Curves franchise owners, former franchise owners and all those associated with the Curves organization are invited to leave a farewell message to Gary Heavin below.
Yes, it’s official.
Gary and Diane Heavin have finalized the sale of Curves International to North Castle Partners.
Please share a farewell message with Gary, below, and let him know what impact he has had on your life, your finances, your credit, and the well being of your family.
Here is the good news that the surviving Curves franchise owners received:
Dear Curves Franchisee,
Diane and I and the team from NCP are excited to announce the completion of Curves International’s long anticipated equity deal with North Castle Partners. We have spent countless hours together over the past seven months educating each other on our business models and have already built a strong partnership. Together we are excited to lead Curves to its full potential.
Diane and I will continue to play an important leadership role in the company serving as members of the board of directors and continuing to be stewards of the brand and keeper of the original mission – strengthening women! In the next few weeks, North Castle expects to announce the hiring of a new Chief Executive Officer and we look forward to introducing that CEO to you. Other talented key executives are expected in the coming months to complement the talented team already in place.
We recognize turning around the performance of Curves in North America begins with a more profitable franchise. In order to meaningfully increase franchise profits, we anticipate that the new leadership team will enact a number of changes and they will need your patience and cooperation in helping the entire system reach its potential. While we have a lot of ideas as to what will change, the turnaround and operating plan will be developed by the newly hired CEO in partnership with the existing team, other new hires and the board of directors. The new CEO will share key pieces of the plan at the convention in October. In addition to some marketing and operating changes, moving to one Curves brand is critical to our future success and this includes having 100% participation in Curves products and programs including Curves OS and Curves Complete.
We hope many of you will make it to the convention to meet the new CEO, other new team members, and Chip Baird and Jon Canarick from North Castle. We know it will be an exciting few days as we learn from each other and all partner together to move Curves forward. We appreciate your patience as we work through this transition. We are very excited to provide you with an experienced, talented new leadership team that will take you and the Curves brand to its full potential.
While it’s a new day, it’s still great to be at Curves!
Gary & Diane
Also read: CURVES: Curves Posts on Unhappy Franchisee
Gary Heavin on ABC Secret Millionaire: What do CURVES Franchisees Think?
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH CURVES INTERNATIONAL, GARY HEAVIN OR DIANE HEAVIN? FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A FAREWELL OR COMMENT BELOW.
tags: Curves sold, Curves bought, Curves International sold, Gary Heavin, Diane Heavin, Gary Heavin Out, North Castle Partners, Curves franchise, Curves Complaints, Curves Scam, Curves lawsuits, Curves unhappy franchisee, Curves acquisition
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@ Joe...I think if there is some way for some Franchises to get out..I do hope you post that information for everyone...thank-you!
Wow, you people have to take responsibility for your own actions. When the money was flowing like water everyone loved Curves and couldn't get enough. Territories were sold out immediately and there were lines of women waiting to sign up and hop on the circuit. The economy started to boom and people were living large. Curves, Gary, forwarned his franchisees and through this business model, kept costs down and gave women the opportunity to have successful businesses. As soon as the economy changed, when people started to have to work for their money again, this is when everyone starts to blame everything on Curves, Gary.
Well there are plenty of us who still work hard and make a honest days pay. We don't expect something for nothing and we work and know that our successes and or our failures are exactly that, Ours!
Curves clubs have been approaching their 10 year contracts and most owners have made their money and then some and most are at retiring age. This is mainly why these statistics reflect closures. The good economy made businesses open everywhere. The turn in economy has caused business to close everywhere, not just Curves.
I look forward to the exciting possibilities ahead with our company & Gary. I love what i do and there is most certainly no other fitness concept like this. For all you who dont want to enpart of Curves please give those other no name, no systems, no support, put everyone down type clubs a chance if you like. Misery loves company, enjoy each other!
Deb,
Several points to consider. Curves didn't 'sell out of territories immediately' ... they ASSIGNED any zip code to anyone who was asking with barely any market studies being done. I know of one instance where a 'sales person' literally assigned territories to new owners at a club camp; they were just throwing zip codes at him. There was no rhyme or reason for territory distribution - it was like flinging mud at a wall. In our metro area there were handfuls of low income, depressed towns that had no business having a Curves but they had them. The game in Texas was to SELL SELL SELL territories - as many as they could. They were making millions selling the system and making money secondly through their family owned company store, Ideas in Action. They insinuated to owners that it was forbidden for clubs to offer products for profit. (Stupid us for listening - because it wasn't really forbidden - it was actually just a recommendation - part of 'do everything we say' and you will be successful.)
