2026 FDD Issued Apr 1, 2026, amended Oct 14, 2026 Minnesota Commerce (CARDS) Checked Nov 2, 2026
FS8 Franchise Cost (2026)
A FS8 franchise costs an estimated $349,300 – $840,700 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). That total includes the $60,000 initial franchise fee (Item 5) and covers this format: FS8 Studio. Item 6 lists royalty fee: 7% of Gross Sales, subject to the conditions below.
- Total investment
- $349K – $841KItem 7 source and qualifications
- Franchise fee
- $60KItem 5 source and terms
- Royalty
- 7% of Gross SalesItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Brand fund
- 2% of Gross SalesItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Units (2025)
- 30Item 20 source and scope
- Franchise exit rate
- 0% / yrCalculated 3-year average; definition and source
What stands out about FS8
Most of the money paid to the franchisor before opening goes to equipment, not the franchise fee. The required Equipment Pack is the largest fixed payment in Item 7, and shipping, taxes and duties come on top of it. The printed total also counts optional recovery amenities such as cold plunges and saunas even at its low end, so a studio without them starts below $349,300, while leasehold improvements alone can push the high end to $840,700.
The sales evidence is thin. Item 19 covers only the handful of studios open a full year, and two of them sit well above the rest: the average of $508,660 is far above the median, and most of the sample sold less than the average. Most franchised studios opened in 2025 or later, so they are not in the figures at all.
Several charges are flat monthly amounts. Besides a royalty of 7% of Gross Sales, Item 6 requires a fixed monthly marketing fee, a technology fee and a quarterly minimum purchase of branded merchandise, and the brand fund has a monthly floor. If a studio's sales fall well below the system average after its first months, the franchisor can also require it to join paid promotional programs.
Growth has been fast and so far without exits. The franchised count reached 29 by the end of 2025 after 24 openings that year, with no terminations or closures in any reported year. The 10-year term runs from opening, and two renewal terms of the same length are available.
What are the initial franchise fees and financial requirements for FS8?
Item 5 lists an initial franchise fee of $60,000 for FS8. Check the cited Item 5 for payment timing, discounts and format-specific terms.
Item 5 (PDF pages 18-20): a $60,000 establishment fee and up to a $2,500 document preparation fee are due when the Franchise Agreement takes effect; each additional committed Studio also costs $60,000. Approved U.S. military veterans may get up to 50% off, and buyers of two or more FS8 or affiliated-brand studios get 50% off the establishment fee and $10,000 off the Equipment Pack. In 2025 establishment fees collected ranged from $10,000 to $60,000. Other payments to the franchisor: the $110,000 Equipment Pack (plus shipping, taxes and duties), a $1,500 Induction Seminar fee for two attendees ($750 for each extra person), a $600 Head Trainer induction fee and, if required, a $4,000 to $11,000 on-site training fee. You must spend at least $25,000 on grand opening promotions. Fees are non-refundable.
Source: FS8 2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 18.
This record lists no minimum net worth or liquid-capital requirement for FS8, because no sourced figure has been recorded. Ask the franchisor for its current financial qualifications in writing.
How much does it cost to open a FS8 franchise? (Item 7)
Source: FS8 2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 27.
Item 7 of FS8’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the total cost to open one fs8 studio at $349,300 – $840,700. This total includes the initial franchise fee.
| Expense Category | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment Fee | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Document Preparation Fee | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Equipment Pack | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| Equipment Pack Shipping, Taxes and Duties | $11,000 | $27,000 |
| Induction Seminar | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Head Trainer Induction | $600 | $600 |
| Travel and Living Expenses During Training | $4,500 | $9,000 |
| Real Property | $5,000 | $25,000 |
| Architectural Floor Plan Design, Engineering, and Construction/Permit Documents | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $1,000 | $350,000 |
| Utility Deposits | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Exterior and Interior Signage | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Other Equipment | $4,000 | $10,000 |
| Office Equipment and Supplies | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Computer System | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Business Licenses and Permits | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Professional Services | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Insurance | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| Grand Opening | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Music Licenses | $1,700 | $2,000 |
| AED | $1,500 | $2,100 |
| Optional Recovery Amenities | $40,000 | $67,000 |
| Additional Funds (Initial 3-Month Period) | $60,000 | $100,000 |
| Total | $349,300 | $840,700 |
For comparison, the median high-end investment among 7 fitness records without a source-review hold is $1,029,811.
Item 7 (PDF pages 27-29) and the cover print $349,300 to $840,700; the 23 lines add to that total. The total includes $40,000 to $67,000 of optional Recovery Amenities (cold plunges, saunas and similar), which note 17 says cost $0 if you do not offer them. Leasehold improvements range from $1,000 to $350,000. Of the total, $224,100 to $253,700 is paid to the franchisor or its affiliates (cover), mainly the $110,000 Equipment Pack. Additional funds cover three months and exclude rent.
