FRANCHISE FAQ

Join the more than 800,000 athletes who have taken advantage of Athletic Republic's training system to gain more than just a step on their competition.

Q. What is an Athletic Republic franchise?

A.  Athletic Republic has packaged its pioneering approach to athletic development and made it available for sale to qualified operators. The franchise system includes the right to utilize the Athletic Republic brand and sell its proprietary training services. The franchise also comes with the opportunity to purchase exclusive training equipment; online access to the 4,000 pages of evidence-based training protocols; participation in the Business Acceleration Program (BAP) for opening a new training center; use of the education program and training curriculum; direction on marketing and selling a performance sports training business services and guidance on planning operating and managing the business.
While the company began in 1990, we did not start franchising until 2005. Previously, we licensed the use of our equipment and training protocols. In 2007, we changed the name of the business from Frappier Acceleration Sports Training to Athletic Republic.

Q. What differentiates the Athletic Republic business model from other sports training systems?

A. The Athletic Republic business model is 20 years in the making and is based on delivering performance results through an individualized approach to training in small groups inside an efficient training center footprint.
The equipment and protocols allow us to keep a 1:5 trainer-to-athlete ratio and maintain individual athlete attention while making it cost-effective. Our competitors’ training programs involve one trainer working with 10 or more athletes at a time. These programs lack the individual approach and do not garner the same performance results or retention rates.
Our equipment and training protocols allow for an efficient use of training space. If an athlete does any sort of training for a given period of time, an athlete is going to improve. But in today’s world, parents want to maximize their investment---what’s the best use of their time and money? Athletic Republic can show and validate why our system is better than any other training program. Typically, athletes who train for eight weeks in the Athletic Republic system will see a dramatic decrease in their 40-yard dash times – two to four tenths of a second; and two to four-inch improvements in vertical-jump heights.

Q. What kind of background do I need to be an Athletic Republic franchisee?

A. All you need is a passion for sports, plus access to start-up capital and a good site in an established community. Our existing franchise network is made up of people from diverse backgrounds, including former coaches, players, personal trainers, teachers and executives.  Many have degrees in sports physiology and exercise science.

Q. What kind of franchise is available?

A. Our most common franchise model is an independent training center. We also have franchise formats that operate within existing sports medicine facilities, sports complexes and ice hockey rinks. An Area Development Agreement (ADA) is another alternative offered to the franchisee.  The ADA provides for the placement of multiple training centers in a single metro market to improve operating efficiency and marketing efforts.

Q. What is the difference between the Running and Skating programs?

A. The Acceleration Training program is designed to improve all athletes’ speed, agility and power. The difference is the equipment required to deliver the programming. The Super Running Treadmill is integral to all types of training when running mechanics, explosive movements and intense bursts of speed are required on field or court. The Hockey Acceleration program is for hockey players, short-track speed skaters and ice skaters looking to improve their on-ice speed, agility, efficiency and skating form. Our hockey-specific program utilizes the revolutionary Hockey Treadmill to teach these techniques in a controlled environment.
We offer three types of franchise formats based on the sports customers play:

• A Running program that meets the needs of all sports except hockey or ice skating;
• A Hockey program that is designed to serve primarily hockey and ice skating athletes; and
• A Combination program that brings both training systems together under one roof.

Q. What does Sport-Specific Training mean?

A. Athletic Republic’s science-based training protocols are based on an athlete's physical development, strengths, challenges, sport of choice, primary position played and individual goals. This approach is born out of the philosophy that, “One Size Does Not Fit All…It Fits ONE.” It’s the reason 75,000 athletes are expected to train with Athletic Republic during 2011.
Athletic Republic training benefits athletes of all ages that participate in any sport, including soccer, football, basketball, track, baseball, hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, golf, swimming, running and skiing.

Q. What type of marketing support is available?

A. Athletic Republic provides each training center with the right to use the best brand in performance sports training along with a collection of marketing materials and resources to help the franchise build a business and sell its training services to athletes, parents, coaches, teams, clubs and leagues.
In addition to the Business Acceleration Program, we provide a suite of on-going support services and marketing materials that is consistent with our brand identity and message:

• An online marketing and sales solutions resource for business collateral, marketing materials/best practices (TV, print, flyers and direct mail), promotional products, signage/banners, performance products and training center equipment.
• A comprehensive customizable local website pre-loaded with content that is updated regularly to help drive new athlete prospects through your door.
• The Brand Playbook and in-center branding materials guidance to build the ultimate performance sports training experience for your athletes and their parents and/or coaches.
• You'll receive our quarterly "Playbook" which announces new protocols, programs and partnerships while sharing best practices from across the training center network.
• Marketing/Sales Planner: a guide to developing the right marketing mix, communication strategy, and call to action to drive athlete traffic to your training center throughout the year.  
• The Sales Protocol is a systematic approach to business development developed by Athletic Republic for the training centers. The selling system builds upon the training center's marketing efforts and teaches methods for new customer prospecting, effective closing techniques, and managing new business development.
• Strategic alliances with leading firms add value to your operation and our brand.
• Our National Training Center Conference, where Athletic Republic introduces new programs and alliances, shares best practices and hands-on experience, provides continuing education and certifications and creates an atmosphere for training center owners, operators and trainers to develop relationships with others across the Athletic Republic network.

