Jazzercise Franchise Review and Business Opportunity
Jazzercise got it’s start back in 1969 when founder, Judi Sheppard Missett, transformed her traditional jazz dance classes in Evanston, Illinois and incorporated a dance class centered more around fun and aerobic exercise. Fueled by her program’s growing popularity, Missett started training other instructors in her “Jazzercise” routine in 1977 following her move to Southern California. Continued growth spurred the company to further expansion in 1982 when the Jazzercise franchise went into full swing. Now, as the Jazzercise franchise CEO, she teaches weekly classes and choreographs dance routines.
Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, the Jazzercise franchise currently has over 6,500 units in the United States and over 1,000 more internationally. Franchisees are present in more than 30 countries and offer total body conditioning provided by certified instructors to over a half million clients annually. They are currently seeking franchisees worldwide.
The Jazzercise franchise opportunity has a relatively low startup cost, which primarily depends on location. Costs can range from $3,000 to $75,500 with the biggest variable being the expense of real estate. The franchise fee is possibly one of the lowest in the franchise industry at only $1,000. However, the ongoing royalty fee is high at 20%. Most royalty fees for franchises are 10% or less. This allows for an easier startup but it also means that as you become successful, you will lose more monthly income to the parent company. A potential franchisee will need to weigh the pros and cons for their individual situation.
Before you can become a Jazzercise franchise owner, you must become a certified course instructor. Therefore if you do not have experience in this line of exercise, then this opportunity may not be for you. Once you become certified, however, it is not required that you teach all of the classes as you are allowed to hire other certified instructors. Jazzercise provides training at the franchisee’s location and the franchisee must pass a written exam, learn several dance routines, and be certified in CPR.