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Douglasville, GA - December 3, 2019 - Gold’s Gym franchisees and operators Gordon Johnson along with Scott and Skip Johnson today announced that they have sold their three Georgia based gyms to two different strategic buyers.
The Douglasville and Austell Gold’s Gyms are three of the most award-winning clubs in the Gold’s Gym worldwide chain. Started as Douglasville Health and Athletic Club by fitness entrepreneur Gordon Johnson in 1984, the clubs joined the Gold’s Gym brand in 1996. Since then, the businesses have earned over 20 state, national, and international health club awards.
The clubs were purchased by two separate, well known national health club operators. Gordon Johnson, a Gold’s Gym Hall of Fame member commented, “After 35 years In the fitness business I am proud that our members, our staff and our community will be well served by passing the baton to two very fine companies. I treasure the 23 years as a Gold’s Gym franchisee. The rich tradition, the brotherhood of the franchisee association and the opportunity to know so many special people in the industry have been a gift.”
About the transaction, Johnson added, “We were extremely blessed to partner with Bryan O’Rourke who guided our strategic path. His knowledge and foresight were instrumental in the evolution and completion of this transaction. I now look forward to more personal and family time as well as being able to share a rich history with many associates and friends in the fitness industry.”
Vice-Chairman of ABC Financial and health club industry leader Paul Schaller had this to say: “I have known Gordon for many years and have the highest respect for him and his team. These transactions should be a positive for everyone involved and it does not surprise me that Gordon’s team engaged Bryan O’Rourke, who has become such a trusted advisor to the top brands and leaders around the world in the health club industry space.”
In 2018 Gordon, Scott, and Skip Johnson embarked upon a strategic plan to evaluate the best outcomes and alternatives for their members, employees, and partners. They engaged industry veteran and advisor Bryan O’Rourke and his firm Vedere Ventures to support their efforts and to advise them through the transactions. Bryan commented; “Gordon and his team are some of the most highly respected members of the Gold’s Gym community of franchisees and the health club industry in general. Having known them for many years it was a great honor to advise, support, and guide them through their transactions. It will be very interesting to see what they might do next.”
About Gordon Johnson
During his time as owner and operator of his three Gold’s Gym clubs, along with his family, they were awarded Gold’s Gym’s Best Gym Conversion in 1997 and Best Customer Service in 2000. Mr. Johnson and his team, always dedicated to great customer service were consistently ranked in the top 10 Medallia rankings for Gold’s Gyms. Gordon has a history of service to the brand and served as Chairman of the Gold’s Gym Advertising Advisory Committee through April 2015. He has served as a Director on the GGFA Executive Board and member of the National Franchise Counsel. He is currently a Director Emeritus of the GGFA. Gold’s Gym awards for service: Mr. “G” Award (1999), Team Player of the Year (2000), Visionary of the Year (2010), The President’s Award (2011), and Gold’s Gym Hall of Fame (2014). In 2014 he received the GGFA Bravo Award. Gordon is a graduate of Georgia Tech, Colonel, US Marine Corps Reserve, retired and former manufacturing executive.
To learn more or connect with Mr. Johnson visit Linkedin.
About Scott Johnson
Scott is a licensed Georgia Real Estate Agent and served as VP Finance & Facilities at Gold's Gyms West Georgia. Scott handled budgeting and financial analysis, strategic planning, legal matters, and HR. Additionally, Scott was involved with facility maintenance and planning, including facility expansions, updates, equipment purchases, building lease negotiations. Scott has a deep understanding of growth opportunities, best practices, and methods to increase revenue and decrease costs.
To learn more or connect with Mr. Johnson visit Linkedin.
About Skip Johnson
Skip Johnson is an inspirational speaker and author of two Amazon books: Grateful for Everything and Starting Each Day in a Powerful Way.
Skip served as Vice-President of Operations for Gold’s Gym West Georgia and was instrumental in their Austell location being named Best Customer Service Club out of 700 worldwide Gold’s Gym locations.
He is a Master Tennis Professional, a designation held by less than one percent of 16,000 certified tennis professionals by the United States Professional Tennis Association. He is also the Director of the Southern Tennis Coaches Conference, one of the longest-running independent tennis coaches conference in the U.S.
A member of the National Storytelling Network, Skip’s inspirational speaking engages audiences through entertaining, memorable stories, life lessons, and experiences from over 35 years of health club industry experience. His specialty is teaching leaders and aspiring leaders how to create a fun, engaging, excellence-oriented culture that customers and staff members love and are proud to be part of.
You can learn more about Skip through his website at www.skipjohnsonauthor.com.
About Vedere Ventures
In addition to advising clients in strategic transactions and strategies, Vedere Ventures has made investments in health club, fitness, and technology companies in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Mr. O’Rourke and his partners including Robert Dyer, and other notable leading health club and fitness industry experts have advised leading global brands in fitness, health clubs, and related technologies for several decades.
Learn more at www.vedereventures.com.