F45 looks at US stock market listing

Latest News

January 21, 2020

Finance / Fitness / Retail /

Fitness franchise F45 Training is reportedly moving towards a multi-million dollar listing in the USA.

First reported by business news service Bloomberg last week, the proposed F45 float follows Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg having last year taken a minority stake in the Australian-created functional fitness franchise.

According to reports, F45 filed confidentially for an initial public offer in the USA, with the potential listing indicative of investor interest in leading fitness businesses.

Locally, Viva Leisure has been a strong performer since listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in June, while financial media have repeatedly suggested that Quadrant Private Equity is looking to list its Fitness & Lifestyle Group.

Bloomberg reported that F45, which last March was valued at US$600 million is reportedly aiming to have the IPO come as soon as the first half of the year.

However, Bloomberg also revealed that co-founder Adam Gilchrist had declined to comment on any IPO plans. Instead, he suggested that the company was “continuously exploring ways to help franchisees accelerate same-store sales growth”.

The proposed F45 float is a significant boost to the Sydney-born operation. Since launching in 2012, the franchise has swelled to become one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide.

Gilchrist, along with co-founder Rob Deutsch relocated the headquarters to Los Angeles in 2017, targeting the US as a major growth region.

A new IPO listing would certainly bolster those plans, however sources close to Bloomberg reportedly said a final decision was still yet to be made, and plans could change.

The chain currently operates more than 1700 outlets across over 40 countries worldwide.

29th December 2019 - Anytime Fitness looks to drive future growth outside of clubs’ ‘four walls’

17th December 2019 - F45 Training takes legal action against Body Fit Training over alleged patent infringement

17th December 2019 - Further growth for Viva Leisure with enhanced keyless club entry and launch of dedicated DAB+ radio station

2nd December 2019 - Viva Leisure looks to raise new capital as it announces acquisition of 13 Fit n Fast clubs

28th October 2019 - F45 Jimboomba helps members reach goals with EVOLT 360 technology

28th August 2019 - Viva Leisure 2018/19 financial results exceed prospectus forecasts

27th June 2019 - Owner looks for $1 billion plus sale of Fitness and Lifestyle Group

5th July 2019 - F45 to open studios in Afghanistan and Iraq

7th June 2019 - F45 Training takes on direct operations of Gold Coast facility

6th June 2019 - F45 tops Canstar Blue gym ratings for a second year

21st March 2019 - Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth takes up Fitness and Lifestyle Group stake

19th March 2019 - Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg buys stake in F45 fitness franchise

29th January 2019 - Report suggests Fitness and Lifestyle Group buys CMG Asia for $200 million

8th November 2018 - F45 launches new model for youth and over sixties

21st August 2018 - F45 opens London base to drive European expansion

5th April 2018 - Survey identifies F45 as providing highest level of customer satisfaction among Australian gyms

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