Contours to celebrate five successful years with ongoing expansion plans

Fast growing Australian express gym franchise Contours is set to launch a bold new national expansion drive to coincide with its upcoming fifth birthday.

Having established 160 franchised studios in its first five years, the womens-only fitness group has announced its next five year plan with a 50% network growth target incorporating immediate plans to expand into new regions as well as a 100% growth in memberships and turnover by 2015.

Developed in consultation with the Contours Board of members, operations team and the franchisees, the plan outlines:

• Substantial growth across the Contours' network, revenue, and membership base;
• Strategic new appointments;
• Implementation of unprecedented national franchise support; and
• Establishment of a new corporate, social responsibility program.

As Contours Chief Executive Justin Wilshaw explains "the purpose of our 2015 plan is to continue consolidation of our immense growth of the past five years with improved systems and support, while maintaining a healthy and achievable growth for the business. The fitness industry has never been more robust than it is right now and keeping up with and taking advantage of market changes is vital to our success."

This process will include a restructuring of Contours headquarters, to ensure that the high-level of support provided to the national network of franchises is maintained as the company expands.

As Wilshaw comments "restructuring our operations team (is) an important and necessary move to improve the level of service to our national network and in turn to deliver better outcomes to our members and partners.

"We found that franchisees work best when they have hands-on support. If they have an issue, they want to be able to pick up the phone and get the support they need. We know it is imperative that we don't lose sight of this and maintain healthy support levels for every franchise no matter how many there are."

With over five years fitness franchise experience, Simone Bingham has been appointed to a newly created National Operations Manager role to increase the profitability of each franchised studio and improve retention and overall growth of the Contours member base.

Speaking of Bingham's appointment, Wilshaw adds "by leading and coaching the state managers and the National Training Manager, Simone will ensure that superior operational, training and marketing expertise and support is provided to the extended franchise network. She will drive a greater synergy between the franchisee development programs and the state-based franchise development managers."

The company is set to stage a national road show offering professional development programs to provide new franchisees with extensive classroom and in-studio training on all aspects of running a small business, from marketing and sales techniques, HR and recruitment packages to cashflow management and up to the minute best practice fitness methodology.

According to Wilshaw "the Contours franchise is very affordable and the model is easy and attractive, but owners still need to be business and marketing savvy and work hard to ensure their franchise succeeds. Moving forward, Contours HQ will be implementing more strict procedures and providing extended support with the aim to drive each individual franchisesâ success."

Contours has also put in place a strategy to become an Australian first carbon neutral fitness chain. Contours will partner with global sustainability projects to plan and implement economically advantageous environmental programs nationally and locally. Additionally, Contours will establish quarterly community programs with charities that are important to the members.

Contours will mark its fifth birthday in November.

To be part of these celebrations visit www.contours.net.au