CURVES: Robert Lay’s Story
The American dream of owning your own successful business seems to be going up in smoke for a lot of the Curves Franchise owners. The story you are about to read may seem like a Steven King horror novel but it is a real story that has happened to my wife and I. To all of the past, present and future owners of a Curves franchise please take the time to read the whole story as at the end we explain what we plan to do and how you as an ex or present owner may want to get involved.
My wife and I had owned and operated our own business for over 20 years and had been very successful at doing so. While we were making a great income from our business there was something missing in our life. Neither us felt that we were contributing to society but just taking and we decided to make a major change in our life. That was when we heard about Curves for Women. It was a new franchise that only had 300 or so clubs and for the first time in years we both became excited at the prospect of actually helping people reach their goals. We bought our first club in 1997 located in a city of thirty thousand. From the first day it opened it was more successful than our wildest dreams. Not only were we making excellent money but the personal rewards helping people better their lives was a truly rewarding feeling. I can still remember as if it was yesterday the first time a Dr. of one of our members came in to check out what we were doing as he couldn’t believe the ch
anges his patient had gone through. She had gotten off her high blood medication and had lost over 40 pounds in 4 months. It was truly amazing and over the years we have seen it happen numerous times over and over.
We sold our first club in 2001 and bought two more franchises. My wife became a mentor for Curves International around this time and I was helping to sell franchise for Curves International as so many of are members wanted to own a club. It was at this time that we started to see problems arising with Curves International but we attributed it to the fast growth that Curves was going through. In 2002 we bought two more franchises but this time they were in what was called a metro-area instead of city under thirty thousand in population.
The first problem we encountered with Curves International was in early 2003. Curves sold a franchise that was a corridor of land between one of our franchise’s and the next city 8 miles from our southern boarder. It was obvious to us that the territory didn’t have the necessary population to support a facility and that Curves International was selling any location just out of greed and the fact that there were so many people who wanted a franchise. The people who bought that franchise tried to open up on our border but it had always been an unwritten but followed rule of Curves International that you open in the middle of your territory so that disputes between owners over stealing members from your territory didn’t arise. We immediately filed a complaint with Curves International and they stopped the new owner from opening at that location. Unfortunately for the new owners there were no other commercial locations between the two cities so they were forced into selling that franchise back to Curves International for a loss.
It was also at this time that Curves International started to change personnel. The employee’s who we had a personal relationship with that had started Curves International with Gary Heavin were leaving the company at an alarming rate. Seven employees that were the top management of Curves left or were forced out because of Gary Heavin’s greed. They ended up filling a law suit against Curves which was later settled out of court. It was at this time that Diane Heavin became involved with Curves and a whole new history was being written about how Curves was started. The original Curves member guide which was written by Gary Heavin and June Manley was taken off the market and the new Curves book authored by of course Gary Heavin was on the top 10 of the Times best seller list.. To make sure it was on the Times best seller list all the clubs had to order at least on case. That is when we as owners realized Heavin was a manipulator and not the born again Christian he portrayed to be. It was also at this time that the price to buy a franchise more than doubled in price. This came as quite a surprise as Heavin had always maintained that he would never ever increase his franchise price and he even swore on the bible in front of a group at club camp that he would never break his word on that. Well as we all know he didn’t keep that promise for long, which just shows his greed.
At this point my wife and I became quite concerned and even considered selling our business but other problems arose concerning Curves International that demanded our full attention. In 2004 another Curves location located on our boarder of one of our metro-areas hired two of our employees and stole around 15 members from our club. Both employees had signed the anti covenant not to compete and in our state those agreements are strictly enforced by the courts. We considered going to court but since it was another Curves facility we decided to file a complaint with Curves International. And to let them handle it. What a mistake that was as they did nothing. We transferred the members files but refused to transfer the money for the members dues until such time that Curves International responded to our complaint. We were told by the area director, which was a new position at Curves International, that we were trouble makers and he refused to send any of are clubs the members appreciation bags. Shortly thereafter Curves International resold the corridor of land that had been sold back to them at a loss from the previous owners and they allowed the new owners to open up in nearly the same location that they had refuse the previous owners only a year and a half before. The new owners advertised in our area and ended up getting 10 or 11 members to transfer to their club. Again we held their monthly dues but did transfer the members files. We immediately filed a complaint but again got the same response nothing. It didn’t take long for most of the members who transferred to come back to our club as the other location was small and in a very run down area and to this day that club has not shown a profit and has been sold numerous times over the years for little to nothing.