There was little support from Curves. It was practically non existent for years. Sink or swim. That was the early days of Curves. Curves was opening territories a mile from each other just so one man could lay claim to 'fastest growing fitness franchise' and plant his flag on that moutain top with no regard for how it was affecting the people who bought into the hype. There was a reason that the public referred to us as a 'cult'. Looking back, it was very cult like. I believe many Curves franchisees experience(d) Stockholm Syndrome.
You are right that there are many locations who are still doing well enough for the owner to make a small profit. It's a nice hobby business. Which is probably all it ever should have been. But a lot of professional, intelligent, hard working, seasoned business people bought Curves and they failed too. You have to ask yourself why or how so many smart people were too stupid to run a Curves. It's not rocket science.
As for those 10 year owners who you think are just quietly closing because they want to retire - don't you think they'd prefer to sell the club for some small profit? Of course. You must know there are a LOT of Curves listed for sale and no one wants to buy them. Curves owners are selling their clubs for $10,000 just to get out. Why is that? Because it's a lot of hard work and long hours for not a lot of profit. Did you ever read Craigslist for Curves for sale? In the last few years we've had 3 banks and 2 landlords call us to offer us equpment - entire circuits with SMART included. Reposessed or abandonded Curves equipment. That scenario is repeated across the county no doubt.
Watching Curves after Curves after Curves after Curves after Curves close, like dominoes across the fruited plains was depressing. And very bad word of mouth as more and more women repeated the phrases: "Curves doesn't work", "All Curves are closing", "Curves was a fad". All of those sentiments are still out there. None of those accusations were challenged with an effective advertising plan. When attacked - you make a plan to stand your ground. Curves never did. Instead they started assisting with the pruning. (Reference the WSJ article where they admit it.)
As for Gary forewarning franchises, hmmm. One mentor was bold enough to wonder why a friend of mine was being so nice to her members. She 'coached' her to keep the place clean, keep pure records, and flip it. The mentor presumably was trained for her job in Waco. She knew what was going on. So he didn't? She was smarter than him, I guess. My friend was left feeling confused. She thought she was supposed to be making women's lives better. (We should have bought a clue then!)
In my estimation, Gary Heavin was ill equipped to manage what he built. Throw in nepotism with a sycophantic culture in the corporate office and you have a recipe for disaster. And because of that, thousands of peole have suffered financially and emotionally. He should have sold 5 years ago.
So we have the trifecta of: Too many territories sold, ineffective support, and greed.
Within that framework you have owners who can and did thrive. But you had many more who were tortured by Curves - emotionally and financially.
Hopefully the corporate culture is now changing and the new men in charge can take control of and revive a once great idea.
Good luck to you.
Penny,
Great thoughts but during the "good years" again, everyone was greedy. Big salaries, big houses, big cars, big colleges, big business. All greedy people we are. Insert any business name where you say Curves and they all apply. Should we blame it on the housing market, real estate made everyone rich, greedy, banks, construction, property, taxes...... You name it, it happened over the past ecomic boom. Should we blame it on Gary, Bush, Obama, bin laden, blah, blah, blah.
Most businesses can't sell because people are afraid of taking chances. A true entrepreneur knows risks involved and is willing to take those risks. More millionaires were made during the depression then any other time. It has nothing to do with intelligence or lack there of. Has to do with entrepreneurship and having that spirit of I have to try for me, if I succeed, awesome, if I don't, I will keep trying.
Again, my success or my failure is all Mine. Take ownership for your actions.
Yes ... the Buck stops ... somewhere ... it never stopped in Waco that's for sure. It passed right through. Waco bears no responsibility. You're right.
And speak for yourself with regard to greed. I don't know any greedy owners. Not a one. Honestly. The majority of Curves owners are/were selfless souls who cared deeply for their members. They weren't and aren't looking for a jackpot. They merely wanted to earn a living. So sue them. Oh yeah! He did!
Hello,
We are in the process of filing a lawsuit against Curves International, for wrongful threats to Franchise and Ex Franchise owners.
If anyone would like to be a part of it, please contact us soon.
Together...we have more power.
Send me an email soon.
Genevive.
Again...my email address is [redacted]
Note: to exchange contact info, email unhappyfranchisee[at]gmail.com. Thanks, ADMIN
If it is true that the Franchise Agreement is no longer viable, can someone please confirm this. I have 3 years left, and want to close. Thank you.
Please, do share any information relative to the Franchise Agreements viability. I have several years let as well but would consider closing if the agreeent is no longer viable. Sick of throwing money away
send e mail address of genevive thank you.