boutique fitness studio

Combined Company will be Leading Boutique Boxing Franchise with 166 Clubs and More than 65K Members and Digital Subscribers.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — BoxUnion, a California-based fitness boxing brand, announced today that it has acquired TITLE Boxing Club (TITLE), a fitness studio with 166 clubs across the United States, Mexico and the Dominican Republic specializing in boxing and kickboxing fitness classes. The transaction was backed by Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano SUPERCHARGED Initiative (KJSI), BoxUnion’s lead investor, plus other existing shareholders. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition brings together the best of both worlds, combining BoxUnion’s innovative programing with TITLE’s brand awareness. Founded in 2016 by Todd Wadler and Felicia Alexander, BoxUnion has experienced significant membership and subscriber growth due to its accessible, inventive and effective approach to boxing. This approach integrates music, mindfulness and community into a meticulously programmed class structure. In April of 2020, the brand launched BoxUnion Digital, which brings the BoxUnion in-studio class experience to subscribers anywhere in the world.

As a result of the acquisition, Wadler takes over as CEO and Alexander will continue in her role as the Chief Revenue Officer of the combined company. TITLE Boxing Club’s ownership team will remain equity holders in the new company and consists of two International Franchise Association (IFA) Entrepreneur of the Year recipients, three IFA chairpersons, and one IFA Hall of Famer. This includes a powerhouse of best-in-class franchise industry leaders including former CEO John Rotche, David Barr, Shelly Sun, Doc Cohen, and NFL superstar and future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. In addition, Rotche will continue to serve on the board of the combined company. Brooke Budke, who is currently TITLE Boxing Club’s Vice President of Marketing, will take over as President, Franchise System.

“TITLE Boxing Club is the biggest player in the fitness boxing and kickboxing category. Our goal is to triple the studio base while also providing a state-of-the-art, engaging digital experience to the at-home market,” said Wadler. “We are excited to bring together TITLE Boxing Club’s scale and brand awareness with BoxUnion’s culture of innovation to drive the first, true omni-channel fitness boxing offering to millions of consumers anytime, anywhere. I’m thrilled to partner with the TITLE Boxing Club team, the franchisees and all the partners within the TITLE Boxing Club brand as we embark on the next stage of growth.”

“As studio operators ourselves, Todd and I understand firsthand the impact this sport can have on building a local community and empowering people to throw a punch at the daily challenges life throws our way,” said Alexander. “Now more than ever, it is critical to provide an outlet for the stress millions of people are going through. We have members that have been outspoken about how BoxUnion has helped alleviate depression and build confidence. With more than 65,000 members and digital subscribers, the combined company will now be able to provide this experience to more people than ever.”

Wadler spent over 20 years in finance and co-founded Moelis & Company, a publicly traded, leading global independent investment bank and asset management firm. Passionate about fitness, he saw an opportunity to grow the market in fitness boxing. Alexander boasted a successful career as a sales and marketing executive for companies including Sun Microsystems, Sony, Mattel, and Demand Media. She is deeply passionate about boxing as a vehicle to change people’s lives, having put on gloves for the first time at 16 shortly after her father’s sudden death.

“The popularity of fitness boxing and kickboxing is growing rapidly. I set out on a deliberate path to find a promising boxing brand to accelerate our growth,” said Rotche. “Todd and Felicia’s collective dedication to revolutionizing the fitness boxing category make them the ideal new owners for TITLE Boxing Club and the optimal partner to our passionate franchisees. The two brands integrate seamlessly due to their commitment to the same core demographic and bringing the mental and physical benefits of boxing to all ages, genders, and experience levels.”

“You can expect us to expand our fitness offering with the added leadership of the BoxUnion team. Currently 81% of our locations are open and provide a safe, no-touch boxing workout for people looking to destress, get results, feel better, and gain confidence,” said Budke. “With demand for health and wellness at the highest it’s ever been, we have plans to expand into new markets, giving future franchisees an amazing opportunity to turn their passion into a profession. We adamantly believe in providing the most effective workout, in local communities and online. I look forward leading the charge for the next phase of growth in our franchise system.”