Then in 2005 the real problems with Curves International started that we are still contending with today. In one of our metro-areas a competitor by the name of Ladies Workout Express opened up right across the street from our location. Unknown to us they had hired our manager and one other employee from that location and when the employee’s left they had stolen off our computer our member files. They ended up stealing over two thirds of our membership with in a week. The employees had signed the covenant not to compete so we immediately hired a lawyer and prepared for a lawsuit. As I stated before in our state that agreement is strictly enforced but it took four months to get it into court. During this time that location was losing so much money that we decided to move the location next to our other territory so that both clubs could stay open. We sent in the required change of location form to Curves International but never heard anything back from them so we went ahead and relocated in late 05. The owners of the Ladies Workout Express eventually went broke because of the lawsuit and the fact that they would end up owing us monetary damages. They filed for bankruptcy to prevent us from collecting any monetary awards in Dec 05 but we did have the satisfaction knowing that we did what was right
In early 06 we were informed by Curves International that because we abandon that location they were terminating all of our franchise agreements. We immediately requested mediation for all of our clubs which is authorized by our franchise agreements with Curves International. We never heard back from them so we hired a lawyer in Waco, TX to represent us. He proceeded to send them a letter requesting the same mediation process and they did respond to him. They sent him letter stating that it was premature to go through the mediation process at that time as they were in the process of researching our reason for moving. Curves International continued to debit our account for the franchise and advertising fees for all the other clubs we owned but stopped talking the fees for the one territory that they stated we abandoned. The lawyer had us send Curves International a check for the fees and a new authorization form for them to deduct it from our account. Neither our lawyer or ourselves ever heard anything back from Curves International so we all assumed that things were back to normal.
In the spring of 07 we made the decision to start selling off all of our clubs and to completely retire. It didn’t take me long to sell the club we owned that wasn’t in a metro-area and I agreed to stay with the new owner’s to help train them how to run the business. We sent all the documentation into Curves International and the sale was completed by January 08. That freed my wife and I up to concentrate on our metro-area clubs and to get them ready for sale. In Feb of 08 we heard that a Curves club was opening in one of our territories within a mile of our current club. We could not understand how Curves International could do such a thing. We again filed a complaint by phone and e-mail to Curves International and several weeks later we were informed by e-mail that they didn’t know what we were talking about. We were told we didn’t own any franchises and hadn’t since we were terminated in 05. That came as quite a shock to my wife and I as our franchise and advertising fee’s had been deducted all along from our checking account and we had just recently sold a club that they were telling us we never owned. We had a local lawyer send a letter to the new owners explaining the situation and that we would be seeking legal recourse against Curves International and depending on the outcome they were opening themselves up to a potential lawsuit. During this time we had bought and paid in full for the Smart Equipment for Curves International and were waiting for the installation which was scheduled for the June 24th. On June 20th , a Friday we received a phone message telling us that the Curves Smart Installation was canceled and that we had to call Curves legal for an explanation. We left messages both e-mail and phone every 30 minutes on Monday June 23rd and finally late in the afternoon we received an e-mail stating that one of there lawyers would be in touch with us before the end of the day, They never sent an e-mail or a phone call as was promised but by mid day the next day they did respond by e-mail. It stated because of the problems with the members transfers, the fact that we abandoned a franchise, and that we had interfered with the opening of the new franchise located in our territory we weren’t approved for the Curves Smart. Yet in late May they had sent all the promotional ad material for the Curves Smart and of course we had gone to a considerable amount of expense for training the employees, advertising and promotion of the Curves Smart equipment. It was at this point that my wife and I decided that drastic action had to be taken against Heavin and Curves International.
While we still love the concept of Curves we feel that because of the deceptive and we believe fraudulent business practices that Heavin has allowed under his management Curves will eventually end up in the toilet so to speak. After spending many hours on the internet we have found that there are many lawsuits against this man and his company. Just read some of the post’s that are on franchisepick.com from owners concerning the new ten thousand fee if your club goes under and closes to the vitamins that were sold in Feb and March by Ideas in Action at a discount to owners without telling them that they would expire at the end of May. The lack of support and communication from Curves International that all of us owners are going through is intolerable. It is impossible for an owner to get through to them on the phone and good luck if you expect a call back in a timely manor. The fact that we as owners pay a lot of money for our advertising fees and have no accounting of where it is spent and a quite frankly we never see many ads in our area.
