CHANGE
Know before you sign.
Independent, publicly sourced franchise intelligence for prospective buyers.
How much does a CHANGE franchise cost in Australia?
The total initial investment for a CHANGE franchise in Australia is Estimated $295,000–$1,400,000+ (total entry cost varies significantly by studio size and fit-out specification), based on publicly available figures.
The full report breaks down every cost category and how controllable each one is.
What are CHANGE's franchise fees and royalties?
CHANGE's published fees — royalty: Not publicly disclosed; typical for boutique fitness franchises: 6–8% of gross revenue (estimated); marketing levy: Not publicly disclosed; typical for boutique fitness franchises: 2–4% of gross revenue (estimated).
The full report maps the complete fee architecture and how each fee behaves as revenue moves.
Is a CHANGE franchise a good investment?
Independent analysis gives CHANGE a weighted risk score of 6.2 out of 10 — Elevated Risk. That is a finding, not a recommendation: suitability depends on the buyer's capital, experience, and risk tolerance.
What drives the score, and which buyer profiles the model suits, is detailed across five risk dimensions in the full report.
What do CHANGE franchisees regret?
A regret driver is a structural feature of a franchise system that operators most often wish they had understood before signing. These are the top 3 for CHANGE, by severity, from our independent analysis.
Member Acquisition Underestimation
HighTypically forms: Months 6-18**Onset timing:** Months 3–12 Members projected to acquire 150 members by month 6; acquire 90 instead.
The gap between projected and actual acquisition creates cash flow stress and forces operational trade-offs (reduced hours, less marketing spend) that further slow acquisition. Prospective operators underestimate the time required to build community reputation in a competitive market. They model member acquisition as a linear function of opening ("if I open a studio, members will come") when it is actually a function of reputation, instructor reputation, and sustained marketing investment. First-mover advantage does not exist in boutique fitness — the operator must outcompete existing studios to capture members, which takes time and patience. **Observable pattern:** Studio opening is not a revenue catalyst. It is the beginning of an acquisition journey that typically takes 12–18 months to reach sustainable member levels. ---
Instructor Dependency and Retention Shock
HighTypically forms: Months 6-18**Onset timing:** Months 6–24 The operator discovers that instructor retention is more difficult and more consequential than anticipated.
An instructor departure results in loss of members associated with that instructor. Replacing the instructor with an equivalent talent takes months. Revenue declines measurably. Operators understand intellectually that instructors are important, but underestimate the degree to which members are following specific instructors, not the brand. When a popular instructor leaves, the operator expects members to simply shift to other classes. Instead, members churn. The operator realises that compensation and retention of top instructors is not a cost to minimise — it is a competitive necessity. **Observable pattern:** The first significant instructor departure is typically a shock to the operator's financial model and confidence. It takes 2–3 such events for the operator to embed instructor retention into their strategic planning. ---
Labour Cost Inflation Pressure
HighTypically forms: Months 6-18**Onset timing:** Months 12–36 As the studio operates through its first 2–3 years, wage inflation, superannuation increases, and award rate changes compress labour margins.
The operator projected labour at 42% of revenue; actuals are 45%+. The margin improvement that was projected to occur naturally as the studio matured does not materialise. Operators model labour costs based on current wage rates, but do not model wage inflation or award changes. They assume that as the studio grows, labour as a percentage of revenue will decline (due to fixed overhead absorption). Instead, labour inflation and award rate increases offset volume benefits. The operator must choose: raise member prices (risking churn) or accept lower margins. **Observable pattern:** Frustration with franchisor lack of help on wage negotiation or industry benchmarking; realisation that this is a structural industry pressure, not a CHANGE-specific issue. ---
The full report covers 3 more regret drivers, each with its formation pathway — the specific decision that locks it in — plus the complete risk architecture and 30+ due diligence questions.
Overall Risk Score
6.2
out of 10
Risk Classification
Elevated Risk
Highest Risk Area
Financial Risk
7.3 / 10
Report Overview
CHANGE operates as a boutique fitness studio network offering functional training, reformer pilates, yoga, and integrated wellness programming. The franchise entered the Australian market as a rapidly expanding multi-location system, with publicly reported operations in New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. Founded within the last 15 years, CHANGE represents the "modern studio model" — a response to consumer appetite for specialised, community-driven fitness experiences positioned at a premium price point.
System Snapshot
What's in the CHANGE Report
Executive Intelligence Summary
CHANGE operates as a boutique fitness studio network offering functional training, reformer pilates, yoga, and integrated wellness programming.
System Snapshot
Note: Specific figures regarding royalty, marketing levy, and franchise term are not publicly available and are estimated based on comparable boutique fitness franchise models.
Structural Economics
The CHANGE franchise operates under fundamentally different economics than traditional gym franchises or production-based franchises.
Cost and Fee Architecture
All figures are directional estimates based on publicly available industry data for boutique fitness franchises and comparable studio models.
Network Dynamics and Territory Pressure
CHANGE is in a growth phase, with approximately 23 reported locations across three states.
Operator Reality
A CHANGE studio operator is not passive.
Profitability Structure
Profitability in a boutique fitness studio is determined by three primary variables:
Risk Architecture
FranchiseInsights assesses risk across five categories, weighted by their impact on franchisee outcomes:
Regret Drivers
Members projected to acquire 150 members by month 6; acquire 90 instead.
Suitability Analysis
Experienced fitness professionals (personal trainers, exercise physiologists, group fitness instructors, Pilates instructors) who are seeking to transition from being service providers to business owners.
Benchmark Position
CHANGE vs Service Franchises: Service franchises (e.g., cleaning, tutoring, beauty) require lower capital and offer simpler operations, but provide less brand differentiation and lower margins.
Key Questions to Ask
Final Intelligence Assessment
CHANGE is a stable franchise concept operating in a growing market category with demonstrated consumer demand and expanding network presence.
Risk Scores Preview
Investment midpoint of $848K is 287% above the fitness category median of $219K
5-year term is short, increasing pressure to recover investment quickly
Fitness operations require qualified trainers and extended operating hours
Network of 23 Australian outlets is relatively small, with less operational track record
Baseline score — detailed compliance assessment pending
Not ready for the full report? Start with a Quick Check — $29 with cost data and risk traffic lights for this brand.
Get the Full Report
$197
One-time payment. Instant access. No subscription.
This report is included in the Complete Package ($1,995). Get this + 307 other reports + due diligence tools + negotiation training.
Best suited for
- Prospective franchisees evaluating CHANGE
- Buyers comparing multiple franchise opportunities
- Accountants or lawyers advising franchise clients
- Anyone conducting franchise due diligence
Why pay for this report?
- Saves 20+ hours of independent research
- Structured analysis you won't find in blog posts
- Risk scoring framework used by consultants
- Costs 0.01% of the franchise investment it protects
Brand reports are compiled from publicly available data and independent research. FranchiseInsights is not affiliated with any franchise brand. Information may not be current. Verify all data independently before making decisions. Produced under the FranchiseInsights Editorial Standard.