Tim Paine, Robbie Farah and the Aubusson brothers who all own several studios, while in the past 12 months the franchise has:

• Opened their 300th studio (March 2024)

• Sold 700 franchises since launching sales in April 2018

• They have had 42 studio openings this year so far

• 66,000 members across APAC with a net member growth rate of 18%.

• Achieved year on year studio revenue growth of 9.96%.

• Achieved year on year active member growth saw a significant increase of 11% across all three regions.

• Launched seven bespoke courses (five registered across AUSactive, ACE and REPS), saw 858 BFT coaches up-skilled and 29 Master Trainers appointed in 2023

BFT has also launched their biggest partnership with HYROX as the exclusive Training Centre for APAC, and facilitated the most successful new market events for Hyrox

BFT’s franchise sales in the APAC region:

• Singapore: 75% of territories have been sold.

• Hong Kong: 27% sold in first 6 months of launch.

•  NZ: 80% sold out with a forecast of 90% sold by the end of 2024

• Australia: 70% sold out with significant growth across NSW (Australia’s biggest/most competitive market) 42 agreements signed over the past two years

Overall, Australian-based businesses and individuals secured five of the 14 awards presented on the night

Images: Dave Aitchison with BFT's 2024 APAC Franchise of the Year award. Main image shows award presenter Cameron Prosser of BF Brokers at left. Credit: Beyond Activ.