I have taken the time to do the necessary research to find several good lawyers who handle franchise law who are more than willing to help Curves owners who are having similar problems with Curves. I for one am going to go after Curves International and Gary Heavin in a court of law. These are not class action but group action lawsuit and if you don’t understand the difference contact me and I will explain it to you. There have been over 200 such lawsuit filed against Curves in the last several years and while some have been settled in mediation others are in the process of going to litigation. If you are a past or present Curves owner who has experienced these problems and want satisfaction whether it be monetary or revenge please contact me. We have several options that we can go and I for one am positive we will win as the other lawsuits have been successful so far and have set a precedent for ours. It is time for the owners of Curves franchises either past or present to stand up together and put a stop to Heavins’s ramped destruction of peoples lives just for monetary greed.
Thanks for reading our post and God Bless you all.
ARE YOU AN CURVES FRANCHISE OWNER OR FORMER CURVES FRANCHISEE?
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CURVES FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY?
PLEASE SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
Nebraska Owner:
I’m sure everyone here is happy for you if your Curves is doing well. Most hold no ill will toward owners or would wish that ALL owners had to close. And many of us are closing (after seeing no ‘bounty’) without trying to sue for a piece of anyone’s pie….
But there are many reasons for a Curves business closing. We all worked hard, we gave our hearts and lives and money, and we all tried to stay open. Afterall, who purposely tries to ruin ones own business? “Growing up” means being a rational responsible adult too, and knowing when it has to be over.
If all is well with you and your Curves, it may behoove you to show some humility, as you may need it in the future.
Nebraska,
Ridiculous!
The original owners of these clubs made a killing, but the current owners can’t make their loan payments each month.
Curves International has all these guidelines in place for the seller and buyer when a club is being sold. These things were not available when many of us purchased our clubs. Hmmm. Wonder why they are so involved now?
“The original owners of these clubs made a killing, but the current owners can’t make their loan payments each month.”
So isn’t that the point that Curves is making – that the original owners (franchisees) resale sellers f***ed over those they sold to so bad that they were beyond saving? So CI just gave up on them (or didn’t even try) since they were beyond hope and nothing they could do would change the fact ?
I’m not saying it’s right, but isn’t that CI’s point about “pruning”? Wasn’t that also the point jd was making?
How many of those closed or closing think their clubs weren’t lost causes and could have been saved with a better franchisor?
Gyms are closing doors because of unhealthy economy
“SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – Utah’s poor economic health is taking its toll on places where people go to get healthy: Gyms, Fitness Centers and Health Clubs.
“More than a dozen Utah facilities have closed their doors so far in 2010, leaving contract holders with worthless paper.
“Corporate officials won’t release numbers, but we know at least ten Curves locations in Utah have closed in the past year, along with at least a pair of Gold’s Gym locations and both Bally Total Fitness locations.”
http://www.abc4.com/content/news/slc/story/Gyms-are-closing-doors-because-of-unhealthy/lad98TnBvka8iC3tk7lgdw.cspx
Sponsored links support UnhappyFranchisee.com
Here’s a new Curves idea. It altready has “curves” in the name. This might get a little more attention for our clubs.
Exotic Curves Pole Fitness Studio
“The Bensonhurst native found a former television repair shop on Fifth Avenue, renovated it over the past three months, and installed 10 steel poles. Along with pole dancing, the studio will offer belly dancing, a Latin dance/fitness program called Zumba, and lap dancing. Classes start at $20. ”
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/30/all_poledancingclass_2010_07_23_bk.html
Hi everybody,
I read every post here and I feel bad for the people losing their homes and possessions. I am a current Curves owner in a Philly suburban town. I opened my first Curves club in 2000. I eventually owned 3 clubs but sold two awhile ago. My contract with Curves was up in June but I’ve been renewing monthly with Curves because I loved my members and I wanted to see it continued. After reading here and lots of soul searching I told the broker at McCord to withdraw my club from the listings and I will close it the end of August.
When I bought my Curves 10 years ago and went to Waco for training. I was immediately stuck with the egomaniac , Howie as you call him. I chalked it off to the idea that any big idea man usually has some crazy in him. Also it was not as professional as I assumed it would be. It was more like a church rally and that hey I just paid alot money and here I’m at the moonies convention.
I went back to open my first club and guess what, no mentor showed up to help me open.
