Contact Information: Media Contacts: Patrick Strait Snap Fitness 952.426.7173 Joan Miller Summit Partners 617.824.1047
Snap Fitness Announces Minority Equity Investment by Summit Partners
Leading Franchisor of Compact, State-of-the-Art 24/7 Fitness Centers Poised for Continued Growth
| Source: Summit Partners; Snap Fitness, Inc.
CHANHASSEN, MN and BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - June 3, 2008) - Snap Fitness, Inc., the
rapidly growing franchisor of compact, 24/7 express fitness clubs, today
announced it has received a minority equity investment from Summit
Partners, a private equity and venture capital firm that has raised more
than $11 billion since inception. Terms of the transaction were not
disclosed.
Founded in 2003 by CEO Peter Taunton, Snap Fitness offers fitness clubs
that emphasize fast, convenient and affordable workouts in neighborhoods
across North America. A typical 2,500-square-foot facility features the
same quality equipment as traditional big-box health clubs, but in a
smaller, non-intimidating setting and at a fraction of the membership
price.
Snap Fitness is experiencing phenomenal growth with more than 1,500
locations across the United States and Canada, with some 30-40 new stores
added monthly. Overseas expansion is projected for later this year.
The company is the leader in promoting member-friendly policies and
value-added benefits. It offers month-to-month memberships as opposed to
long-term contracts, and allows memberships to be frozen for up to three
months a year with no penalty. In addition, the company provides members
with a host of products and services, such as an online wellness assessment
and customized supplements, designed to give members better results and
more value for their money.
"Our relationship with Summit Partners will allow us to fuel our
international expansion operations, fortify our brand, and lay the
groundwork for long-term growth," said Peter Taunton, Snap Fitness' Founder
and CEO. "This partnership will allow us to realize Snap Fitness' true
growth potential and stay true to our focus of providing our members a
high-quality, high-value fitness experience, while finding ways to support
the success of our franchisees. We look forward to working closely with
Summit to leverage their expertise in helping rapidly growing companies."
"Snap Fitness is led by a superior management team that understands the
growing demand for a convenient and affordable health club experience,"
said Sonya Brown, a Principal with Summit Partners. "The company provides a
platform, a brand, and a support infrastructure that enables franchisees to
offer a product and service second-to-none in their market space. We
believe Snap Fitness is poised for continued strong growth, and are
delighted to be working with Peter Taunton and his team." Ms. Brown, along
with Summit Partners Vice President Peter Rottier, will join the Snap
Fitness Board of Directors.
About Snap Fitness, Inc.
Fresh off its #3 ranking on Entrepreneur Magazine's list of Top New
Franchises and recently ranked #1 on Franchise Market's Top 100 New
Franchises, Snap Fitness (www.snapfitness.com) is experiencing phenomenal
growth with more than 1,500 locations sold nationwide, newly opened
locations in Canada and some 30-40 new stores added monthly. Founded in
2003 by CEO Peter Taunton, the Chanhassen, Minn.-based franchisor offers
compact, state-of-the-art, 24/7 express fitness clubs that emphasize fast,
convenient and affordable workouts in neighborhoods across America.
About Summit Partners
Summit Partners (www.summitpartners.com) provides private equity and
venture capital for growth companies. Founded in 1984, Summit has raised
more than $11 billion in capital and has provided equity, recapitalization,
and management buyout financing to more than 300 growing companies across a
range of industries. Of these companies, nearly 125 have completed public
offerings and more than 110 have been acquired through strategic mergers
and sales. Summit Partners has offices in Boston, Palo Alto, and London.
Summit Partners seeks to work with outstanding management teams that have
self-financed their companies to profitability and market leadership.
Notable consumer products and services investments include 3-Day Blinds,
Belkin Corporation, Champion Windows, Harris Research (Chem-Dry), MDVIP,
and Physicians Formula.
The business of Summit Partners in the UK is regulated by the Financial
Services Authority. Summit Partners Limited is registered in England and
Wales. The registered number is 4141197, and the registered office is
located at 20-22 Bedford Row in London, WC1R 4JS, UK. In the US, Summit
Partners operates as an SEC-registered investment advisor. This document is
intended solely to provide information regarding Summit Partners' potential
financing capabilities for prospective portfolio companies.