Anytime Fitness Named Franchise of the Year

Fitness brand recognized for global expansion, particularly in Middle East markets

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Purpose Brands, the world's largest portfolio of fitness, health, and wellness franchise brands, announced that Anytime Fitness was named Franchise of the Year at the Beyond Activ World conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The award recognizes Anytime Fitness' global success in 2025, including a strategic market entry across the Middle East region.

Why it matters

The Franchise of the Year award validates Anytime Fitness' deliberate international expansion strategy, particularly its focus on high-growth markets like the Middle East. This growth helps the brand capitalize on the rising popularity of fitness as a social currency and community pillar globally.

The details

In 2025, Anytime Fitness franchisees opened more than 365 clubs worldwide, averaging more than one per day. In the Middle East specifically, the brand partnered with three premier organizations to establish a strong presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, signing agreements to grow in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait within a 12-month period. This growth leverages the regional footprint of Anytime Fitness' parent company, Purpose Brands, which also operates the Orangetheory Fitness brand in GCC states.

  • Anytime Fitness was named Franchise of the Year earlier this week at the Beyond Activ World conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • In 2025, Anytime Fitness franchisees opened more than 365 clubs worldwide, averaging more than one per day.
  • In the Middle East, Anytime Fitness signed agreements to grow the brand in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait within a 12-month period.

The players

Purpose Brands, LLC

The world's largest and most trusted portfolio of fitness, health, and wellness franchise brands, including Anytime Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, and others.

Anytime Fitness

A fitness franchise brand that is part of the Purpose Brands portfolio. Anytime Fitness was named Franchise of the Year in 2025.

Sander van den Born

International Executive Vice President of Purpose Brands.

Stacy Anderson

Global Brand President of Anytime Fitness.

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What they’re saying

“Being named Franchise of the Year by Beyond Activ World validates our strategic approach to international expansion. Our efforts to scale in high-growth markets, particularly the Middle East, are helping us capitalize on fitness in an evolving space, where it has become a social currency and community pillar.”

— Sander van den Born, International Executive Vice President, Purpose Brands

“This award reflects the dedication of our franchise owners, club staff, and members who make Anytime Fitness more than just a gym; it's a community committed to helping people lead healthier, happier lives.”

— Stacy Anderson, Global Brand President, Anytime Fitness

The takeaway

Anytime Fitness' recognition as Franchise of the Year underscores the brand's successful global expansion strategy, particularly its focus on high-growth markets like the Middle East. This growth helps the fitness brand capitalize on the rising popularity of fitness as a social and community-driven experience worldwide.