What ongoing royalties and fees does FS8 charge? (Item 6)
Source: FS8 2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 21.
Item 6 of FS8’s 2026 FDD lists the charges below. Recurring charges and charges triggered by a transfer, renewal or other event have different conditions. Read each fee’s basis and notes before comparing rates.
How to read an Item 6 fee table.
| Fee Type | Amount / Rate | Payment Frequency | Notes & Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | 7% of Gross Sales | Every period | 7% of Gross Sales, paid by electronic funds transfer on the 15th of the following month. From five years after the Opening Date, the franchisor may raise it by up to the year-over-year Consumer Price Index increase. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Brand Fund | 2% of Gross Sales | Every period | Up to 2% of Gross Sales or $200 per month, whichever is higher, paid monthly; the franchisor required contributions in fiscal 2025. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Marketing Fee | $2,500 per month | Every period | $2,500 per month in advance from the Opening Date, used by the franchisor or its designee for local advertising for your Studio. If the franchisor stops collecting it, you must spend at least $2,500 per month yourself. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Local Cooperative Advertising (Co-op) | Varies | When it applies | As set by a Co-op, not more than $2,500 per month, credited toward the Marketing Fee; none exist. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Promotional Programs | Varies | When it applies | Costs of special promotional programs, up to the monthly royalty, if after the first 6 months your Gross Sales are below 70% of the annual average of FS8 studios open at least 12 months. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Loyalty Programs | Varies | When it applies | Actual costs of any gift card, loyalty or promotional program the franchisor requires. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Non-Compliance Fee | Varies | When it applies | Up to $2,000 per violation not cured as required, in addition to any on-site evaluation fee. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Technology Service Fee | $500 per month | Every period | Currently $500 per month from the month you first use the services; increases are limited to the franchisor's cost increases plus up to 5% for overhead. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Head Trainer Induction | $600 | When it applies | $600 each time you hire a new Head Trainer, plus their travel and wages. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Merchandise for Resale | $1,500 per quarter | Every period | A required purchase of at least $1,500 of branded merchandise every three months, plus shipping, taxes and duties; the franchisor may change the amount and frequency (note 5). (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Interest | Varies | When it applies | 18% per year or the maximum lawful rate on overdue amounts. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Additional Training | Varies | When it applies | Currently $250 per day per person trained, up to $500; no ongoing training programs exist yet (note 6). (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| On-site Remedial Training | Varies | When it applies | The per diem rate, currently $250 (up to $500), plus costs. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| On-site Evaluation Fee | Varies | When it applies | Currently $160 per evaluation (up to $320) plus the $250 per diem if your Studio is not in compliance. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Secret Shopper Fee | Varies | When it applies | Currently $250 per Studio per year if a program is implemented; increases capped at $50 per year. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Transfer Fee | Varies | When it applies | 25% of the then-current establishment fee plus the franchisor's reasonable costs, including training and legal and accounting fees; none for certain transfers to an entity under the same control. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Securities Offering Fee | Varies | When it applies | $3,000 plus actual review costs. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Renewal Fee | Varies | When it applies | The greater of $5,000 or 10% of the then-current establishment fee, with 6 to 9 months' notice. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Annual Conference | Varies | When it applies | $600 per ticket, with a minimum of two tickets, billed whether or not you attend. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Non-Attendance Fee | Varies | When it applies | $100 to $300 per person who misses required training, conferences or meetings. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Inspection and Testing | Varies | When it applies | The cost of inspecting and testing a supplier you propose. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| Indemnification | Varies | When it applies | Actual losses the franchisor incurs because of your actions. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| Audit Fee | Varies | When it applies | Audit cost if you understated any amount owed by 3% or more. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| Insurance Fee | Varies | When it applies | The premium plus the franchisor's costs if it buys required insurance you failed to maintain. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| Enforcement Costs | Varies | When it applies | Actual costs, including attorney's fees, if you do not comply with the Franchise Agreement. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| Third-Party Inspection Costs | Varies | When it applies | Up to $250 per studio, only if the studio fails a third-party inspection. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
Explore annual fees and payback assumptions
This fee schedule cannot be reduced to the calculator’s simple sales-based formula. Enter your own assumptions and check them against the Item 6 terms.
FS8 startup investment and modeled fees over 10 years
Item 6 states the Brand Fund only as up to 2% of Gross Sales or $200 per month, whichever is higher, without a current rate, and the royalty may rise with the Consumer Price Index from the fifth year. A single sales figure cannot establish those charges, so this record does not produce an annual fee estimate or payback preset. See the fee amounts and definitions in Item 6 above. Open the calculator with your own assumptions.
