Crunch Fitness has signed a Master Franchise Agreement for India, a move that is expected to bring a minimum of 75 Crunch Fitness brick-and-mortar gyms to the country in the coming years.
The new development marks the brand’s continued international expansion into South Asia alongside Crunch+, the company’s extensive fitness offering.
The company said the Indian development will be led by Nikhil Kakkar, former COO of Gold’s Gym India, and business partner Dr. Umesh Kansal, M.D., CEO of several well-established companies in the fitness industry, financial services and global apparel business.
“This is an exciting time of expansion for Crunch, and with the Indian fitness market rapidly growing, we saw this as a natural next step in our international rollout,” said John Kersh, managing director, international development, Crunch Fitness. “We believe Nikhil and Umesh will be outstanding partners for the brand’s expanded presence in India, and we are excited for Crunch Fitness to play an influential role in India’s fitness franchise development.”
India now joins the ongoing list of international markets for Crunch with its presence already in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Portugal, and Spain.
“We look forward to bringing the Crunch experience to India, marking a significant milestone in our global expansion,” said Jim Rowley, CEO, Crunch Fitness. “India is a vibrant and dynamic market with a growing passion for fitness, and we are excited to introduce our first physical location with our unique blend of world-class amenities, innovative classes, and inclusive community to this incredible country. This expansion reflects our commitment to making fitness accessible, engaging, and fun for everyone, no matter where they are in the world.”
Throughout 2025, Crunch said it will continue to target expansion countries that have positive economic and franchising conditions, as well as significant growth opportunities.
Image courtesy Crunch Fitness
