An F45 franchise in Australia costs between AUD $349,000 and $786,000 plus GST, with a median investment around $450,000–$550,000. The franchise fee is $60,000. Fitout, equipment, and working capital make up the bulk of that range. What makes F45 unusual is the fee structure beneath the headline number: fixed monthly costs of roughly $5,000 apply regardless of revenue, and the brand carries an elevated risk score of 6.70 out of 10 in our independent assessment. The average resale price sits at $193,860 — about 60% below median investment — which is the single most important number prospective buyers should understand before signing.

[INTERNAL-LINK: franchise due diligence checklist -> /blog/what-to-check-before-buying-a-franchise]

TL;DR: F45 franchises in Australia require AUD $349,000–$786,000 (median ~$500,000). Fixed monthly fees of ~$5,000 apply even at low revenue, and the average resale price is just $193,860 — a 60% capital loss. Our independent risk score is 6.70/10 (Elevated Risk). Buyers should model conservative scenarios carefully before committing.

How Much Does an F45 Franchise Cost in Australia?

The total initial investment ranges from AUD $349,000 to $786,000 plus GST, according to F45's current franchise disclosure documentation. Most buyers land between $450,000 and $550,000 once fitout, equipment, and working capital are factored in. That places F45 in the upper tier of boutique fitness franchise investments in Australia.

Where the money goes

Fitout and equipment represent the largest single cost block at $200,000–$450,000. This covers the studio buildout — flooring, mirrors, branding, ventilation — plus the functional training stations required by F45's format. The range is wide because site condition, landlord contributions, and studio size (typically 200–400 sqm) all vary.

Equipment and technology adds another $50,000–$100,000. This includes F45-branded training equipment, the digital screen system that drives class programming, and member management technology. These are franchisor-specified purchases with limited negotiation room.

The $60,000 franchise fee is non-refundable and due upfront. Working capital of $50,000–$150,000 covers the first three to six months of operations before the studio reaches breakeven member counts.

$349K–$786K

Fitout & Equipment$325,000 (56.5%)

Equipment & Tech$75,000 (13.0%)

Working Capital$100,000 (17.4%)

Franchise Fee$60,000 (10.4%)

Initial Supplies$15,000 (2.6%)

Citation capsule: An F45 franchise in Australia requires AUD $349,000–$786,000 plus GST in total initial investment, with a median outlay of $450,000–$550,000. The franchise fee is $60,000, fitout runs $200,000–$450,000, and working capital requirements range from $50,000 to $150,000, per F45 franchise disclosure documents (2026).

[INTERNAL-LINK: how franchise fitout costs work -> article on franchise fitout budgeting]

What Is the F45 Fee Structure That Catches Buyers Off Guard?

F45's ongoing fees total roughly 9% of gross revenue plus a fixed $2,500 per month marketing charge, creating a combined minimum of approximately $5,000 per month before any percentage-based fees even apply. This "whichever is higher" structure is the feature most often misunderstood during the sales process.

How the minimums work

The royalty is 7% of gross sales or $2,500 per month, whichever is higher. The brand fund is 2% of gross sales or $200 per month, whichever is higher. The marketing fund is a flat $2,500 per month with no revenue-linked alternative.

At lower revenue levels, these minimums hit hard. A studio generating $400,000 annually pays at least $60,000 per year in fixed fees alone — that's 15% of gross revenue going to the franchisor before rent, wages, or any other cost. For studios below $350,000, fixed fees consume over 17% of revenue.

[ORIGINAL DATA] The crossover point where percentage-based fees exceed the minimums is approximately $430,000 in annual gross revenue for the royalty ($2,500/month = $30,000/year; 7% of $430,000 = $30,100). Below that threshold, you're paying more per dollar of revenue than the headline 7% rate suggests.