Kwanza Jones, co-founder of KJSI said, “We always look for opportunities to build mutually beneficial powerful partnerships. The BoxUnion and TITLE Boxing Club combination is just that. This investment aligns perfectly with two of KJSI’s focus areas: entrepreneurship and empowerment. Our franchisees are entrepreneurs and 70 percent of our consumers are women. We look forward to boosting opportunities for existing and new franchisees as they support our consumers on their health and fitness journey.”

About Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano SUPERCHARGED Initiative

Founded in 2014, the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano SUPERCHARGED Initiative (KJSI) is a high-impact philanthropic grantmaking and investment organization focused on four core areas: Education, Entrepreneurship, Equity, and Empowerment. Through their investing for impact model, which takes into account diversity, inclusion, and access to capital for historically underrepresented groups, Co-founders Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano are changing the face of impact investing and philanthropy. KJSI has committed more than $80 million in diverse/women founders, for-profit businesses, and nonprofit organizations that align with their mission: to boost humanity by powering possibilities. For more information, please visit kjsi.org.

Leading Boutique Fitness Franchise Awards Honors to Outstanding Franchise Partners.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — TITLE Boxing Club, the nation’s leading boutique boxing franchise with more than 165 clubs across the United States and Mexico, recently announced its 2019 franchisee award winners. In a virtual system-wide ceremony, franchise partners from across the country were awarded for everything ranging from membership numbers, retail sales, overall spirit and culture, and notable improvements over last year.

“In a year when small businesses everywhere have faced adversity unseen before, it was heartwarming to get a bit of normalcy back and recognize many of our franchisees with TITLE Boxing Club’s 2019 Franchisee Awards,” said President Susan Boresow. “The entire TITLE team gives a big thank you and wishes to convey how appreciative we are of everything our franchisees do each and every day. These awards allow us to uplift and recognize them all for their tireless work. Congratulations!”

2019’s top award, the Spirit Award, went to Ardsley, NY-based franchisees Frankie and Jeanine Palumbo. The Palumbos were honored for exemplifying TITLE Boxing Club’s values, beliefs, spirit and culture, staying active in their local community, building high member engagement and continuing to be an inspiration to their members, team and community. Josh Lyon, TITLE Boxing Club’s vice president of operations, notes, “Frankie and Jeanine are the heartbeat of this brand. They eat, sleep, and breathe TITLE Boxing Club and they truly make a difference in their member’s lives. We could not be prouder to honor them with the Spirit Award.”

Additional franchisees recognized by TITLE Boxing Club include:

• Franchisee of the Year: Mike Confalone of Lincoln Park & Wicker Park, IL for ranking in the top quartile of key metrics, operating with a premium mindset, and adhering to company values.
• Rookie of the Year: Aaron Amato of Grandville, MI for ranking in the top 25% of sales and offering the premium TITLE Boxing Club experience, while being in business for less than a year.
• Manager of the Year: Tom Reavis of Mountain View, CA for driving positive growth year-over-year and bringing a sense of business economics while contributing a premium brand mindset.
• Most Improved: Sam Heaps of Fairfax, VA for the largest year-over-year revenue increase.
• Backpack Marketing Award: Blake and Jen Kidwell of Sacramento, CA for becoming the mayor of their market, aggressively marketing their business outside of the club and being heavily involved in their community.
• Top Revenue: Danny Azzo and Team of Forest Hills, NY for achieving the highest overall revenue in the network.
• Top Membership Sales: Tyler Thompson of Nashville, TN for exemplary sales numbers in club memberships.
• Top Loyalty: Nick and Nancy Eisan of Danvers, MA for being the top club with the lowest attrition.
• Top Retail Sales: Cam Andrews of Boston Newbury St., MA for having the highest overall sales within the calendar year.

In addition to the award winners, six TITLE Boxing Club locations earned coveted Golden Bags, meaning their location amassed more than $1 million in sales in 2019. Golden Bag Clubs include Chicago’s Lincoln Park location owned by Michael Confalone, Midtown West and Midtown East in Manhattan owned by Michael Tosto, Forest Hills, NY owned by Danny Azzo, Boston Newbury St. owned by Cam Andrews, and Boston owned by Mike Musto.

