Thinking about opening your own boutique fitness studio?
For many people, the idea starts with a moment of curiosity and the thought: “could this be for me?”. At Tribute Brands, we’ve walked this journey with franchisees across Europe – and over time, we’ve learned to recognise the signs that someone is ready – and when it might be better to take a little more time.
Here’s a friendly, experience-based guide to help you reflect as you consider PILAT3S or TRIB3.
4 Signs You’re Ready to Be a Franchisee
1. You’re genuinely curious about the business model
You’re not just browsing; you want to understand how everything works. You’re ready for open and transparent conversations about the concept, the structure, and the support system behind it. The more you learn, the more excited you feel – because you want to build something that lasts.
2. You have time to invest in the onboarding journey
The first few months matter. You’re ready to invest time and energy into training, onboarding and getting to know the operational systems. You’re happy to review locations, understand the numbers and prepare for a strong studio opening. You know it’s a commitment – and you’re ready for it.
3. You have the right mindset
You don’t need to be a fitness expert or have years of experience. What truly matters is your attitude: a proactive mindset, committed to delivering an exceptional client experience.
You see yourself taking on a leadership role – whether that means running the studio yourself or managing it through a Studio Manager. You’re ready to oversee day-to-day operations, sales, timetables, team development, audits and community engagement.
4. You have the financial foundations in place
For a standalone studio, you’ll typically need around €100,000 in available liquidity.
There is one exception: if you’re based in the Netherlands, our partnership with Rabobank allows franchisees to finance up to 80% of the total PILAT3S or TRIB3 investment. That means you only need as little as €50,000 of your own capital to get started.
Total investment varies depending on the property condition and the fit-out, typically ranging from €225,000 to €275,000 for a PILAT3S studio and €325,000 to €375,000 for a TRIB3 studio. The key is that you feel confident and comfortable planning this investment responsibly.
3 Signs You May Not Be Ready (Yet!)
1. Your schedule is stretched
Those early months need presence and focus. If you’re already juggling too many commitments, it may be better to wait until you can dedicate time to the training and preparation your studio deserves.
2. You’re hoping for a passive investment from day one
Our tech-enabled ecosystem makes studio management smoother, but boutique fitness is still a people-first space. Studios thrive when owners stay connected to their team and community, especially at the start.
3. You’re unsure about stepping into a leadership role
You don’t need to be an expert – but if the idea of guiding a team, supporting instructors and welcoming clients doesn’t feel like the right fit for you just yet, it might be worth taking a little more time.
Still curious? Still reflecting? We’re here.
Whether you see yourself in the “ready” group – or you need a bit more space to think, we’re here to help you explore the journey with clarity and confidence.
