(A): To bag the deal, what qualities must a franchise possess? Can you mention some and also throw some light on the training?

(K): “Personality, drive, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit are key elements to operating a successful Curves business. We like our franchise owners to be owner-operators, meaning they work about 35–40 hours in and around their clubs weekly. The franchise needs to be dynamic, enthusiastic, and highly motivated. He or she needs to be filled with desire and the right personal qualities to help women achieve their goals. The franchise must be willing to work with a company that is one of the world’s leaders in women’s fitness and is determined to succeed and totally committed to a new challenge. They must be willing to execute the operational needs passed down from us, the franchisor.

The Onboarding Certification is a fully comprehensive web-based training program we offer for owners and staff. In addition to training modules, participants are assisted through live virtual sessions with an instructor, message boards, prescribed activities, and assessments. The certification process will take you approximately five weeks to complete, and will focus on five areas, mainly, who is Curves, Service, Sales, Guest Production, and Policy & Procedures Management (owners and managers only). Once you have officially taken over the club, a mentor will come to your club and spend valuable time with you and your staff, assisting you to get on the path to becoming the successful entrepreneur you have set out to become.

Once you become a Curves franchise owner, you will gain access to our comprehensive communication intranet website. It provides the communication, support, and resources needed to operate your business. This site is where you will find your Curves Mail account, guidance documents, and important announcements. The Curves Learning Community is a one-stop-shop for all training needs for you and your staff. If you have followed the action steps to ensure your staff has an account on the Curves Learning Community, each of your staff members will have their own unique account where you can assign, track, and measure training results. This is a free resource for you and your staff.”

(A): Where do you envision Curves in the future and what modus operandi have you planned?

(K): “Curves is continually innovating program offerings and providing upgrade opportunities to enhance and monetize the member experience. The Curves Nutrition and Weight Management Program promotes balanced and sustainable nutrition education designed to help decrease body fat, increase lean muscle mass, and improve metabolism when followed by the Curves workout. MyCurves On Demand brings the Curves trusted 30-minute workout to your own home. Led by real Curves coaches and developed by Curves program experts, MyCurves On Demand is accessible anytime, anywhere on your favorite smart device. The Curves Health & Wellness Education Series provides members with education on important health topics impacting women of all ages, so they can make improvements for their own health and wellbeing. We have also added new technology in our clubs with body scanning and target heart rate tracking! Both bring new opportunities to the clubs, including gammification and accountability.”