Q. Who is Athletic Republic's core customer?

A. The aspiring athlete looking for a competitive advantage. 77% of the athletes trained in 2010 were between the ages of 11 and 18. Half of all athletes attend high school with the median age/grade of the athlete trained as a High School Junior. Because of the number of football players trained, the gender mix is 70% male and 30% female.

Q. How much space will I need?

A. There are a few factors to consider regarding the square footage required, which revolve around the programs you plan to implement, the product lines you choose and what type of location or training environment you select. For a Running-Only or Skating-Only operation, it is suggested that your functional space be in the neighborhood of 3,000-7,000 square feet, which does not include space for locker rooms/changing areas, waiting areas, offices, reception desk, storage, etc.  If you are considering the combination program, it is recommended that an additional 1,000-2,000 square feet be included to accommodate additional sport-specific training.

Q. How long will it take to learn the Athletic Republic training system?

A. The company provides a comprehensive training and certification program for staff members who will be managing and delivering the programs in your center.  The first two levels of education are completed online along with the preparation for the Level III course.  The third level is a multi-day hands-on learning experience.  The online training and certification can be completed by as many of your staff and/or interns as you see fit, but Level III is for key staff members such as owners, General Managers and their Directors of Training.  Although there is no fee (for the first two people to attend) for the Level III course, your living and transportation expenses are not included.

Q. Where can I locate my Athletic Republic training center?

A. Many markets are still available. You can designate the city and trade area in which you wish to place your training center, so long as the market meets Athletic Republic’s criteria and does not infringe on another, already established Athletic Republic location. We also offer Area Development Agreements for operators who wish to own multiple franchises.

Q. Will my market be protected?

A. Yes. Each franchise owner is allotted an exclusive area in which no other Athletic Republic franchise can be located.

Q. How much will it cost to develop an Athletic Republic franchise?

A. Cost varies with the type of franchise, training center size and the training equipment that is offered. The average total cost to open an Athletic Republic Training Center is $300,000 (excluding real estate costs). The start-up costs include the franchise fee, site location review, site build-out and renovation, equipment purchase, furnishings, computer hardware and software, and hiring and training your staff. There is a $1,000 application fee and an initial franchise fee ranging from $12,000 – $40,000 depending upon which program (Running, Hockey or Combination) and size of trade market selected.
Athletic Republic has created a smaller footprint business model which requires less equipment when placed within a physical therapy clinic, health club, sports academy or in a smaller or rural trade market and is offered at a lower initial invest. To learn more about the Athlete Trade Market, call Brad Gorder, Vice President of Sales, at 888-226-FAST (435-729-7233 direct) or complete our online Request for Information form.

Q. How much is the royalty payment?

A. The royalty is used to support the business operations, develop new programs for the training centers and provide access to all Athletic Republic systems, protocols, proprietary techniques and other information.  A 6% royalty is paid monthly on all gross sales. The owners of the smaller Athlete Trade market franchise pay a monthly fixed royalty fee.

Q. Is financing available?

A. Athletic Republic has an independent affiliation with FF Fisher Leasing of Fargo, North Dakota, to provide broker services for equipment leasing and SBA loans to operators that meet lenders’ credit and qualification standards.

Q. Are athletes satisfied with their Athletic Republic training experience?

A. In a recent consumer survey, 95% of the athletes reported that they recognized performance improvement of greater than 20% after training with Athletic Republic. And 85% stated they referred a friend or teammate to Athletic Republic.

Q. What should be my greatest concern when considering the operation and management of an Athletic Republic franchise?

A. We can teach you how to deliver an extraordinary athlete training experience with our system; we can lend you our expertise in sales and marketing, business operations and staff management; but you must commit to a daily dedicated effort to connect with coaches, leagues, teams and organizations in your community to drive athletes and their parents into your training center. You must also make athlete retention and referral a priority for the business to grow and prosper.

Like any small business, you must also commit to managing and developing an engaging team who connect with your customers. For this is a service-based business being delivered by your staff to one athlete at a time.

Q. Where do I start learning more about the Athletic Republic Advantage?

Call Brad Gorder, Vice President of Sales, at 888-226-FAST (435-729-7233 direct) or complete our online Request for Information form.