Despite the financial downturn, fitness franchise Jetts 24/7 has this year experienced a growth rate of 500 per cent and is predicted to more than double its corporate revenue by the end of this financial year.

The franchise delivered corporate earnings of $1.9 million last financial year but is expected to more than double that with an anticipated $5.2 million for the current period.

Founder and managing director, Brendon Levenson, believes that providing the best customer service and value as well as meeting the needs of the current market, are the keys to success.

“Through our market research, we found a lot of members weren’t overly satisfied with the restrictions big clubs had in place, such as long term contracts, limited opening hours, high prices and pushy sales staff,” he said.

“Jetts 24/7 is an environment free of restrictions where our customers can work out when they want, with no lock-in contracts and membership fees that are affordable for anyone.”

The franchise has over 32,000 members, with the figure growing by 4,000 per month. To keep up with this demand, Jetts 24/7 opened 41 new locations this year, ending 2009 with 49 centres throughout Australia.

“Jetts is a simplistic business model providing high returns for a low time cost, minimal staffing and a low overhead structure with passive ownership in a feel good industry,” Levenson said.

In 2010 the business will add a further 60 locations to its Australian arm, and begin its international expansion to New Zealand.

“Our mission is to locate a club within eight minutes of 80 per cent of the population across a network of 230 clubs by 2012.”