KARVE Franchise
How to Buy a Pilates Franchise, Step by Step
Buying a Pilates franchise is a property, people and brand decision rolled into one. Here is the journey as it works at KARVE — from first enquiry to opening day — so you know exactly what to expect and what will be expected of you.
1 · Enquire and qualify
Start with the enquiry form and tell us about yourself, your capital position and the market you want. KARVE is highly selective: partners are operators, not passive investors, and the public qualification threshold is £500,000 in minimum liquid capital. Full financial terms are shared once you qualify — no serious franchisor publishes them on a website.
2 · Territory review
Every KARVE market is granted to a single partner and protected — no competing KARVE can open inside your territory. You’ll review the market together with the team: catchment, competition, the neighbourhoods that fit the KARVE profile. If your city is on the open list, its opportunity page includes a modelling tool where you set your own assumptions.
3 · Site and build
KARVE provides the architectural design system and a proven floor plan; the club is built to the brand standard with KARVE-supplied Transformer machines. The café is part of the format — a second revenue line inside the club.
4 · Training and certification
Onboarding is led by KARVE’s managing director. Your instructors are trained and certified in the Transformer method through KARVE’s own programme, and front-of-house is trained on the booking and membership stack used across every club.
5 · Pre-sale and launch
TONE — KARVE’s in-house marketing agency — runs the launch: digital, media buying, retail and launch events, with the pre-sale building a member base before the doors open. From signed agreement to opening typically spans several months depending on site and fit-out.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to open a Pilates franchise?
Timelines vary with site-finding and fit-out, but the journey — qualification, territory review, site and build, training, pre-sale, launch — generally spans several months from agreement to opening.
How much money do I need to buy a KARVE franchise?
A minimum of £500,000 in liquid capital is required to be considered. Complete financials — fees, structure, expectations — are disclosed to qualified applicants during the process.
Do I need to be a Pilates instructor?
No. Instructors are certified through KARVE’s training programme; the franchisee’s job is operating capability, capital and commitment to the market.
Can I own more than one territory?
Multi-market conversations happen case by case with qualified partners — raise it in your enquiry.
Open KARVE territories
Every open market has its own opportunity page — model the numbers for your city.