Fitness and sport executives dominate Top 30 Franchise list for 2023

A new report focussing on Australia's Top 30 franchise executives features eight professionals from fitness, sport and wellness on its list.

The annual study, which placed Richard Thame, Chief Executive at Couriers Please, at its head, featured executives from Fitstop, KX Pilates, Lift Brands, The AllStars Academy and Viva Leisure.

The fitness, sport and wellness executives in the Top 30 franchise list were:

7. Chris Caldwell
Chief Executive, Lift Brands Asia-Pacific

8. Anthony Grima
Chief Operating Officer, The AllStars Academy 

10. Sam Wiltshire
Franchise support manager, Lift Brands

12. Selina Bridge
Chief Executive, KX Pilates

13. Tarran Grummisch
General Manager, Marketing and Brand Communications, KX Pilates

14.  Adrian Furminger
Chief Operating Officer, Lift Brands 

16. Peter Hull
Chief Executive and founder, Fitstop

25. Gordon Martin 
Head of Franchising, Viva Leisure

Introducing the report, Sarah Stowe, judge and Editor of Franchise Executives, advised "time and again these franchise professionals have worked hard to reignite the passion in their franchisees and created ways to embrace growth.

"They have boosted their support teams, introduced revenue-boosting initiatives, and kept a clear focus on profitability."

Commenting on the challenges of the year, Lift Brands' Caldwell, the parent brand for Snap Fitness and Fitness On Demand, and a minority partner in 9Round and Fitstop, advised "rebuilding business and personal confidence in our franchisees was the single most important focus for our leadership team in 2022."

Grima noted that “our team's resilience and determination to overcome adversity filled us with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment.

“We made significant investments in our digital systems and online training programs, and established solid and efficient business processes.”

The Top 30 Franchise Executive report, sponsored by PCL Lawyers, was launched in Melbourne earlier this week.

Click here for more information.

Image: Chris Caldwell of Lift Brands Asia-Pacific (left) and Anthony Grima of The AllStars Academy.