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09/2005

FITNESS FIRST acquired by BC PARTNERS

UNITED KINGDOM Hospitality & Leisure / Hospitality EV 500M - 1.5b GBP

Context

The sale of Fitness First to BC Partners marks a significant milestone in the company's history, as it transitions from one private equity owner to another. The deal is a testament to the success of Cinven's investment strategy, which focused on transforming Fitness First into a global market leader through a range of strategic initiatives. These initiatives included controlling the company's rapid expansion, realigning its new club opening program to focus on high-growth regions, introducing new management to drive operational and retail disciplines, and optimizing the company's balance sheet through sale and leasebacks of its freehold assets. As a result of these efforts, Fitness First has achieved significant growth and improvement in its financial performance, with EBITDA increasing by 85% since 2002. The company's future objectives are centered around continuing to drive growth and expansion, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, while maintaining its focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business excellence. The sale to BC Partners is expected to provide Fitness First with the necessary resources and support to achieve its goals, and to drive long-term value creation for its stakeholders. The deal also highlights the attractive growth prospects of the fitness industry, and the potential for private equity firms to drive value creation through strategic investments in high-quality businesses.

FITNESS FIRST, which reported an EBITDA margin of in 2005, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of , representing a to the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.0x).

-> Deep-dive in Retail & Consumer market trends

Target

Fitness First is a prominent gym chain operator with a significant presence in the health and wellness sector. The company has a long history of providing fitness services to its members, with a network of approximately 430 clubs. Fitness First offers a range of amenities and services, including state-of-the-art equipment, group fitness classes, and personal training sessions. The company has faced challenges in recent years due to increased competition from budget gym operators and declining consumer spending. Despite these challenges, Fitness First remains a well-established brand with a strong reputation in the fitness industry. The company's business model is focused on providing a high-quality fitness experience to its members, with a emphasis on convenience, flexibility, and value. Fitness First has a diverse range of membership options and pricing plans, allowing it to cater to a broad range of customers. The company's operations are supported by a team of experienced professionals, including personal trainers, group fitness instructors, and customer service staff.

Ent. Value

Equity Value

Multiples

EV / Revenue

EV / EBITDA

EV / EBIT

Historical Financials (GBP)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2005
2004

Other operations with FITNESS FIRST

List of similar M&A transactions (Date, Acquirer, Target, Country, Sub-sector)
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
03/2012OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENTFITNESS FIRSTUNITED KINGDOMHospitality

REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 500M - 1.5b GBP

EBITDA range: 50M - 100M GBP

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Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Target: fitness first

Acquirer: bc partners