I had a very successful club for many years and I am very grateful for that and Nebraska, I don’t have any money left because I had 3 children and they went to to college and I had bills to pay so please don’t be so judgmental of people here. A successful club does not make tons of money that you can sock away. Plus when the Sh#T hit the fan starting in 2006 alot of that money went into keeping the business going. In 2008 when the economy tank the non renewals really took off and my rent was increasing regardless of the economic situation. I have a 1600 sq ft store front and my rent was hitting over $3500 a month. We tried to get him to lower it but they didn’t budge. Howie reaction to this is move…well dumboo what happens when your obligated because you have a signed lease…
It started to get so bad that I just paid what I could. I will have no financial obligation to Curves but I will dealing with landlords when I close and I am pretty nervous about that.
Do I feel that this is Howie’s fault that Curves is tanking, probably most of it and the economy just sped it up a bit.
He was greedy and stuck Curves within 2 miles of each other in my area and alot of owners suffered. He was unbend able in helping people when a Planet Fitness moved right near a Curves club and there no response from him or the AD’s which by the way are a joke. They had nothing but stay the course and take everybody over with him. I know within my area there will be no Curves within 2 years. Snap Fitness is coming to my area and I am so glad to get out now before they open and watch more members go there because they’re open longer, they have treadmills, I can bring my child there…..
As for the trolls on this site, I think everybody needs to ignore them. My daughter works for a large Public relations firm in NYC and she told me that companies will hire people to troll around the sites doing damage control, so the less we pay attention to them the better off every will be.
I Just like to say in closing, that I think it is despicable that Mike Raymond is saying that they are pruning Curves businesses. When I bought my Curves, Howie wanted people that had no experiences of running a business. There was no screening process in place to make sure people knew how to run a business and they didn’t care what happen to you once you paid your money and they could collect royalty and advertising fees.
I will be so glad to move on from this business. Has anybody had experiences with landlords and what happens once you close. I would appreciate it.
Thanks and God Bless all of you!
Closed my doors today. Looking forward to al life again!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Robert, unhappy, et al.
To PatNPhilly:
I have a question. You said you were renewing on a monthly basis with Curves? How did you do that and can you do that? I thought that you had to sign a 5 year contract with them if you wanted to renew? Please advise.
No, you don’t have to sign for 5 years if you are a current owner. I have heard of yearly, one year being the minimum.
Really? I just spoke to an owner last week who is going to close in two weeks. She told me that she tried to get out of renewing for 5 years. She wanted less years but that they didn’t want to work with her. She then said that the area director told her that she would tell Curves Int. that she wants to petition for less years, but she doubts that they would approve it. Please advise.
p.s. PatNPhilly said they were renewing on a monthly basis?
I just got this from a poor soul that still has a Curves. It was sent out as a promo piece. from CI. If you would like to comment to the producer, his name is Grant Mansfield and the main number for the company (RDF) is 310-309-6155. Their email is contactus@rdfusa.com.
Dear US Curves Franchisees,
Amidst the sweltering August heat, we’ve had some good news that we wanted to
pass along.
Gary and Diane Heavin will be featured in a one-hour prime time program on the
ABC television network this fall. While we don’t yet have an exact air date,
the series, titled “Secret Millionaire” will air on Friday nights at 8PM EST,
7PM CST. We wanted you to be among the first to know.
According to the network, the basic premise behind the series is this:
Secret Millionaire is a one-hour alternative series that follows some of
America’s wealthiest people for one week as they conceal their true identities,
and go to live and volunteer in some of the most impoverished and dangerous
communities in America. Surviving on welfare wages, their mission is to discover
the unsung heroes of America-deserving individuals who continually sacrifice
everything to help those in need. Throughout this incredible experience, the
Secret Millionaires will attempt to remain undiscovered, coming face to face
with extraordinary and amazing people battling the odds every day of their
lives. On the final day, in an emotional and dramatic climax, they reveal their
true identities. Ultimately, the millionaires will each give away at least
$100,000 of their own money, changing lives forever.
Gary and Diane’s episode has already been filmed. They spent a week in Houston’s
Third Ward, living in a run-down row house with no air-conditioning. For 15
hours a day, they worked with social-service organizations helping AIDS
patients, kids with incarcerated parents, and other at-risk groups. At the end
of the week, they made a charitable donation that Diane says was “quite a bit
more” than the $100,000 the show calls for.
We think the program will show Curves and our founders at their best. So many of
you have demonstrated compassion and generosity in your local communities,
day-in and day-out. If this program can represent, in some way, the good work
you do, we’ll be well-satisfied.
We’ll keep you posted as we get an actual airdate, and you’ll certainly want to
let your members know.
Sincerely,
Mike Raymond
President,
Curves International, Inc.
