CEO Forum – 04.21.17 HCARS

Chuck Runyon
AnyTime Fitness

With more than 20 years experience managing, owning, and franchising health clubs, Chuck Runyon revolutionized the fitness industry when he and Dave Mortensen co-founded Anytime Fitness, an alternative to big-box gyms. Anytime Fitness offers smaller, neighborhood gyms featuring convenience, affordability, quality equipment, and personal service with 24/7 access to members. Anytime Fitness was named Top Global Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2015 and 2016 and is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world, according to Business Insider. Runyon’s mother was the manager of a McDonald’s, so he learned about the franchise business model from her while working there as a teenager. While in college, he worked as a part-time salesperson for a fitness club and quit school to start a fitness marketing company. He and partner Dave Mortensen focus on people rather than money. Runyon likens a great business to being a great host. “Make sure everyone else is taken care of and, in the end, you’ll get what you want too, ” he says.