Crunch Fitness Responds to Backlash Over Leaked ICE Memo

A Texas franchise's internal document sparked criticism, but the national brand says it doesn't reflect their policy.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:39am

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Crunch Fitness is responding to backlash after an internal memo from one of its Texas franchises, Undefeated Tribe Operating Company LLC, leaked online. The memo instructed employees on how to cooperate with potential ICE raids, including allowing searches of offices, lockers, and computers. Crunch has distanced itself from the franchise's guidance, stating it does not represent the company's corporate policy and that the gym's lobby is the only area law enforcement can access without a warrant.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights the challenges national brands face in navigating sensitive immigration enforcement issues, especially when franchise operators take actions that conflict with the parent company's policies and values. This comes amid heightened public scrutiny of corporate relationships with federal immigration agencies following recent incidents.

The details

The leaked memo from the Texas franchise told employees that some ICE raids "can last hours" and could include searches of "offices, lockers, or computers" - actions that would require a judicial warrant. Staff were instructed to contact management, keep members calm, and tell them "not to interfere with the agents." Crunch has since stated that the memo "does not represent Crunch Fitness's corporate policy" and that the gym's lobby is the only area law enforcement can access without a warrant.

  • The internal memo was leaked in a now-deleted Reddit post last week.
  • On Monday, a Crunch spokesperson responded to the backlash.

The players

Crunch Fitness

A national gym chain with over 500 locations across the United States.

Undefeated Tribe Operating Company LLC

A Crunch franchisee that operates roughly 40 of the company's gyms in Texas.

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What they’re saying

“This approach is consistent with Crunch's standards and our long-standing commitment to maintaining welcoming, safe spaces for our members and employees.”

— Crunch Fitness Spokesperson (Business Insider)

“The memo does not represent Crunch Fitness's corporate policy.”

— Crunch Fitness Spokesperson (Business Insider)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges national brands face in maintaining consistent policies and values across their franchise networks, especially on sensitive issues like immigration enforcement. Crunch Fitness has sought to distance itself from the Texas franchise's guidance, underscoring the importance for parent companies to closely monitor and align franchise operations with their own corporate standards.