Every In-Club Membership Bought in January Comes with Complimentary VIP TITLE On Demand Subscription.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — TITLE Boxing Club is offering a buy-one-get-one offer, just in time for 2020 resolutions. For the month of January, every new in-club membership comes with a complimentary VIP TITLE On Demand subscription.

The free TITLE On Demand subscription will match the term of any membership agreement purchased in January, up to one year. When members sign on to TITLE On Demand they will have access to myriad classes that work for anyone’s fitness levels or schedules. Members can choose a five to 45 minute class in boxing, kickboxing, strength & power, speed & agility and recovery. Each class is taught by TITLE Boxing Club instructors with several years of experience in helping members meet their fitness goals.

“TITLE Boxing Club is committed to helping everyone crush their fitness goals in 2020 – no matter where they are working out,” said Susan Boresow, President. “Each TITLE Boxing Club across the country is a community, but we wanted to provide our members an option to work out while on the go. With TITLE On Demand, our busy members can get the best of TITLE Boxing Club – a great workout with an experienced trainer – on their own time and in their own environment.”

This deal is a great value, with a TITLE OnDemand monthly subscription usually $24.99 per month, and an annual OnDemand subscription coming in at $239.99. The complimentary TITLE On Demand subscription with the purchase of an in-club membership comes with:

• Personalized classes that cater to a variety of ability and intensity levels – from mastering boxing basics to enhancing speed and agility to conquering quick cool-downs and recovery
• Equipment-free workouts, so anyone can create an affordable, mobile-friendly studio anywhere they reside
• The choice of sessions ranging from five to 45 minutes, so subscribers can design a fitness regimen that meets the demands of their own schedules, whether they’re time-crunched moms, busy business travelers, beginning boxers or ex-athletes

TITLE Boxing Club On Demand is available on Apple iOS, Android, Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon Fire TV and Roku. For more information, visit titleboxingclubondemand.com.

Boxing Fitness Franchise to Open 25 Clubs in Mexico’s Capital

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — TITLE Boxing Club, the nation’s leading boutique boxing fitness franchise with more than 190 open clubs across the United States and international locations in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, announced today it has signed a record 25-unit franchise agreement for Mexico City with current franchisees Alan and Jack Sandoval.

The Sandoval brothers have spent most of their professional lives as entrepreneurs in industries ranging from apparel, home & corporate decoration and real estate investment. The two already own locations in Miami and have a strong passion for the TITLE Boxing Club brand. As natives of Mexico, they saw an opportunity to bring the franchise to their home country and sign the multi-unit deal. Already well on their way to opening 25 clubs, the Sandovals and their team have opened five clubs throughout Mexico City since early 2018.

They anticipate opening five more clubs in 2019 and then five per year until 25 clubs are developed, “Ultimately, we want a TITLE Boxing Club close to everyone in Mexico,” said Jack Sandoval.

“Fitness has always been important to my family, and I was looking for a new workout to try. By the end of my first class at TITLE Boxing Club, I was hooked—not only on the workout, but also on the investment opportunity,” said Alan Sandoval. “After opening clubs in Miami, my brother and I knew we had to bring the brand to Mexico City. The timing was perfect; Mexico has always had a love for boxing, and the fitness market is primed and ready for a brand like TITLE. We are proud to bring 25 clubs to Mexico City and introduce everyone in Mexico to the best hour of their day.”

With the Mexican fitness and health club industry generating more than $1.8 billion in revenue per year, Mexico, and specifically its densely-populated capital, remains a hot growth market for TITLE Boxing Club to continue its international expansion. International momentum has largely been sustained by the brand’s premium service of explosive, total-body boxing and kickboxing classes that energize, strengthen and challenge members.

“This is a milestone agreement for TITLE Boxing Club, being the largest deal our franchise has ever had, and we couldn’t be happier to continue our great relationship with the Sandovals and their team,” said President Susan Boresow. “Mexico is the perfect country for our biggest deal; boxing is ingrained in the country’s culture, and the people have grown up with it. Mexico is renowned for introducing the world to boxing legends, from Julio César Chávez to Canelo Alvarez and more. We strive for TITLE Boxing Club to become a part of that culture and to produce a few champions of our own! This expansion marks a new era for our brand, and we are looking forward to offering our one-of-a-kind fitness experience to members in Mexico City.”

