Post by Successful Franchisee on May 23, 2018 13:05:04 GMT
What I find amusing in reading through the threads is that Snap assumes that anyone who points out shortcomings, which are in desperate need of change or elimination, must be a failing club. As a successful club owner, making over $40K/month (profits of $23K/month) I would ask, what value does Snap bring to the table. Over the years, I see one and only one.
That is ---*** Your members can use any Snap around the world ***---
That's it. I see nothing else which Snap brings to the table. As a franchisee you are forced to use and pay for substandard software and run flawed, ill-prepared plans. What I've see over the years is the advice you get from Snap can be just the opposite of what you should actually be doing. Where we've found success is doing what Snap tells us not to do.
Classes aren't part of the Snap model - We offered classes (years later Snap reverses and tells everyone to section off a part of their club and offer classes). This is a perfect example of Snap not understanding the future direction of fitness
No pools or saunas - Okay, this one we still agree with, though we are looking into saunas.
No showers - We put in a shower and set it up so that it doesn't take up one of our changing rooms
No desk - Instead buy a $50 folding table (Costco price) from Snap for $400. Nope. Went with a desk because it's a higher end look than a stupid desk and Craftsman-looking chest. Years later Snap wants you to buy an overpriced desk from them.
No water fountain or utility closet as part of the build out. When we asked about this our Snap rep told us that some clubs put those in. 
Then there are all of the non-revenue producing things which you are forced to pay for, regardless of whether you use them or not. (prospect engager, online training center, decline recovery, etc) This doesn't include all of the other ill conceived ideas which were strictly put in place to increase franchisee fees. Take a look at the online training center. Exactly what sort of training is there with that center? Everything a member would find useful has been stripped out. We've been told that these features would be added back in, but that was over 2 years ago, yet they continue to charge for it.
Franchisees are overcharged for a pathetic website. Meanwhile Snap in other countries get a passable website. Speaking of other countries, why aren't they being forced to run the $8.95 monthly pass. We're told they can't make it an opt-in program because that would take away "brand consistency". Funny, if other countries aren't forced to accept it doesn't that make it inconsistent? This, like Silver Sneakers, is nothing more than a way to let Snap make money off of the equipment you paid for. Oh wait, you didn't know that $2 of what Tivity (previously Prime) collects from members goes directly to Snap. That along with the monthly maintenance fee you have to pay Snap.
Then there's the approved Snap equipment. Funny we typically have that equipment 2 to 3 years prior to Snap approving it and then find the Snap "discounted" price is higher than what we paid as a single club. So basically "approved" means that Snap has now taken a cut of the purchase price. We still find a better deal on equipment through resellers.
So the question remains --- What value does Snap bring to the table? Anyone considering opening a fitness center would find themselves in a much better position by being an independent club.
Oh, if you join IHRSA and become an IHRSA club then your members can use other IHRSA clubs. That minimizes even that value of Snap. I guess if you're a masochist and enjoy being threatened, yelled at and forced to implement bad policies then Snap would be a good fit.
All of you "Guests" are more than welcome to contribute to the value you believe Snap brings to the table.
Floor's open...
