America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —
D1 Training occupies a differentiated position in fitness franchising by pairing Division 1-style athletic programming with a multi-generational membership model. The brand derives over 60% of system revenue from youth athletes, placing it closer to the youth sports training category than traditional big-box fitness. With 170+ locations, documented Item 19 performance of $679,601 average unit revenue, and backing from 40+ professional athlete owners, D1 has moved past proof-of-concept into a mature, scalable system with genuine multi-unit expansion potential for qualified operators.
At a Glance
- Minimum Liquid Capital: $250,000 — funds (cash, marketable securities, retirement assets) immediately available without liquidation of long-term holdings
- Ownership Model: Owner-Operator or Semi-Absentee
- Location Type: Retail storefront, 4,000–5,000 sq ft
- Time Commitment: Full time or Executive
- Experience Required: None required
Top 5 Reasons to Consider D1 Training
- $679,601 average unit revenue disclosed in Item 19
- 61% of system revenue from youth athletes
- 170+ locations with 45 openings in 2025
- 40+ professional athlete franchise owners
- Semi-absentee executive ownership model available
About D1 Sports Training
D1 Training was founded in 2001 by Will Bartholomew, former University of Tennessee football captain and 1998 National Championship team member, to bring Division 1-caliber athletic training to the general public. The system has produced over 2,000 college scholarship athletes and 90+ NFL draft picks through its structured periodized programming.
D1 began franchising in 2016 and has scaled to over 170 facilities nationwide, headquartered in Nashville. The corporate team grew from 21 to 52 full-time employees between 2023 and 2025. D1 brought construction management and equipment in-house, reducing franchisee build-out costs and improving opening timelines across the system.
Why Franchise With D1 Training
- Item 19 discloses $679,601 average unit revenue and top locations exceeding $1.55M, providing candidates with concrete performance data rare in franchising.
- Youth athletic training drives 61% of system revenue — a defensible, recession-resistant category distinct from saturated adult fitness and traditional gym competition.
- Periodized 5-to-8-week training cycles and corporate-developed programming eliminate the burden of workout design, letting owners focus on operations and community-building.
- In-house construction management and equipment sourcing provide cost savings and streamlined build-out compared to traditional fitness franchise development models.
- Semi-absentee ownership at approximately 15 hours per week allows professionals to maintain other careers or build multi-unit portfolios with hired general managers.
ABF Advisory Perspective
ABF Market Analysis —
The U.S. youth sports economy exceeds $19 billion annually and continues to grow as parents invest in specialized training for scholarship and competitive athletic goals. Simultaneously, adult group training demand has shifted away from low-cost big-box gyms toward structured, coach-led environments with accountability. D1 sits at the intersection of both trends, serving ages 7 through adult with a single facility. Competitive pressure comes from local sports performance centers and other fitness franchises, but few national brands combine both athletic development and adult fitness under one membership model.
ABF Timing Insight —
D1 is in a disciplined expansion phase with 45+ openings in 2025 and 75-position advancement on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500. The brand is past early-stage risk, with over 170 locations and mature Item 19 disclosures, but still has territory availability in most metropolitan markets. Candidates entering now benefit from brought-in-house construction and equipment programs that reduce opening costs. Markets with higher household incomes and strong youth sports participation tend to ramp fastest in the D1 system.
Training & Support
- Three-day intensive training at the Nashville home office and flagship facility covers billing systems, workout design, staff scheduling, and operational best practices before franchisees open their location.
- Corporate-developed periodized programming is delivered in 5-to-8-week cycles by a national coaching panel, eliminating the need for franchisees to design workouts or hire elite programming talent independently.
- In-house construction management team handles build-out coordination, reducing costs and opening delays, while the in-house equipment program delivers negotiated pricing across the franchise system for new locations.
- Real estate support includes site selection, demographic analysis, lease negotiation, and guidance on securing 4,000-to-5,000 square foot spaces in commercially zoned retail areas with strong youth sports density.
- Ongoing support includes monthly brand-wide training calls, the annual franchise summit, a dedicated franchise owner network, and hiring and staff training guidance from corporate support teams.
Our Ideal Franchisee Candidate
- Former collegiate or professional athletes seeking ownership
- Parents deeply engaged in local youth sports communities
- Multi-unit operators targeting scalable fitness portfolios
- Semi-absentee executives with strong community networks
- Entrepreneurs with proven track records of business success
Who D1 Training Is NOT For
- Candidates without the $250,000 minimum liquid capital required to fund real estate, build-out, and early operations.
- Operators expecting a low-overhead, home-based model — this is a 4,000+ square foot retail fitness facility with meaningful capital requirements.
- Anyone uncomfortable hiring, training, and managing a coaching staff of 6 to 12+ employees across multiple training programs.
- Candidates with no interest in local youth sports communities, school athletic programs, or local coach and parent networks.
- Operators looking to modify D1’s programming, coaching standards, or brand protocols rather than executing the proven system as delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total investment to open a D1 Training franchise?
The total investment ranges from $235,250 to $670,290, including the $59,500 franchise fee. The average estimated initial investment for a prototype 4,300 square foot facility is approximately $701,143 per the current FDD.
What are the average unit economics?
Item 19 discloses $679,601 average unit revenue for locations open at least one year with complete financial data. Top locations exceed $1.55M in annual revenue. Full performance disclosures are detailed in the FDD.
Can I own a D1 Training franchise as a semi-absentee investor?
Yes. D1 offers both owner-operator and semi-absentee models. The semi-absentee model requires approximately 15 hours per week of high-level oversight, with a hired general manager handling daily operations.
Who are D1’s members?
D1 serves ages 7 through adult with programs for youth athletes, teens, adults, and professional athletes. Over 60% of system revenue comes from youth athletes, with adult group training and personal training programs supplementing the member base.
How large is a typical D1 Training facility?
Locations range from 4,000 to 5,000 square feet, with the prototype facility at approximately 4,300 square feet. Each location must accommodate a minimum of 7 training racks to support the programming model.
What are the ongoing fees?
Royalty is 7% of gross revenue. D1 is a VetFran member and offers additional incentives detailed in the FDD.
Next Steps
If you are drawn to an athletic performance brand with disclosed $679K average unit revenue, strong youth athlete demand, 170+ locations with documented growth momentum, in-house construction and equipment programs, and a semi-absentee ownership option, D1 Training is worth a direct conversation. Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for D1 Training.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.