California Gym
California Gym is the first and largest premium fitness chain in Tunisia, founded in 1999 by the Chaabouni brothers. 12 clubs, 13,000+ members, 1 club in Algeria. The first certified LesMills network in North Africa. The number 1 sports franchise in the country.
Total investment
148 757 EUR
Minimum personal contribution
11 901 EUR
Target countries
Locations
13
The concept
California Gym is the first premium fitness chain in Tunisia, with a network of 12 clubs across the country - 11 in Greater Tunis and 1 in Sousse. A pioneer in the sector since its inception, it operates under two brands and offers state-of-the-art equipment, with quality service tailored to all levels.
Network specifics
- Tunisian fitness leader since 1999, 100% Tunisian brand
- 12 owned clubs (Greater Tunis, Sousse) + 1 club in Algeria
- 2 brands: California Gym (premium) and California Gym Platinum (luxury, since 2016)
- LesMills certification: 400+ pre-choreographed group classes per week
- Multi-club Sport Pass - maximum member loyalty
- 20-day training for the franchisee and their entire team
- Ongoing operational, marketing, and HR support
The concept in pictures
Videos
California Gym – Videos 1
California Gym – Videos 2
The story of California Gym
Founder's Vision
Rafik Chaabouni founded California Gym in 1999 after noticing, during a trip abroad, the complete absence of a fitness club in Tunisia that met international standards. Upon returning to Tunis, he opened the first mixed club in Lac 1 - equipped with high-end machines, offering professional group classes for the first time in Tunisia.
His brother Radhouane joined him to transform this first club into a national chain.Their shared vision:to make sports a pillar of well-being and social life in Tunisia, accessible to all profiles. In 2002, California Gym became the first certified LesMills network in North Africa. 25 years later, 12 clubs, 13,000 members, and expansion into Algeria testify to the strength of this vision.
Concept Values
• **Innovation**:first certified LesMills network in North Africa, constant renewal of equipment
• **Excellence**:international standards in every club, regular quality audits, 400+ classes/week
• **Inclusivity**:clubs for all ages, all levels, all body types
• **Flexibility**:Multi-club Sport Pass - access to all clubs in the network with a single card
• **Social Commitment**:partnership with the Ministry of Youth to equip youth centers
Reason for franchise development
After 25 years of fully owned development, California Gym is opening its franchise to accelerate its territorial expansion. The model is proven, the expertise is documented, and the brand is the most recognized in the sector.
The California Gym franchise offers:
• 25 years of expertise in managing premium fitness clubs, fully transferred
• 20 days of training covering all club roles (management, coaching, administration)
• Marketing support from a leading brand - 13,000 active members and strong national recognition
• LesMills certification included, ensuring immediate differentiation
Where California Gym is looking to open
Select a country to see the regions open for development.
24 regions recorded for Tunisia.
Financial and contractual terms
Entry Fee
35 702 EUR
Minimum personal contribution
11 901 EUR
Royalties
5% of revenue
Advertising Fee
1% of revenue
Total Investment
148 757 EUR
*Excluding commercial space
Contract Duration
5 years
Average Surface
300 m2
Training
20 days
Figures are indicative and may vary depending on location and size of premises.
The profile California Gym is looking for
How demanding the brand is on each family of criteria, and what it expects in detail.
Financial capacity
100 %High4 of 4 criteria selected · 19% of the total weight
- Minimum personal contribution requiredHigh
- Needs external financing accessHigh
- Needs financial resilienceHigh
- Needs safety cash bufferHigh
Commercial skills
100 %High4 of 4 criteria selected · 19% of the total weight
- Brand promotion skills requiredHigh
- Conversion and loyalty skills requiredHigh
- Frequent customer interaction requiredHigh
- Local sales actions requiredHigh
Industry experience
92 %High4 of 4 criteria selected · 18% of the total weight
- Prior industry experience requiredHigh
- Similar experience improves performanceHigh
- Specific know-how requiredHigh
- Technical or regulated operations requiredMedium
Management and autonomy
83 %High4 of 4 criteria selected · 16% of the total weight
- Daily team management requiredHigh
- High autonomy requiredHigh
- Daily operational decisions requiredMedium
- KPI monitoring requiredMedium
Availability and involvement
75 %Medium4 of 4 criteria selected · 14% of the total weight
- Network actions participation requiredHigh
- Daily involvement requiredMedium
- Frequent field presence requiredMedium
- Full-time availability requiredMedium
Local roots
75 %Medium4 of 4 criteria selected · 14% of the total weight
- Geographic proximity is keyHigh
- Local market knowledge requiredMedium
- Local opportunity understanding requiredMedium
- Local partner network building requiredMedium
How to become a California Gym franchisee
The same path for every brand in the network.
Contact request on the platform wefranchiz.com
Presentation of the file
profile, financial capacity, targeted area
Visit to a California Gym club (full immersion in the environment)
Feasibility study
validation of the site and local market
Signing of the franchise agreement (5 years, renewable)
Initial training
20 days - management, coaching, administrative and commercial management
Support for opening
recruitment of coaches, marketing launch
Ongoing follow-up
quality audits, updates of LesMills programs, HR support
Frequently asked questions about franchising
The points that most often stop a candidate, answered plainly.
What is a franchise and how does it work?
…
Why is it safer to start a business through franchising?
…
How do I know if I'm cut out for franchising?
…
Are there financing options available for franchisees?
…
How can WeFranchiz help me concretely?
…
What is the minimum budget to become a franchisee?
…
How long does it take to open a franchise?
…
What is the DIP (Pre-Contractual Information Document)?
…
Can I become a franchisee without experience in the sector?
…
What are the most promising franchise sectors in Africa?
…