We are one of the poor souls that still own a Curves. All though we know what BS this is we are going to run with it. We need any publicity we can get. We hope all Curves owners will go with it and put it out there. Hay we are doing every thing possible to stay afloat.
RB
Can’t blame you Ray. But publicity tied to Heavin is a double-edged sword. Today the cause might be inner city youth but tomorrow it could be a crusade against pro-choice groups or a ban on gay marriage.
Why not do charitable promotions on this scale that make Curves franchisees the heroes, not Gary & Diane? After all, it’s the franchise owners’ money being donated.
Here’s the story in Waco Trib. Mike Raymond sure is reassuring.
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/Curves-founders-Gary-and-Diane-Heavin-making-mark-on-ABC-reality-show.html
Mike Raymond makes me want to throw up. Sorry, but their over zealous pride in themselves is sickening when so many are struggling. My husband came in today thrilled that our bank allowed us to refinance our loan we owe for our closed Curves. Now he only has to work 40 extra hours a pay period to still NOT make ends meet. He does not get a day off. Our credit is shot and we have to portion out our funds just to put food on the table instead of paying most of our bills, but we are still more fortunate than others that we have not lost everything. But they are touting that they are one of the wealthiest people. Spread the love Heavins….to the ones that made you…the franchisees. If the Heavins wanted to see people struggling all they had to do was look out their own ‘ window’ and see all the franchisees who have lost their homes and cannot find work. I have a very strong history in my previous field of work prior to Curves, yet after 2 months I am still struggling to find work.
Please take people seriously on this board if you are considering buying a Curves. It will be one of the worst mistakes you will make. Homes lost, failed marraiges (my husband and I have had our share of arguments due to the stress of this), health ruined due to high stress…the list goes on and on. Just don’t do it.
Here’s an article about a club owner in Alabama recently moved her club and added tanning beds; http://www.franklincountytimes.com/2010/08/04/curves-for-women-opens-in-new-russellville-location/. I wonder if Curves corporate will tell her to stop?
[deleted]
Pls. do not post under the screennames of others. ADMIN
Sadderbutwiser
Could I ask you who you are addressing your comment to. I’m confused. I’m wondering who you are and what you are doing on this site.
Someone hijacked my screen name. It’s probably the dude mentioned in the WSJ article. He’s a former McCord broker who bailed when the bottom of Curves fell out. Now he sells health clubs to other suckers. He’s posted incorrect personal info here about my situation before. Not very professional
He knows nothing about my situation. We didn’t split our territories. Curves opened a territory to our west and we bought it to avoid losing half our membership.
Moderator, can you remove the hijacked thread, and this one, too?
I am a Curves owner in Fl who knows sadderbutwiser. [del]
No, you’re not. You’re a commenter who was asked to leave before because of personal attacks and the blatant pitching of your broker services. Once again: please go away. Thanks, ADMIN
Thank you, administrator.
I’ll stop posting here. I seem to draw this stalker out wherever I post. He attacked me over at Franchise Pick and now he’s followed me here.
To those who are enduring the nightmare we faced, stay strong. There are times I wanted to end my life over this disaster, but I couldn’t take the coward’s way out. I’m a stronger, wiser person because of this ordeal.
I wish you all the best, even the broker who thinks he knows my story. Take care.
Sadderbutwiser:
He will not get the opportunity to cause the kind of trouble he did at FranchisePick.com. There was even more aggravation behind the scenes. Believe me, he’s gone, gone, gone.
You are welcome to continue to post, as you and the other contributors have undoubtedly helped others by sharing your challenges and experiences. Unfortunately, this is obviously not the end of the closings, nor the challenges owners and recent ex-owners will face.
We want to close our Curves. We are in a small town and ony have 95 members. This is ridiculous to try to stay open. I am a owner only on legal paper, because my friends didn’t want to go to club camp. They talked me into letting them put me as an owner just so they wouldn’t have to attend club camp. This was the most stupid thing I have done.
I tried to remove my name as an owner and CI says it will be $1,000. I feel like I am drowning with stress and worry. I even came down with Shingles. My friends are behind on federal and state taxes. We just want to get out of this Curves business. Please give us some advice. I would hate to sell and get someone else in this mess. No wonder the previous owner sold it to my friends at such a low price. Help!!
re landlords and broken leases. I broke two leases as I closed two franchises last year. We also lost our home to foreclosure and used up virtually all our savings as I struggled to “get thru the hard times”.
Today our Ch. 7 bankruptcy was finally filed. Now we can finally start over.
One corporate landlord has been kind and patient.
