The Bar Method

The Bar Method offers an elevated boutique fitness experience with scientifically precise, low-impact workouts, positioned within a growing market trend towards holistic wellness, and backed by comprehensive franchise support and a strong brand footprint.

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The Bar Method
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The Bar Method Franchise Cost and Requirements for 2024

Background

The Bar Method is an elevated boutique fitness experience that delivers low-impact and high-result workouts; No other barre is more scientifically precise and expertly guided to deliver results. We exist to equip and empower people of any age, body type, and ability to pursue the strongest, healthiest version of themselves.

There has been a culture shift, on a global scale, towards health and wellness. Over the last couple of years, fitness has come back not only as essential for combatting illness faced during the pandemic, but also as a key means to building holistic wellness. According to research from IHRSA, The Global Health & Fitness Association, and MindBody, 1. boutique fitness studios are projected to grow 450% by 2028, 2. barre was listed in the top 5 workouts, and 3. More than 1/3 of Americans said they prefer low impact workouts given the ability to generate strength without risk of injury.
Our founder, Burr Leonard, was a barre devotee. In 1981, she was introduced to the Lotte Berk Method while living in New York and took notice of the incredible physical and mental transformation of the workout. However, after years of teaching barre, she began discovering that clients were getting hurt. She partnered with a physical therapist to build a new exercise method that would not only be safer, but also more effective for clients. And, in 2001, Burr's flagship studio opened its doors in San Francisco, CA. Burr's loyal clients loved the workout and sense of community so much that they started opening their own Bar Method studios across the country.

The Bar Method class format has remained timeless after 20+ years - and our member retention rate and reoccurring membership revenue (72% of Gross Revenue) proves it. While still serving an homage to the foundation in barre, we've innovated to add additional class formats (the "fantastic five") to give our clients what their body craves, engages them longer with the brand, and makes them more powerful.

  • Bar Method Cardio for those wanting to get their heart rate up

  • Bar Strength for those who crave heavier weights

  • Bar Flow for those who want to stretch their body while in constant movement

  • Bar Restore for those who want a deeper stretch


  • The Bar Method was founded in science and that continues today with physical therapists who help guide our innovation. Our best-in-class teacher training program masters the science of the workout and the art of teaching, which is demonstrated in brilliant choreography, personal observation and guidance, and helping clients be their absolute best in and out of the studio.

    As part of the Self Esteem Brands family of brands since late 2019, franchisees can expect comprehensive initial and ongoing training for both them and their instructors in class formats, retails sales, real estate and construction, staff management, marketing, business planning, and every other aspect of the studio business.

    The Bar Method has tremendous white space opportunity - 80 studios currently open from coast-to-coast in 20 states and British Columbia and a footprint goal of 450+ locations. Our beautiful small-footprint studios, 1,750 sq ft, our low-staffing model, 4-8 employees, our industry-leading Teacher Training program, and our variety of class formats set The Bar Method up for success.

    If you believe in the role fitness has on holistic wellbeing, if you believe you have a role in empowering women, and if you're passionate about learning and running your own business, let's continue the conversation. Let's improve the self-esteem of the world by barre'ing together!

Company Details

  • Established: 2001
  • First Unit Franchised: 2008
  • Franchised Units: 76
  • Company Owned Units: 1
  • States Registered In: ALL except registration states until 2024 FDD is approved: MD
  • Canada Franchises: Yes
  • International Franchises: No

Support and Training Offered By The Bar Method

Financial Assistance Provided: Yes
Specify: Self Esteem Brands currently utilizes third-party lending partners to educate and assist franchisees when determining the best funding option for their situation.


Site Selection Assistance: Yes
Specify: Our in-house real estate team utilizes best-in-class analytics tools and local broker partners to identify the best sites in partnership with the franchisee. Not only does this working team analyze where our target consumer lives, works, and shops, but also analyzes sites that possess the appropriate access, parking, signage, and more. Our team engages in detailed market discussions and key opportunities, coordinates and schedules potential site tours, and helps source off-market deals. This team helps assess, approve, and negotiate real estate deals.


Lease Negotiation Assistance: Yes
Specify: Upon the franchisee reviewing the site packages, our in-house real estate team assists with letter of intent negotiations. The team has experience reviewing hundreds - if not thousands - of sites and are invaluable in advising franchisees on their real estate.


Recruiting Assistance: Yes
Specify: Franchisees partner with their Franchise Business Coach (FBC) to build their recruiting, hiring, and staffing strategy. The FBC will guide the franchise on where and how to recruit, best practices for hiring, and build a staffing plan to meet the needs of the business. A staffing advantage at The Bar Method is that our classes are taught by world-class instructors who are trained in-house. Ultimately, staff will join The Bar Method with built-in training and will stay longer than a typical instructor.


Cooperative Advertising: No


Training:
The Bar Method's new franchisee training program educates owners on everything they need to know to successfully run a franchise, everything from real estate to operations, construction, finance, from human resources to sales and marketing.


