Are the payments in the estimated initial investment for an Aira Fitness franchise refundable?
Aira_Fitness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
1,850 | | | The estimates above are based on a Fitness Center with 600 to 2,600 square feet. If your Fitness Center includes more or less square feet, your estimated initial investment will vary. We cannot guarantee that you will not have additional expenses starting the business.
Notes
(1) All payments are nonrefundable unless otherwise permitted by a third-party supplier.
- (2) See Item 5 for a description of the Initial Franchise Fee.
- (3) This estimate covers the cost of security cameras. The higher estimate includes the cost of installation.
- (4) The required technology system includes all hardware and software, including the purchase of the Gymmasterweb-based system, used in the operation of the Aira Fitness Business. See Item 11 for more information on the technology system.
- (5) The costs of demolition, construction and leasehold improvements depend upon the size and condition of the Aira Fitness Business premises, the local cost of contract work and supplies and how much your landlord will contribute to the build-out. The low estimate assumesthat your landlord will cover all of the cost of building out yourAira Fitness Business. Improvements include flooring, mirrors, painting, counter, and restroom and shower facilities.
- (6) You mustpurchase orlease the initialfitnessequipmentpackage ("InitialFitnessEquipmentPackage") from our affiliate.There may be times when we will not have fitness equipment available to offer for sale or lease and we will provide an alternative approved supplier. If you choose to purchase the Initial Fitness Equipment Package from our affiliate, you must pay us in cash in full. If you choose to lease the Initial Fitness Equipment Package from our affiliate, you must pay a nonrefundable deposit ranging from $8,472 to $44,359. This estimate also includes rent on the Initial Fitness Equipment Package for (i) between one and two months before you open for business and (ii) your first threemonths of operation, which will range from $1,408 to $9,815 if you choose to lease the Initial Fitness Equipm
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT FITNESS CENTER LOCATION (FDD pages 24–31)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aira Fitness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the payments within the estimated initial investment are generally nonrefundable. However, there is an exception: refunds may be possible if permitted by a third-party supplier. This means that while Aira Fitness's policy is typically not to offer refunds, certain suppliers they work with may have their own refund policies that could apply to specific expenditures.
For example, if a franchisee purchases equipment from an approved third-party supplier and that supplier has a refund policy, the franchisee might be able to get a refund from the supplier under certain conditions. However, the franchisee should not assume that refunds are available, as it depends entirely on the policies of these external suppliers. It is important to verify the refund policies of all suppliers before making any payments.
Notably, the FDD specifies that if a franchisee chooses to lease the Initial Fitness Equipment Package from Aira Fitness's affiliate, they must pay a nonrefundable deposit ranging from $5,078 to $13,930 for a Pod location or $8,472 to $44,359 for a Fitness Center location. Similarly, if a franchisee chooses to lease the Pod Package from Aira Fitness's affiliate, they must pay a nonrefundable deposit equal to $12,000. These deposits are explicitly stated as nonrefundable, regardless of the general policy regarding third-party suppliers. Therefore, franchisees should carefully consider these nonrefundable deposits when making their investment decisions.
In summary, while most payments are nonrefundable, potential Aira Fitness franchisees should check the refund policies of each third-party supplier they deal with. However, certain payments, such as the deposit for leasing the Initial Fitness Equipment Package or Pod Package from Aira Fitness's affiliate, are explicitly nonrefundable.