Panobianco Academia, the largest gym franchisor in Brazil, announced that Chris Rondeau, former CEO of Planet Fitness, has joined the company as a shareholder, Board Member, and strategic advisor. Rondeau will actively support Panobianco’s expansion in Brazil, its entry into Mexico, and the professionalization of its franchisee network.

Rondeau, who spent 30 years at Planet Fitness and led its transition from a regional chain to national reach with over 2,500 locations, identifies Panobianco as the next major platform in the fitness industry.

“I see the same signals in Panobianco today that I saw in Planet Fitness in 2010, just before our explosive growth phase,” said Chris Rondeau. “They have cracked the code on high-value, low-price fitness in underserved markets. The model is highly profitable, the runway for growth in Brazil and Mexico is massive, and the brand democratizes fitness for the 80% of the population that traditional gyms ignore. This is an opportunity to help build another multi-billion-dollar legacy.”

Founded in 2012 with a focus on the HVLP (high value, low price) model, Panobianco said that after opening over 160 new locations in 2025, more than double the previous year, it will close the year with over 400 operating units. The target is set for 600 locations by the end of 2026.

To fuel this expansion, the company is implementing three major strategic pillars:

  • Financial Structuring: Panobianco has launched a pioneering financing fund with XP Investimentos to provide franchisees with capital for equipment and new store setups. Additionally, a strategic alliance with Wellhub provides franchisees with access to capital advances, significantly improving cash flow for expansion.
  • Governance Evolution: The company is formally establishing a Board of Directors and a Franchisee Council. By 2026, Panobianco will implement international-standard auditing and a unified ERP system, preparing the corporate structure for future liquidity events.
  • The Multi-Unit Revolution: Mirroring the strategy Rondeau successfully deployed in the U.S., Panobianco is shifting its focus to cultivating multi-unit operators. The goal is to transform single-unit franchisees into sophisticated business groups capable of managing 10, 20, or 50+ locations.

“Chris’s arrival is a validation of our business model and a catalyst for our future,” said Felipe Barth de Castro, CEO of Panobianco. “We are not just opening gyms; we are building a sophisticated, scalable corporation. With Chris’s mentorship, we are preparing our franchisees for a new era of professionalization and equipping Panobianco with the governance and capital structure needed for a global footprint.”