While franchisees are not required to be instructors, they may choose to become an instructor, or maybe they are already certified. Our Franchise Agreement includes three (3) Teacher Training enrollments. Our teacher training consists of 4 parts: pre-training, classroom hours, post training, and certification, and is structured with virtual, self-study, and in person experiences. After teachers are trained, they become part of our continued education program, what we call CEC. This means there will be lots of opportunities for teachers to continue to grow, learn and evolve well past their initial Bar Method certification. Our Teacher Training program is mandatory for all Bar Method instructors.
We also provide training for a franchisee's teaching staff. We will assess your training needs and discuss teacher recruitment, interview/audition strategies, and more to ensure you open with a strategic, staffed class schedule.

Our Learning Management System helps franchisees and their staff continuously grow - virtually, saving on travel expenses.

Special instructions/notes: While a digital class offering will never replace the connection of an in-studio experience, our Bar Online virtual classes provide an opportunity for your clients to experience The Bar Method and our five class format, in the even that they are not located near a brick and mortar studio.

2024 Franchise Requirements Needed to Own a The Bar Method Franchise.

What does a The Bar Method Franchise Cost?

The Bar Method franchise fees for 2024:

  • Cash Investment: $100,000
  • Total Investment: $386,523 to $537,264
  • Minimum Net Worth: $350,000
  • Single Unit Franchise Fee: $42,500
  • Franchise Fee for each additional unit: 2 locations: $75,000 / 3 locations: $97,500 / Additional locations: $27,500
  • Royalty: 6% of gross revenue
  • Ad: 2% of gross revenue
  • Other Fees: $299 tech fee
  • Item 19: Yes
  • Average Number of Employees: 4-8
  • Visa Candidates: Yes
  • Passive Ownership: No

Semi-Passive Ownership: No
Specify: Our lean staffing model allows a fully staffed studio to be run by an operator with a minimum of 3 instructors upon opening and an ongoing average of 4-8 instructors. At The Bar Method, our process to support recruiting and hiring instructors combined with our best-in-class instructor training program drives healthy instructor retention rates. If an owner has a desire to be an absentee owner, some franchisees choose a staffing model that support their budget and goals wherein they may have a combination Front Desk Manager, Sales Manager, Social Media Manager, Teacher Manager - all of this is preference based and completely optional.


Home-Based: No

B2B: No

Master Franchise Opportunities: No

Veteran Discount: Yes ($38,0250)

Is The Bar Method a Semi Absentee Franchise with a Passive Ownership Opportunity?

No. The Bar Method is not a semi absentee franchise. The owner of the franchise (the franchisee) is expected to be involved in all aspects of day-to-day operations.

Is The Bar Method a Home Based franchise?

No. The Bar Method is not a home based franchise opportunity.

What Do The Bar Method Franchise Owners Make?

Click here to find out how much The Bar Method franchisees make. The Bar Method offers an Item 19 in their Franchise Disclosure Document which provides financial information about select franchisees in their franchise system.

Is The Bar Method a Master Franchise Opportunity?

No. The Bar Method is not a master franchise opportunity.

Does The Bar Method Offer a Veteran Discount?

Yes. The Bar Method franchise does offer a veteran discount.

Does The Bar Method Work with E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa Candidates?

Yes. The Bar Method franchise does work with E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa candidates.

Is The Bar Method Looking for Franchisees in Canada?

No. The Bar Method franchise is not looking for Canada franchisees.

Is The Bar Method Looking for International franchisees?

No. The Bar Method franchise is not looking for International franchisees.

Where can I see The Bar Method's FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document)?

Buying a Franchise Guide: What is a Franchise Disclosure Document?

When evaluating a franchise opportunity, reading and understanding the current version of their FDD is a necessity. Considering the benefits of franchising, such as established brand recognition and support from the franchisor, it's important to also take into account franchise fees and franchising royalty fees. Since most franchisors are privately owned companies, the current versions of their FDDs are typically not available unless requested directly from them.

Click here to connect with a Franchise Consultant who can help you obtain a copy quickly and for free. They can also guide you through the essential franchise questions to ask, ensuring you make a well-informed decision about your investment.

Additional Information

Additional Categories

Health, Beauty & Nutrition, Non Food Franchises

Number of Units Open

50-100 UNITS

Cash Required

$50,000 - $100,000

Master Franchise

No

Passive Franchise

No

Home Based Franchise

No

Item 19 Franchise

Yes

Veteran Discount

No

B2B

No

Franchise Opportunities in Canada

No

International Franchise Opportunities

No

E2 Visa Franchise

Yes

The Bar Method Franchises for Sale

Click Here to inquire about existing The Bar Method franchises for sale. We may have The Bar Method franchise resales. A franchise resale is an already established franchise owned by a franchisee and the franchisee is looking to sell their franchise.

The International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG) is an internationally recognized membership-based franchise organization. IFPG Franchise Consultants guide aspiring business owners through the process of identifying and investing in franchise businesses. The IFPG represents more than 550 franchises. We do not represent all franchises listed here. By clicking on "Request a Consultation," you are agreeing to be contacted by one of our Certified Franchise Consultants to discuss franchise ownership.

About our rankings: The IFPG uses its internal data collected from our membership portal to identify which franchises had the most activity in the past week. This ranking system is not based on franchise sales, franchisee success rates or number of units open. Our ranking system should not be used to make a decision on which franchise to buy it was solely created for internal purposes and for our IFPG Members.