One female who represents a family ‘corporation’ that was my other landlord (I had 2 franchises) has been vindictive and nasty. She has dragged me thru several court proceedings that were all unnecessary as I have told her continually that I was working on the bankruptcy. (I wonder that she changed lawyers probably because her first firm told her the bankruptcy made it useless?) She will have one more chance to verbally berate me when we have the hearing next month, then I should finally be done with her. I will feel bad of course, but then I will get thru it.
Both of the places I rented were re-let and re-opened within 2 months (one a yoga studio the other a tai-chi studio). Neither landlord suffered many months of lost income. Her vindictiveness is all about personality.
We are currently stuck with 12 pieces of Curves workout equipment. We have contact the prisons statewide as recommended by CI could not even give it to them. We have tried selling the equipment at any price to every owner within 200 miles to no avail. Can anyone tell me what to do with the curves equipment? This nightmare is still sucking a $150 a month out of us. Please give me your best ideas.
Have you tried craigslist.com to sell your equipment? It does not have the numbers that eBay has, but it is free. You may also contact area schools or churches to donate your machines and maybe get a tax write-off. Good luck.
Elizabeth where are you located. I know a women’s shelter that could use it.
to Elizabeth: except for our stretch machine – we sold that for $700 (great deal) , all of the other equipment was GIVEN to another Curves who wanted to make their circuit a “1 x around deal.” They even picked it up. It was a relief to see it gone. The prisons don’t want it or it is so much red tape to go thru just to give it to them.
I am in the southeast
Is it really true that if you ignore CI and close before contract end date that they will try to intimidate and then go away? I am a resale flop. I have fought with all I have like most comments I have read on this site. Husband has recently become disabled and can’t work any more and our wonderful economic reality of our government has cut back on the disability amount. I have not made a so- called pay check of any sorts since I bought it 2 years ago. now we have used way TO MUCH of what we have saved and it’s down to depletion.I have no insurance and I also need to have a surgery but can’t afford it at this point. So I have done the first set of paperwork for closing the sent me “Club Worksheet ” and “Expense report” and received the jaw dropping demands on franchise abandonment and what to do with MY equipment …Well I know what I would like to do with it but I don’t think it will fit,,hahahahah…anyway I’m in Texas and if I can claim the PRUNING PROJECT ..that’s for me.. I was actually sending that back as my response in addition to my Blank “Closing Paper work” .What do you really think?
TN,
Where in Texas are you located? I am also in Texas.
Unhappy,
We haven’t heard from you in awhile. Hope you’re doing well.
What’s going on with everyone? No posts from unhappy for sometime. What happened to the Yahoo group that was going to be established for Curves that closed, closing, or just hanging on by a thread. Lawsuits…..where do we stand on those? Could someone here please give us an update on the above mentioned?
Thanks,
hello,
I and my wife have managed the local curves for 3 years and assumed complete responsibility for its financial survival. (the prior owner would have closed if we had not done this, and curves international would not accept our purchase offer).
the good news.. we are doing well and have steadily grown from our initial opening membership of 25 to around 210 in the last 3 years.
for us, since curves will not have us because of my contracting business debt, being a franchise beyond the current contract term (which will be up in april) is simply not an option.
my questions..
has anybody reopened an independent ladies gym under a new name while continuing to use the curves equipment and curves smart?
what names are people using for their new business?
how does curves intl respond to such facilities?
as additional background, we bought our current set of equipment from a failed club as well as the curves smart, so the equipment is ours. any insight on these questions would be appreciated. thanks
Undecided wrote: “What’s going on with everyone? No posts from unhappy for sometime. What happened to the Yahoo group that was going to be established for Curves that closed, closing, or just hanging on by a thread.”
Unfortunately, unhappy had issues with the open nature of the discussion here. He threatened that he would stop posting unless particular commenters who disagreed with or challenged him/her were banned. I have banned people for being disruptive or threatening, but not for holding specific viewpoints or opinions. Even if I wanted to (which I don’t), it would create liability issues. As an open forum, commenters (not the site) are responsible for the opinions they express.
unhappy also wanted to take the discussions private, which is fine but not what UnhappyFranchisee.com is all about. The little bit of attention that the mainstream media has given to the challenges of Curves franchise owners is due, in no small part, to franchisees’ public comments posted here and previously on FranchisePick.com. The WSJ writer Richard Gibson first read about the situation in the comments sections here when he featured the site in an earlier article. I believe it will be a real tragedy if Curves owners stop sharing their opinions publicly and allow the Curves franchise sales machine to start up once again while the “prunees” remain silent or talk quietly amongst themselves.
