parrot head

The wife an I just got back from a local tanning show in St Cloud, Mn. This show was sponsered by Suntan Supply. We were approached by a rep offering us an opportunity to become a franchise for this 24/7 unattended salon. They own some Anytime Fitness centers and are opening 24/7 tanning centers. They have three open now, with 5 more just about ready. When I told the rep where we were located, he already know the name of our salon. Someone has already approached them about a I Beach Tan here in town. I figured this was just a sales ploy to get us to sign on the dotted line, but he did know our salon and said the potential franchise said that we would be his only real competition. This is maybe old news, but they have new ideas and are opening salons. Anybody know anything about this company?

sunsally

http://www.ibeachtan.com/the-difference.cfm


Looks like MN, one in IL and a few in Texas.

I don't know this particular group, but having 24/7 fitness people decide to expand into tanning isn't new - they've done that in several other places too (GA,...)

To qualify as an Anytime Fitness franchisee, you have to have a deep bankroll and strong financials -- usually 500K plus to open up.

Now - that doesn't mean that THEY will know how to be good franchisors and how to help their franchisees be successful.

But at $9.99/mo, 24/7 access, top of the line Ergo and/or KBL equip and Versa Spa --- they would be formidable competition.

excitednewguy

Have seen a few 24 Hour tanning salons. I am still at a loss on how the beds are cleaned, inventory secured, etc. etc.

tanu01

I used to have my stores open from 6am til midnight, Just got to be to much of a secruity risk.
That was 15 years ago. Look at the world now. NO WAY....................

parrot head

Only $7500 franchise fee, and I don't know what the percentage take is. Salon hours attended are 10am til 8pm. After hours lotion is bought fron a vending machine. I already get comments from former customers of Anytime and Snap that the beds are never cleaned and they don't feel really secure tanning late hours, no matter how monitored the facilities are. I'm not going to worry about it. They would have to spend a minimum of $300,000 just for equipment to compete with our 20 bed salon. A lot of college kids don't have $99.00 to pay for the annual fee. They had a good sales pitch, and a little scare tactic to go with it. All I can say is bring it on. We don't have deep pockets, but our equipment is paid for, and we don't have rent to pay.

Black Sun

The concept is not new in GA> Has been on-going for 2 years being introduced by 2 separate companies. One is local, another national. Local guy opening 24/7 new and do not believe are franchised--yet. The national buys your salon (must have proven record), if the fit is good they transform into a 24/7.

Visited both with much skepticism..but walked away sorry I did not come up with the concept. Both seem to be doing well and catching on.

A 24/7 Fitness by me offers tanning. They have 2 KBL 4500 beds. Was surprised, expecting to see some 28 lamp home unit. These folks seem to be on track, IMO

sunsally

Yep - GA for about 2 years, and as you say - seems to be working.

The gyms are putting better beds in around the country. They make it easy - $9.99/mo or $99/yr to join the gym and adding the tanning isn't much more. You are already there, makeup off, etc -- it's an easy "why not" to add the tanning and make that your "salon". Gyms have people "self cleaning" the fitness machines - so having to take a towel and solution to clean off the tanning bed doesn't seem like that much of a stretch.

24/7 tanning alone won't appeal to ALL clients - but they don't have to. Just have to be another player taking a piece of the pie....If their equipment is better, hours are more convenient and prices are lower --- they WILL be a threat........

sbt501

The only difference from gyms that have tanning now are they put in better equipment. The real question isa will they maintain the lamps like many gym do or should I say don't do. I hear it all the time < i TAN AT MY GYM BUT THEIR LAMPS SUCK.

SteveO

I was at the tanning expo on Saturday too. Parrot Head, I didn't know you were coming to town. It would have been nice to show you my salon.

We are located only 3 blocks from the civic center and a new iBeach just opened today 4 blocks from the civic center. Yes, they are located 1 block from me and 1 block closer to the University. Not very happy about it. They are adding 12 beds to an already over-saturated market.

Is the $9.99 per month the actual price for tanning or is it for the 24/7 access? The first iBeach is on the other side of town and they charge a premium for access beyond the staffed hours.

craymnguy

Hi this is my 1st post. I know the guy that is opening the one in alex in mn. It sounds like a strange idea. and im still scratching my head if i want to buy into one.. The owners asked me to sign and i dont know what to think about the 24 hr tanning is new and strange. but so was the 24hr gyms" was also at the st cloud tanning expo on Saturday too