Anytime Fitness clubs run largely unstaffed on a 24-hour, key-fob access model, which means a resale carries a handover most other franchise deals don't: the access-control system and member credentials, not just the lease and the equipment. The brand's own Canadian page already invites inquiries about buying an existing club rather than only opening a new one, so an active resale is a normal path into the system — but it still runs through the franchisor's consent, its right of first refusal, and the same disclosure questions as any franchise purchase.
Anytime Fitness resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
Price and terms, with conditions built in for franchisor consent, an assignable lease, and a clear picture of active membership numbers and billing.
usually 1–2 weeks†Head office reviews the incoming buyer's application and can exercise its right of first refusal instead of letting the sale proceed as negotiated.
several weeks, typically†Courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, so a franchisor-facilitated Anytime Fitness resale may still require a full Arthur Wishart disclosure document before you're bound.
assessed early†Getting to closing
The club's commercial lease needs the landlord's written consent to assign, timed alongside the franchisor's own review.
2–6 weeks†The 24-hour key-fob access and security system is transferred into the buyer's name and monitoring account, alongside the incoming owner's brand-standard training.
before or shortly after closing†Funds, keys, fob credentials, and signed documents change hands, alongside confirmation that landlord and franchisor consent, and the access-system transfer, are all in hand.
1 day, once conditions are met†Official Canada franchise page (anytimefitness.com/en-ca/own-a-gym) offers territories for sale nationwide; longstanding CFA-recognized fitness franchisor.
Ontario territories among those actively listed for sale nationwide.
Official Canada page offers an inquiry option to buy an existing club that is for sale, alongside new territories.
This is the first real decision in a Anytime Fitness resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The club's fitness equipment, leasehold improvements, its access-control and security system, and the benefit of the existing franchise agreement, subject to consent. | The shares of the operating company — every club it holds under the Anytime Fitness banner, and everything it owes. |
| Seller's liabilities | Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation. | Generally come with the company, including obligations tied to any other clubs it operates. |
| Franchisor consent & ROFR | Required for this specific club, and typically the pacing condition on the whole deal. | Required for the change of control itself — the franchisor reviews who is actually taking over. |
| Membership base & billing | Active membership agreements and recurring-billing accounts transfer with appropriate privacy handling under PIPEDA. | Stays with the corporation, with the franchisor typically notified of the change in ownership. |
| Access-control & equipment financing | Confirm what fitness equipment is owned, leased, or financed, with PPSA searches identifying any liens, plus transfer of the 24-hour access system itself. | Assessed the same way at the corporate level, since the equipment and system stay with the company. |
| Typical use in an Anytime Fitness resale | The default for a single club changing hands. | More common where one operator holds several Anytime Fitness clubs under one company. |
The club's fitness equipment, leasehold improvements, its access-control and security system, and the benefit of the existing franchise agreement, subject to consent.
The shares of the operating company — every club it holds under the Anytime Fitness banner, and everything it owes.
Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation.
Generally come with the company, including obligations tied to any other clubs it operates.
Required for this specific club, and typically the pacing condition on the whole deal.
Required for the change of control itself — the franchisor reviews who is actually taking over.
Active membership agreements and recurring-billing accounts transfer with appropriate privacy handling under PIPEDA.
Stays with the corporation, with the franchisor typically notified of the change in ownership.
Confirm what fitness equipment is owned, leased, or financed, with PPSA searches identifying any liens, plus transfer of the 24-hour access system itself.
Assessed the same way at the corporate level, since the equipment and system stay with the company.
The default for a single club changing hands.
More common where one operator holds several Anytime Fitness clubs under one company.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single Anytime Fitness club changing hands between one buyer and one seller — an established membership base, a standard lease, and a straightforward franchisor consent process.
Start my file →An operator selling several Anytime Fitness clubs as one company, or a resale where the franchisor's right of first refusal, the access-system handover, or a disclosure question needs to be worked through before terms are final.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
Yes. The 24-hour access-control and monitoring system is a real handover item, distinct from the treadmills and weights — it needs to be re-registered into the buyer's name, and member fob credentials need a plan for the transition, not just the lease and equipment lists most resales focus on.
No — the brand's own Canadian franchise page specifically invites inquiries from people wanting to buy an existing club that's already for sale, alongside new-territory development. An active resale market is a normal part of how this system grows.
On an asset sale, active membership agreements and the recurring-billing relationship are typically transferred to the buyer with appropriate handling of member data under PIPEDA. We confirm what continuity of membership terms members are entitled to before you take over.
Not necessarily. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching buyer to seller can still trigger a full disclosure requirement. We confirm whether it applies to your specific deal early, rather than assuming it from the word 'resale.'
Any equipment lien or financing arrangement typically needs to be paid out, assumed, or otherwise cleared as a condition of closing. We identify what's financed versus owned outright early in diligence so it doesn't surface as a last-minute surprise.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by Anytime Fitness or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Anytime Fitness resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.