D1
Own a premium athletic training franchise with 20%+ margin potential, recurring memberships, and a recognized brand. Bring Division 1 level coaching to youth and adults in your market.
Bring Division 1-Level Training to Your Community
D1 delivers a caliber of coaching and athletic training typically reserved for Division 1 college athletes. Founded by a former Division 1 college football player and captain of the 1998 Tennessee National Championship Team, D1 was built around elite-level programming and a commitment to developing athletes of character.
Using D1’s proprietary 5-component workout system and structured 5-8 week training cycles, every athlete follows a focused path toward measurable improvement. As a franchisee, you operate within a turnkey system where workouts are created by D1’s National Head Speed and Strength Coach Panel, and home office support guides you through site selection, buildout, staffing, marketing, and presales.
Why Invest in D1?
- Semi-absentee ownership model with margin potential exceeding 20%
- Access to the $38 billion fitness industry and the $15 billion youth sports market
- Highly recognized brand with professional athlete partnerships
- Multiple recurring revenue streams including memberships, personal training, group sessions, teams, leagues, and merchandise
- Turnkey operational support from site selection through grand opening
Why D1 Stands Out
D1 is built around brand strength and athletic credibility. The D1 trademark is protected across fitness, training, therapy, and apparel categories, giving franchisees a strong and defensible identity in their markets. Athletes and families are drawn to the brand association and the culture of performance it represents.
Unlike trend-based fitness concepts, D1 follows a structured periodization philosophy used by elite competitive athletes. Training programs are designed in progressive blocks that maximize performance outcomes rather than focusing on daily workout trends. D1 also combines youth and adult training under one roof, expanding membership opportunities and maximizing facility utilization throughout the day.
When athletes walk into D1, they are treated as competitors working toward measurable goals. The culture centers around discipline, development, and community pride.
Financial Overview
- Franchise Fee: $59,500
- Total Investment: $235,250 - $670,290
- Liquid Capital Required: $250,000
- Net Worth Requirement: $500,000
- Financing: SBA 7a and franchise finance partners
- Franchising Since: 2016
- Units: Over 150 sold, over 90 open
- Target Markets: Tampa Metro, Miami-Dade, Orlando Metro, Houston Metro, Dallas Metro, North Carolina
A Day in the Life as a D1 Franchise Owner
D1 supports a semi-absentee model, allowing owners to focus on leadership, culture, and growth while a General Manager and coaching staff handle day-to-day training operations. Owners often drive community engagement, partnership development with schools and local organizations, and oversee marketing, membership growth, and performance metrics.
Many franchisees hire and develop a strong coaching team while staying involved in strategic planning, financial oversight, and local brand presence. Owners who enjoy fitness are encouraged to train at their facility at least once a week to stay connected with the athlete experience.
Comprehensive Training and Ongoing Support
D1’s onboarding begins with a Recruiting Day at the flagship location in Franklin, Tennessee. Candidates tour the facility, meet the leadership team, and experience the D1 workout firsthand.
Initial training includes turnkey support for site selection, marketing, workout programming, staff training, operations, presales, and the hiring process for General Managers and coaches. Online training modules help keep your team aligned from the start.
Ongoing support includes presales guidance focused on marketing and customer acquisition, hiring support from the home office, weekly communication with field support, PR assistance, and access to the D1 intranet portal. Technology tools include a D1-branded MindBody Business POS system with analytics and reporting, plus a D1-branded MindBody app for athletes. Franchisees also gain access to dedicated communication channels for General Managers.
The Ideal D1 Franchisee
D1 looks for business-minded owners with a proven track record of success. A background in physical fitness is not required, though it can be a benefit. The strongest candidates are aligned with the D1 mission, passionate about training and helping people achieve goals, and respected in their communities.
Many successful franchisees have participated in athletics at some point in their lives and enjoy mentoring teams. Owners are expected to follow the D1 system to deliver consistent outcomes and protect the brand promise.
D1 offers a rare opportunity to operate a premium athletic training brand with national recognition, strong margin potential, recurring revenue, and a mission rooted in performance and character development.
Request more information today to explore D1 franchise opportunities in your target market.