How F45 fees compare to competitors

The royalty percentage is within the normal range for boutique fitness. But F45 is an outlier on marketing — a fixed $2,500 monthly charge regardless of studio size or revenue. Most competitors use a percentage-based marketing fee, which scales with the franchisee's capacity. F45's structure doesn't.

Citation capsule: F45 Training charges a 7% royalty (or $2,500/month minimum), 2% brand fund (or $200/month minimum), and a fixed $2,500/month marketing fee. Combined fixed monthly minimums total approximately $5,000 before percentage-based fees apply, making F45 one of the more expensive boutique fitness franchises at lower revenue levels.

What Do Most F45 Franchise Buyers Not Realise?

The average F45 franchise resale price is AUD $193,860, representing approximately 60% capital loss against the median initial investment of $450,000–$550,000. This single data point captures the central financial risk of the investment — and it's rarely discussed during the sales process.

The 5-year term problem

F45's franchise term is five years. That's short. Most franchise systems offer seven to ten years, and some food and beverage brands extend to fifteen or twenty. A shorter term means less time to amortize the initial investment, earlier renewal uncertainty, and a weaker negotiating position at renewal. For an investment of $450,000+, five years creates intense pressure to generate returns quickly.

[UNIQUE INSIGHT] The interaction between the short term and low resale values is what makes F45's risk profile distinct. You don't just face the possibility of low returns — you face a structural deadline. By year three, you're already thinking about renewal negotiations rather than growth. And if the franchisor chooses not to renew, you're facing a forced exit into a market where resale prices average $193,860.

Corporate instability is real

F45 was listed on the NYSE in 2022 and delisted in 2023 after significant share price deterioration. The company is now owned primarily by creditors, including Kennedy Lewis Investment Management. The global studio network has contracted from over 1,750 to approximately 1,600. These aren't abstract concerns — they affect franchisor support, technology investment, and long-term brand direction.

Member churn requires constant effort

Boutique fitness churn rates typically run 5–8% per month. For a studio with 300 members, that means losing 15–24 members every month. Just to hold steady, the studio needs to acquire that many new members — every single month. At F45's premium pricing of $220–$300 per month, that acquisition cost adds up fast. And the fixed $2,500 marketing fee doesn't flex to help during slow periods.

[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE] We've reviewed the economics of dozens of boutique fitness franchises. The consistent pattern is that buyers underestimate churn replacement costs and overestimate the stickiness of premium fitness memberships. The studios that succeed tend to be run by operators with deep local marketing skills, not passive investors.

Citation capsule: F45 franchise resale prices average AUD $193,860, representing a 60% capital loss against median initial investment. The 5-year franchise term — short by industry standards of 7–10 years — compounds this risk by limiting the capital recovery window. F45 delisted from the NYSE in 2023 and is now creditor-owned.

[INTERNAL-LINK: franchise renewal terms explained -> article on franchise term and renewal risks]

Is an F45 Franchise Worth It?

F45 Training carries an overall risk score of 6.70 out of 10 in our independent assessment, classified as Elevated Risk. The Financial Risk sub-score is 8.0 out of 10, driven by capital recovery challenges, the fixed fee squeeze, and low resale values. This doesn't mean every F45 franchise fails. It means the margin for error is narrow.

When it works

Strong-performing F45 studios generate $700,000+ in annual revenue and return $80,000–$120,000+ to an owner-operator. These studios typically have tight labour costs (25–28% of revenue), favourable rent (under 12%), and strong local member acquisition pipelines. They exist — but they represent the upper quartile, not the median.

When it doesn't

Studios generating below $400,000 face acute profitability pressure. Fixed fees of $60,000 per year, combined with labour costs of 25–40% and rent of 8–15%, leave almost nothing for the owner. At median revenue of $400,000–$550,000, the return is often $15,000–$50,000 before the owner's own labour is valued. That's a 3–10% return on a $500,000 investment.

Is that enough? For some buyers — those with realistic expectations, strong balance sheets, and genuine passion for fitness — it might be acceptable. But anyone modelling this as a wealth-building investment should reconsider. The numbers don't support it at median performance levels.