Item 20: FS8 franchised outlet history
Source: FS8 2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 69.
Item 20 Table 3 reports 29 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. The company-owned table reports a further 1 outlets. Our calculated average annual franchised exit rate is 0% across the 3 reported years, using the definition below.
| Year | Franchised at Start | Opened | Reported Exits | At End | Franchise Exit Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0% |
| 2025 | 5 | 24 | 0 | 29 | 0% |
Franchised units went from 0 to 29 over 3 years (+29).
Reported exits include terminations, non-renewals, franchisor reacquisitions and other cessations. A reacquired outlet may continue operating. How we calculate the exit rate. How to read the Item 20 outlet tables. Compare FS8’s exit rate with other brands.
Item 20 Table 3 totals are on PDF page 69; Table 1 (page 68) and Table 4 (page 70) match. There were no terminations, non-renewals, reacquisitions or closures in 2023, 2024 or 2025. The franchisor has operated one company-owned Studio since 2024.
How much do FS8 franchise owners make? (Item 19)
Source: FS8 2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 65.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports average Annual Gross Sales, franchised Studios open at least 12 months (Table 1) of $508,660 (March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, 7 of 39 franchised U.S. Studios, those open at least 12 months by February 28, 2026; 2 (28.6%) were above the average). FS8’s Item 19 reports sales but no profit, costs or owner pay. Rent, payroll, supplies, loan payments and Item 6 fees such as the royalty (7% of Gross Sales) come out of sales before an owner is paid, so these figures cannot show what an owner earns.
See every FS8 Item 19 figure, with its period and sample.
Payback calculator (enter your own assumptions) Check any inputs against this record’s Item 7 startup costs and Item 6 fee rules.
How long is the FS8 franchise agreement term?
Source: FS8 2026 FDD, Item 17, PDF p. 59.
The standard FS8 franchise agreement runs 10 years, with renewal terms of 10 years.
Item 17 (PDF page 59): an initial term of 10 years from the Opening Date, with two additional consecutive 10-year terms if renewal conditions are met, including signing the then-current agreement and paying the renewal fee.
How long does it take to open a FS8 franchise? (Item 11)
Source: FS8 2026 FDD, Item 11, PDF p. 41.
Item 11 of the 2026 FDD states the time from signing the Franchise Agreement to opening: approximately 12 months. The agreement requires you to open within 12 months after signing the Franchise Agreement, unless the franchisor extends it in writing.
Franchises with a similar investment range
These published records are selected by proximity to FS8’s $349,300 low-end Item 7 investment, starting with Fitness. Formats, fees and source qualifications differ; the figures are not interchangeable budgets:
- F45 Training $362K – $858K Source review pending Provisional publication Fitness
- Club Pilates $413K – $1.03M Fitness
- Play It Again Sports $346K – $460K Retail
- Once Upon A Child $356K – $486K Retail
- Waxing the City $340K – $646K Beauty & Personal Care
- German Doner Kebab $366K – $638K Source review pending Provisional publication Restaurants & Food
Compare other fitness franchises
Sources
FS8, Inc. Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 1, 2026, as amended October 14, 2026, as filed with the Minnesota Commerce (CARDS). Read the source FDD PDF. How to get this FDD yourself.
- Item 5: cited PDF p. 18
- Item 6: cited PDF p. 21
- Item 7: cited PDF p. 27
- Item 19: cited PDF p. 65
- Item 20: cited PDF p. 69
- Agreement term (Item 17): cited PDF p. 59
Page references for FS8 use the PDF viewer's digital page count, not printed page headers. Some viewers download the document instead of opening the referenced page.
If the state document viewer does not open, use Minnesota Commerce's public filing instructions to look up the filing by franchisor name and document date.
Document & verification changelog
- November 2, 2026: Source check completed against the recorded FDD.
- November 2, 2026: Initial cost profile published from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (issued April 1, 2026).
- November 2, 2026: Independently checked against the April 1, 2026 Minnesota Clean FDD, as amended October 14, 2026: cover, Items 1, 5, 6, 7, 11, 17, 19 and 20. Item 6 now lists all 26 rows (the draft had 13) and suppresses the annual fee model because the Brand Fund has no stated current rate. The franchise fee now shows the $60,000 establishment fee rather than the range of fees collected. Added Item 7, Item 19 and Item 20 scope notes and rewrote the analysis.
- October 31, 2026: Drafted from the April 1, 2026 Clean FDD (as amended October 14, 2026) filed in Minnesota: Items 1, 5, 6, 7, 11, 17, 19, and 20.
- October 14, 2026: Amendment date recorded for the source FDD.