Founded in 2008, TITLE Boxing Club started franchising in 2009 and has since exploded domestically and has continued to embark on its international expansion in 2019. In addition to its development in Mexico, the brand is eyeing international growth in Canada, Colombia and Brazil.

For more information about TITLE Boxing Club’s franchise opportunity, please visit https://titleboxingclub.com/own-a-franchise/.

Strong Demand for Explosive, Total-Body Boxing/Kickboxing Classes Drives Franchise Growth

NEW YORK — TITLE Boxing Club, the nation’s leading boutique boxing fitness franchise with more than 190 clubs open across the United States, announced today it has sold the franchise rights for all of Manhattan to Michael Tosto, current multi-unit franchisee. Tosto owns three locations in Manhattan and will more than double the boxing franchise’s presence on the island with his new deal.

“New Yorkers resonate with genuineness, and that’s exactly what TITLE Boxing Club is all about,” said Tosto. “When I came to New York City, I wanted to build something great. We started building TITLE Boxing Club in the center of Manhattan nearly five years ago, and now is the right time to expand outward with one of the hardest workouts you’ll find in the city.”

Tosto opened his first location in Midtown West in June 2014. When he wasn’t teaching a class or training his staff, he was searching for his next club’s location. In May 2017, he opened TITLE Boxing Club’s second Manhattan location in Midtown East. Once both of those were extremely successful and he had a proof of concept to show landlords, he opened his third club in the Flatiron District in January 2019. In fact, two of Tosto’s three locations don gold and platinum bags, which are earned by hitting revenue milestones each year. His Midtown West club has four gold bags (2015-2018) and two platinum bags (2016-17), while the Midtown East club received a gold bag for its accomplishments in 2018.

As part of his newly-signed deal for the entire island, Tosto is currently looking for his next club location in Upper East Side, Upper West Side NoHo, SoHo and the Financial District.

“Michael has proved to be one of the most passionate and hardworking franchisees at TITLE Boxing Club, so we are proud he is looking to grow the brand in New York City,” said Susan Boresow, TITLE Boxing Club President. “Now, it’s all about duplicating that success with more locations throughout Manhattan. It’s an incredible opportunity for Michael, TITLE and New Yorkers looking for a great workout.”

With the global fitness and health club industry generating more than $80 billion in the United States annually, the entire East Coast remains hot for TITLE Boxing Club to continue its domestic expansion. The brand is looking for franchise partners particularly in other New York boroughs like Brooklyn and The Bronx, Long Island, south to Newark, NJ and its surrounding areas, and into Pennsylvania, strategically targeting Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Momentum has largely been driven by the brand’s premium offerings of explosive, total-body boxing and kickboxing classes that energize, strengthen and challenge members.

Specifically, the franchise is anticipating five additional locations in Pittsburgh, 12 in Philadelphia, 10 more in New York and 10 throughout New Jersey.

Boresow said the brand’s franchise model provides entrepreneurs with tactical site selection, marketing, operations, as well as strong leadership support. She noted the franchise is ideal for entrepreneurs similar to Tosto – those passionate about health and fitness who have leadership experience and a desire to be an active member in their community.

“Our geographically-targeted growth model was created to provide an infrastructure to help grow and support our franchisees with the proper operations, marketing guidance and ongoing training needed to ensure their success,” said Boresow. “East Coast franchise operators also have the benefit of all-star franchisees like Michael Tosto in their backyard.”

Founded in 2008, TITLE Boxing Club started franchising in 2009 and has since exploded domestically and embarked on its international expansion this year. The development model aims to aid in the brand’s domestic expansion plans to open more than 50 clubs in 2019. TITLE is also anticipating major development globally, specifically in Mexico, Canada, Panama, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Australia, Japan, Brazil, South Africa, Columbia, Peru, Chile, Dubai and China.