)
Brisbane-based gym franchise group Fitstop is planning to dramatically scale its US operations after teaming up with Australian Sydney-founded fitness studio software platform Hapana to support its membership base globally.
Fitstop, which has 153 locations in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Singapore, sees Hapana’s technology as critical to enhancing its global rollout by empowering its existing mobile app, location operations and lead generation.
The group currently has five locations in the US located in California, Philadelphia and New Jersey, with plans to grow its footprint further in 2025.
The Hapana software, which is already being used by fitness brands such as BFT (Body Fit Training), STRONG Pilates, UFC Gym and F45, is seen by Fitstop as a key enabler for to introduce the group’s unique functional training formula to American fitness fans.
“Joining forces with Hapana enables us to give our members an even better digital experience no matter where they are in the world, and will help us accelerate our growth across the U.S.,” says Fitstop’s CEO and founder Pete Hull.
“We needed a platform that could match our pace and vision, and Hapana’s technology provides the infrastructure and flexibility we need to deliver an exceptional member experience at every location - both in and out of the gym.
“Hapana’s support will help us bring the home of functional fitness to more people; especially as strength and resistance training booms across the industry.”
Hapana, which is founded and led by Jarron Aizeni, provides a white-label platform to manage memberships, payments, retention and loyalty for the fitness sector and manages member accounts at more than 1,000 clubs globally.
The platform has scaled significantly since securing a major shareholding in 2021 from private equity-backed US fitness group Lift Brands, owner of the Snap Fitness and Fitness On Demand chains.
Earlier this year, Hapana raised $17 million in a funding round led by OIF Ventures and Bailador to expand its international footprint and launch its next-generation offering.
“Fitstop’s remarkable growth is among the fastest we’ve ever seen in the industry,” says Aizen, the CEO of Hapana.
“As they look to break into the US market, we’re excited to provide the platform and technology needed for the next phase of scaling.
“At Hapana, we always say that we’re ‘for the ambitious only,’ and Fitstop is the embodiment of ambition – proving that with a bold vision comes radical success.”
Fitstop was founded by Pete and Bec Hull in 2013, branching out into franchising in 2017 with entrepreneur Richard Bell coming on board as an investor before exiting the company four years later. The business has scaled up by largely using an owner-operator model.
)
