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Jazzercise Inc.

Dance/exercise classes

Background

Founded: 1977   Franchising since: 1983
While teaching traditional jazz dance classes in Evanston, Illinois, in 1969, Judi Sheppard Missett turned her students away from the mirrors and started a “just for fun” class that incorporated dance moves to provide aerobic exercise. After moving to Southern California, she started training other instructors in the Jazzercise program in 1977. Six years later, the company began franchising. Now Jazzercise’s CEO, she continues to teach weekly Jazzercise classes and choreograph new dance routines. Based in Carlsbad, California, Jazzercise has more than 5,000 instructors teaching its total-body conditioning program to almost half a million participants each year in the United States and more than 30 other countries. Jazzercise instructors are trained and certified before becoming franchised.
2460 Impala Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92008



Franchisor is a privately-held company with 150 employee(s); 10 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth
YearU.S. FranchisesCanadian FranchisesForeign FranchisesCompany Owned
20086,294 125 1,159 1
20075,918 111 1,092 1
20065,693 102 998 1
20055,166 94 989 1

Where Seeking Franchisees
Nationwide
Worldwide


Costs and Fees

Total investment: $2.98K-38.4K
Franchise fee: $500/1K
Ongoing royalty fee: to 20%
Term of agreement: 5 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available
In-House Third Party
Franchise Fee No No
Startup Costs No No
Equipment No No
Inventory No No
Accounts Receivable No No
Payroll No No
Operations
  • Franchise can be run from home
  • 1% of all franchisees own more than one unit
  • Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


Training and Support

Training
  • At franchisee's location: 2-3 weeks home study
  • Seminars: 3 days

Ongoing Support
  • Newsletter
  • Meetings
  • Toll-free phone line
  • Internet
  • Security/safety procedures
  • Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support
  • Co-op advertising
  • Ad slicks
  • National media
  • Regional advertising

Rankings

Franchise 500® rank:
#42 (2009); #44 (2008); #35 (2007); #25 (2006); #26 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2008;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#7 (2009); #14 (2008); #5 (2007); #26 (2006); #23 (2005);

Low-Cost Franchises:
#8 (2009); #11 (2008); #12 (2007); #9 (2006); #11 (2005);

Top home based franchises:
#8 (2009); #8 (2008); #9 (2007); #4 (2006); #6 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#37 (2009); #39 (2008); #23 (2007); #20 (2006); #21 (2005);

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