IRVINE, CA -- Well-known and up-and-coming fitness franchises topped the list of Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500(R) 2006 Rankings and Top New Franchises 2006 Rankings. Three franchises were listed in the top 100 for the Franchise 500 including Curves at the number three spot, Jazzercise Inc. at the 25th spot and Gold's Gym at 76.
The Top New Franchises 2006 list consisted of four fitness franchises: Anytime Fitness (#14), Cuts Fitness For Men (#17), StrollerFit Inc. (#27) and Liberty Fitness for Women (#42). Each year the magazine lists the top franchises according to a company's financial strength and stability, growth rate, size of the system, the number of years in business and length of time franchising, startup costs, litigation, percentage of terminations and whether the company provides financing. Entrepreneur Magazine does not measure subjective elements such as franchisee satisfaction or management style, according to the magazine's Web site.