I am getting many emails from across the world (especially Australia) from Curves owners desperate for others to share their opinions and experiences (like Geoff’s above). Please share your questions here on this or the other Curves posts, and I will both post them as a list and email them out to current and past commenters.
Franchisees and ex-franchisees, please share your experiences. Many people are asking what it means to be “pruned”… Does that mean they will let you off the hook after you close or will you be hounded for every last cent? If you are involved with the lawsuits, how are they going?
Someone commented earlier that if 1/3 of U.S. McDonald’s franchises closed, it would dominate the news and franchisees would be screaming bloody murder. Undecided makes a good point… the silence is deafening.
I recently closed my club the end of July. I would like to hear from others about what they have experienced with CI’s recourse for action.
Its quite a bummer that when I bought my Curves I was so proud and excited, I had acheived and fulfilled a dream of mine. Filled with Passion for Curves and everything I was led to believe it stood for. Not too long afterwards, I can remember having a conversation with my AD, that with so many Curves worldwide, why did I feel so alone in this. Now we all are seeking support and advice from one another…all of us feel as though we’ve failed somehow. Giving everything we have to keep our doors open, and keep these wonderful women feeling supported. It COSTS me money everyday I come to my club to work 12 to 14 hr days. Turn on the lights, the music, the AC or the Heat, smile all day give encouragment…..this is insane. Every penny that I’ve worked for to this point in my life has been depleated because of this. What makes us feel as though we should continue this?
I closed my club in July. I just got my letter they want $33,000 for the term left. If I stayed open and they received the minimal royalties it would have totaled $8,700. I guess this is how they showed a profit last year. Where do they expect us to get this kind of money and if I had money laying around why would I have closed. Is he preying on all of us that opened our business with “no experience necessary”. I don’t get it, no one buys a business and then closes it for the hell of it. Do other franchises work the same way demanding all of their money left in the term?
Its just like them to try to suck us dry of any life or last breath we may have. Also interesting that my AD told me that I shouldn’t be including my $1200.00 crank I have to pay on my loan for the purchase of my club on my club assessment is a joke. Excuse me, but isn’t that an expense? Uh, no…that is personal debt that shouldn’t have anything to do with the operation of my club. Also not to mention the 45 50 hours a week I work and don’t pay out in payroll because if you remember we work for Free! WHAT???? So, the fact that I paid $150,000 for my club, is my fault, gee maybe they would have just given it to me for free! Yes, they should have, because now I can’t even give it away with all of the bad publicity and negative media. I’ll live through this, but we will all meet our maker in the end! I just hope I’m behind Howie and his sweet little bride in line, so I can laugh when the good Lord dishes out his. I really hate how angry and bitter this whole experience has made me!
Drained,
Interest payments are an expense. Not the principal payment.
It will be okay. We’ve all become angry and bitter. It is hard to get through the days sometimes. We keep working and going into our clubs, all the while thinking about everything we have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for our members. It’s really hard when they complain because they have no idea how much we are sacrificing for them.
I keep telling myself, if I come out of this as an angry, bitter person, then I am no better then Gary and the person who ripped me off. It will take some time to heal from this entire situation, but someday things will be better. I don’t know why we have all endured this in our lifetime, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that it could be worse. The things we have lost can be replaced, and if they cannot, we didn’t need them.
I am wondering why the news seems to care so much about Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees and not Curves.
I’ve worked at Curves for the past year and having had no previous affiliation nor knowledge of the workout with the franchise, and I was pleasantly surprised by the workout as I found it quite unique. Many of the members that I have come to know and love also feel the same way.
Having read the previous posts above, I think that it’s terrible what has happened and is happening to franchise owners and I am deeply sympathetic towards you all. I also feel this way towards my boss/owner as we have a declining membership that is taking its toll on us as well.
I am still a fan of the workout, and since its addition to my own fitness regiment I have found that it meets my needs for strength training, which I did not previously do very much of. I know we suggest to members that they walk or do other physical activities together with the Curves workout, but I think that the Curves corporation would benefit from partnering with other fitness practices for variety and to meet this need for added physical activity.
I scanned and read in the above comments that Gary was looking at incorporating Zumba at some of the clubs? I’m not sure if that is true, but I think that considering that is a good start. As a previous member of larger community centres, women’s fitness chains, and worked at and used smaller yoga/pilates studios, I think that the Curves workout and equipment would benefit from being in a facility that also housed other activities or fitness programs. This would benefit the members in their health goals and give them the variety they need, and also promote the club to others that wouldn’t normally go there. I really hope that Curves Intl takes this into consideration because the franchises need a boost, as do the member”s overall fitness regime due to the repetitive and basic nature of the Curves workout.
