Xponential Fitness, Inc. reported signing a Master Franchise Agreement in Japan for StretchLab that allows Xponential Fitness to license at least 40 StretchLab studios in Japan to franchisees over the next ten years. As of December 31, 2022, Xponential had over 2,600 open studios worldwide, operating in 16 countries and four continents.
Xponential signed the agreement with Sunpark Co., Ltd. of Osaka, a multi-brand operator and global franchisor of restaurants, entertainment concepts and fitness centers with more than 100 locations in Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States.
The agreement marks Xponential’s fifth brand to enter the Japanese market, following earlier deals for Club Pilates, Rumble, CycleBar, and AKT with Master Franchise Partner Wellness X Asia. Wellness X Asia has 22 Club Pilates studios open in Japan, with the first studios of Rumble, AKT and CycleBar slated to open later this year.
“Japan is emerging as one of Xponential’s most important global markets, and we are very enthusiastic to welcome Sunpark as our latest international partner,” said John Kersh, chief international development officer of Xponential Fitness. “Sunpark’s vast experience in real estate and multi-brand franchising will provide an outstanding foundation on which to expand the StretchLab brand across Japan.”
Sunpark’s Founder and CEO is Ken Takagi. The StretchLab project is overseen by Koji Yamaguchi, an entrepreneur with ten years of experience in the assisted stretching space in Japan.
Takagi said, “This is an ideal time to launch StretchLab in Japan, as consumers are increasingly seeking high-quality options to improve their overall health and well-being. We are confident Stretchlab will be very well-received across Japan.”
Xponential signed its first international agreement for StretchLab in 2021 for Australia and New Zealand, and in 2022 it signed master franchise agreements for Mexico and Kuwait. The brand also just reached the milestone of 300 studios opening globally.
