Headquartered in New York City, Crunch Fitness announced aa Master Franchise Agreement for India = that will establish at least 75 throughout the country. This move extends the brand’s international footprint into South Asia, complementing the existing digital presence of Crunch+ that has been available to Indian consumers online for several years.
The expansion will be spearheaded by Nikhil Kakkar, formerly the COO of Gold’s Gym India, in partnership with Dr. Umesh Kansal, an established entrepreneur with leadership roles across the fitness industry, financial services, and global apparel businesses.
John Kersh, managing director of International Development for Crunch Fitness, highlighted the strategic timing of this move, noting India’s rapidly growing fitness market as a natural progression in the company’s international development. .
This expansion follows a landmark year for Crunch Fitness, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2024. With the addition of India, Crunch continues to strengthen its international presence, which already includes Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Portugal, and Spain.
Jim Rowley, CEO of Crunch Fitness, described India as “a vibrant and dynamic market with a growing passion for fitness.” The company’s philosophy centers on making serious exercise enjoyable by blending fitness with entertainment and embracing a “No Judgments” approach that welcomes diverse fitness enthusiasts with various goals and workout preferences.
Chequan Lewis, president of Crunch Fitness, noted that India represents one of the fastest-growing fitness markets globally, with increasing demand for quality fitness solutions. The expansion aligns with Crunch’s 2025 international growth strategy, which targets countries with favorable economic and franchising conditions that offer substantial growth opportunities.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