@ Geoff on September 4th, 2010 1:17 pm …
Firstly, congratulations on your success with rebuilding your club and growing your member’s base. I am curious as to how you did that and would you have and be willing to share some tips that you could share with the rest of the Curves franchises?
Secondly, I also think your idea to incorporate the equipment and build another women’s gym is fantastic! I would actually be quite keen to open a facility like that using the same equipment and have additional resources and fitness programs available to the members in a larger facility. If you find out if it is possible to use the equipment like that without any legal repercussions, go for it and I’d like to know how you go.
All the best to you and other Curves owners.
I’ve watched the price of this particular Curves in Orando fall for the past 18 months at McCord Business Brokers. The wording NEVER changed. Check it out:
“Take Over Business! Reduced! Dr. Phillips, Florida. Business Stability with High Income! Prosperous Curves franchise in an affluent neighborhood with a high opportunity for growth!”
This week, the owners FINALLY got a buyer. The club is under contract for sale. Check out the sales price.
ID: 1465 | Orlando, FL | Orange County | $1
That’s right. A measly BUCK. And since McCord gets 5 percent of any franchise sale, tMcCord gets a whopping NICKEL. The owners walk away with 95 cents for their sweat and toil.
Incredible.
Now that the last class action is over, does anyone know if there will be another one soon.
From what I was told there would only be so if there were enough people to do so.
I look forward to hearing from anyone with any information or help on this matter.
Thanks!
Unhappy,
Where are you and where have you been. When I first closed my club, a year next month, i felt I had someone that was pulling for me and all the others like me. Why aren’t you posting anymore to let us know what is happening? I got another call from Serota Law firm. I didn’t answer it but he just left me another snotty message saying the same thing he said last time. He’ll be turning this matter back to CI since i refuse to get back to him to settle this matter. What Is going on with the class action suits? What is CI up to of late? Are we still supposed to ignore the situation. That is what I am doing since i did not abondon them, they abandoned me. Believe me, I don’t lose any sleep over this anymore but I do, as others, would love to know what has been going on. Could you please post again as your support meant a lot to many of us. Thanks!
Tickedoff – I have many of the same questions. I know unhappy, per the previous post, became unhappy with this forum, but at the same time it was the only place I could turn to keep me a little sane during the closing of my club in the spring. Daily I think of what may still be to come, and not being able to find updates here isn’t helping. I didn’t know the class action suit was over – does anyone know the outcome? I still would like to know what’s going on with CI pursuing our prematurely closed clubs with $$ demands and what we should do. I have heard nothing since my exhorbitant demand letter, on the heels of which I found out I’d been “pruned.” I sleep better at night, but still have a ton of anxiety about what may be coming. Though unhappy, with kindest entreaty to please come back – please – may not come back, if there are others still in the know lurking, please update us. I just don’t want to be blindsided, and there are, certainly, others looking to this forum as an important of information, good or bad, buying a club or closing a club.
Howie and CI have stooped to a new low. My wife went to Curves to pull the Breast Cancer flyers and guess what, they now charge $10.00 to use them. What do we get for our $195.00 franchise fee and our $95.00 advertising fee? Not a damn thing!! We bought the Curves and moved it into a brand new facility in June, 2009. Fifteen months and still not one person from Curves has set foot in our club. Please help me to spread the word, don’t buy a Curves. All it you get is a money pit for Howie!! I’m a dumb ass! I’m a dumb ass!! My new theme song.
I had heard the trial starts in December in Waco. Has someone heard differently?
Unhappy where are you…?
Yes, I was wondering the same thing..
I also would not of been able to sleep at night without your posts.
I hope you come back, as you were our voice of hope…but I can understand if this would have drained you, as it would anyone.
I hope you read this as I wanted to say a Big Thank You for all your posts…it was the only thing that stopped me from having panic attacks…worrying what might happen… and thank you for having the guts for putting yourself out there supporting everyone who posted that wanted your help….Once again a Big Thank You. Take Care, and Good Luck…
Sadderbutwiser
You mentioned that there may be another Class Action in December, do you have anymore information, as I was just informed that there would not be one yet!!
Just a thought, after all the cases have been resolved, maybe they (current and former owners) are asked to post anything as part of the deal……Just thinking……