Citation capsule: F45 Training scores 6.70/10 (Elevated Risk) in independent risk assessment, with Financial Risk at 8.0/10. Strong performers return $80,000–$120,000+ annually on $700,000+ revenue, while median performers at $400,000–$550,000 revenue face thin margins of 3–10% ROI on a ~$500,000 investment.

How Does F45 Compare to Other Fitness Franchises?

F45's total investment of $349,000–$786,000 places it at the higher end of the boutique fitness segment, comparable to Orangetheory Fitness and substantially above budget gym franchises like Snap Fitness. But cost alone doesn't determine value — the fee structure, term length, and exit economics matter as much.

Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory charges a 10% royalty — higher than F45's 7% — but uses percentage-based marketing fees that scale with revenue. The franchise term is typically longer, and the brand has not experienced the same level of corporate restructuring. Investment ranges are broadly similar. Read the full analysis.

Body Fit Training

Body Fit Training (BFT) is an Australian-founded competitor with a growing network and lower entry costs for some formats. BFT's model also centres on group functional training but has shown stronger network growth trajectory in recent years. Read the full analysis.

Snap Fitness

Snap Fitness operates in a different segment — 24/7 access gyms with lower staffing requirements. Initial investment is typically lower, and the model doesn't carry the same trainer wage burden (10–15% of revenue versus F45's 25–40%). It's a fundamentally different business, but prospective fitness franchise buyers often compare them. Read the full analysis.

The right comparison depends on what kind of operator you are. If you want a class-based, community-driven fitness business and you're prepared to be hands-on, F45 remains one of the better-known brands in the category. But "better-known" and "better investment" aren't the same thing.

[INTERNAL-LINK: fitness franchise comparison guide -> article comparing fitness franchise options in Australia]

Citation capsule: F45's investment range of AUD $349,000–$786,000 sits at the upper end of boutique fitness franchises. Orangetheory charges a higher 10% royalty but uses scalable marketing fees. Snap Fitness offers lower entry costs and 10–15% labour burden versus F45's 25–40%, operating in a different segment entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is an F45 franchise fee in Australia?

The F45 franchise fee is AUD $60,000, payable upfront and non-refundable. This is separate from fitout, equipment, and working capital costs, which bring the total investment to $349,000–$786,000 plus GST. The franchise fee is standard for boutique fitness — neither unusually high nor low relative to competitors.

What are the ongoing fees for an F45 franchise?

F45 charges a 7% royalty on gross sales (or $2,500/month minimum), a 2% brand fund (or $200/month minimum), and a fixed $2,500/month marketing fee. Combined fixed minimums total approximately $5,000 per month. At lower revenue levels, these fixed charges consume a disproportionate share of gross revenue.

How much do F45 franchise owners make in Australia?

Revenue per studio typically ranges from $400,000 to $700,000 per year (est.). Strong performers earning $700,000+ may return $80,000–$120,000+ annually as owner-operators. Median performers face tighter margins of $15,000–$50,000, depending on labour, rent, and member acquisition costs. Returns are highly variable by location and operator capability.

Can you sell an F45 franchise?

Yes, but resale values are low. The average F45 franchise resale price is approximately AUD $193,860 — around 60% below the median initial investment. Factors include the short 5-year term, corporate restructuring history, and the discretionary nature of fitness memberships. Buyers should model a conservative exit scenario.

Is F45 a good franchise to buy in 2026?

F45 carries an elevated risk score of 6.70/10 in our independent analysis. The brand has strong recognition and a proven class format, but corporate instability (NYSE delisting, creditor ownership), high fixed fees, and weak resale values create meaningful downside risk. It works best for experienced, hands-on operators with realistic return expectations and strong financial reserves.

[INTERNAL-LINK: full F45 brand intelligence report -> /brand-reports/f45-training]