Following on the heels of its first club launch in Falkenstein, Germany, CFW Group, a subsidiary of Curves International, recently announced that it will open a new health club south of Munich, in Rosenheim, on February 13, 2006.

It appears that the express gym concept employing hydraulic circuit strength training machines interspersed with jogging squares cardio stations, that was founded in Waco Texas, now has worldwide appeal. Well, at least entrepreneurs are hoping that it will be as successful in Germany as it has been in North America.

Yet another club is scheduled to open in Flensburg Germany in March 2006. Curves International is the tenth largest franchise company in the world in terms of total units, according to Franchise Times magazine. The company currently has over 9,300 locations in 38 countries worldwide.

A Lofty Goal to Open 1,200 German Franchises in 5 years
"We're coming to Germany with a successful business model and a fierce desire to succeed," said Joe Piller, Curves' sales representative. "Our goal is to open 1,200 Curves within five years."
Germany's first Curves franchise opened in Falkenstein in September 2005. "Curves is a great company that offers tremendous support and training," said owner Margaret Reidlinger. "We feel confident about being backed by the largest fitness franchisor in the world."

27% of North American Health Clubs are Curves
Curves already has major market share in the U.S. and Canada; where, as the largest fitness franchise, it accounts for 27% of all health clubs. Curves is now attempting to gain success in Europe. It is already the largest fitness franchise in Ireland and Spain, with more than 100 clubs installed in each country.
From 1 to 9,300 Circuit Clubs in 11 Years
2006 marks the eleventh anniversary of Curves, which has seen an average annual sales growth of 58% , and added an average of more than 1,500 locations and 730,000 new members annually for the last five years.