BRICK, NJ — WOW! Work Out World has signed a franchise and area development agreement with Velocity Sports Performance, a specialized sports training company based in Alpharetta, GA.
The deal gives WOW! two Velocity Sports Performance franchise locations and the opportunity to build four other locations in New Jersey.
WOW! intends to use the Velocity franchises to enhance its offerings to children and families. Velocity Sports Performance, developed by professional sports coaches, offers sports-specific training for the aspiring and casual child athlete, the everyday mom and pop athlete, as well as the amateur and elite professional athlete.
“The kids are our future WOW! members. A health club for kids isn't fun. We wanted to tap into kids and have it be fun and something they want to do,” said Stephen P. Roma, chief executive at WOW! Workout World. “It's all about the systems and the ongoing research and support that Velocity offers that made it attractive to us. We wanted to be in this business now. We didn't want to attempt to develop this concept on our own.”
According to the company, the Velocity franchises will be operated as an independent business from the healthclubs under the WOW! banner.
“However, we are trying to situate the two concepts side by side real estate wise — with each having its own separate entrance and façade,” Roma said. “It is our plan to hire a chief operating officer for Velocity. We will supply the money and act as the board of directors. The COO will be in charge on a day-to-day basis. We, though, will not lose sight of the girl we brought to the dance, being WOW!.”