Xponential Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: XPOF) announced today it has signed a Master Franchise Agreement in Japan for StretchLab, the world’s largest assisted stretching brand. The agreement provides the Master Franchisee with the opportunity to license at least 40 StretchLab studios in Japan to potential franchisees over the next 10 years. As of December 31, 2022, Xponential had over 2,600 open studios worldwide, operating in 16 countries and four continents.
The deal was signed with Sunpark Co. Ltd. of Osaka, a multi-brand operator and global franchisor of restaurants, entertainment concepts, and fitness centers with more than 100 locations in Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. The StretchLab agreement marks Xponential’s fifth brand to enter the Japanese market, following earlier agreements for Club Pilates, Rumble, CycleBar and AKT with Master Franchise Partner, Wellness X Asia. Wellness X Asia currently has 22 Club Pilates studios open in Japan, with the first studios of Rumble, AKT and CycleBar slated for later this year.
“Japan is emerging as one of Xponential’s most important global markets, and we are very enthusiastic to welcome Sunpark as our latest international partner,” said John Kersh, Chief International Development Officer of Xponential Fitness. “Sunpark’s vast experience in real estate and multi-brand franchising will provide an outstanding foundation on which to expand the StretchLab brand across Japan.”
Sunpark is led by founder and CEO Ken Takagi who is assembling a highly-qualified team to bring the StretchLab brand to life in Japan. The StretchLab project will be overseen by Koji Yamaguchi, a respected entrepreneur with 10 years of experience in the assisted stretching space in Japan.
According to CEO Ken Takagi, “This is an ideal time to launch StretchLab in Japan, as consumers are increasingly seeking high-quality options to improve their overall health and well-being. We are confident Stretchlab will be very well-received across Japan.”
The agreement marks the continued expansion of Xponential Fitness outside North America. The company currently has multiple brands’ studios operating or in development in 16 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Specifically for StretchLab, Xponential signed their first international agreement for StretchLab in 2021, for Australia and New Zealand, and in 2022 they signed master franchise agreements for Mexico and Kuwait. The brand also just reached the milestone of 300 studios open globally.
About StretchLab
Founded in 2015, StretchLab is the largest assisted stretching brand globally that was created to help people through customized flexibility services. It offers one-on-one and group-assisted stretching sessions to customers across a broad range of ages and fitness levels. StretchLab’s advanced “Flexologist” instructors receive extensive training, including both classroom and on-the-job training programs. Ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 and Fastest-Growing Franchises three years running, Top New Franchises in 2021 and 2022, as well as Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 in 2020 and 2021, StretchLab is headquartered in Irvine, CA and backed by Xponential Fitness, the largest franchisor of boutique fitness brands.
About Xponential Fitness
Xponential Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: XPOF) is the largest global franchisor of boutique fitness brands. Through its mission to make boutique fitness accessible to everyone, the Company operates a diversified platform of ten brands spanning across verticals including Pilates, indoor cycling, barre, stretching, rowing, dancing, boxing, running, functional training and yoga. In partnership with its franchisees, Xponential offers energetic, accessible, and personalized workout experiences led by highly qualified instructors in studio locations across 48 U.S. states and Canada, and through master franchise or international expansion agreements in 14 additional countries. Xponential Fitness’ portfolio of brands includes Club Pilates, the nation’s largest Pilates brand; CycleBar, the nation’s largest indoor cycling brand; StretchLab, the largest assisted stretching brand in the United States; Row House, a high-energy, low-impact indoor rowing workout; AKT, a dance-based cardio workout combining toning, interval and circuit training; YogaSix, the largest franchised yoga brand; Pure Barre, a total body workout that uses the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements; STRIDE Fitness, a treadmill-based cardio and strength training concept; Rumble, a boxing-inspired full-body workout; and BFT, a functional training, and strength-based program.
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