PUREGYM acquired by KKR
Context
PureGym has secured a £300 million equity investment from KKR, marking a significant milestone in the group’s international expansion and digital development strategy. KKR joins the capital structure as a significant minority investor alongside the majority owner, Leonard Green & Partners (LGP), and the company’s management team. The investment is structured as Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares, which rank junior to the existing Senior Secured Notes and feature accruing, non-paid dividends. The strategic rationale for the deal centers on providing PureGym with a robust capital base to fund the opening of new sites in the UK and Switzerland, strengthen the existing network in Denmark, and accelerate international franchising efforts in the Middle East, Asia, and the United States. This transaction highlights the strong recovery of the fitness sector post-pandemic and the increasing institutional appetite for technology-led, low-cost health platforms.
In the past, the company underwent an LBO led by Leonard Green & Partners in 2017, and continued an active consolidation strategy by notably acquiring Fitness World Group (2020).
PUREGYM, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2021, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, a level to compare with the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.0x).
Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.
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Target
PureGym is the UK’s leading low-cost gym operator, recognized for pioneering the 24/7, no-contract fitness model. The company operates a large-scale network of over 240 gyms, providing affordable health and wellness services to more than 1.2 million members. Its business model relies on heavy automation, technology-driven operations, and a streamlined cost structure that allows for competitive pricing while maintaining high EBITDA margins. PureGym focuses on high-traffic urban locations and utilizes data analytics to optimize site selection and member retention. The firm’s strategic roadmap emphasizes geographic diversification and the pursuit of "European Champion" status through large-scale M&A. By offering a flexible, tech-enabled user experience, PureGym has disrupted the traditional mid-market fitness segment, establishing itself as a dominant player in the UK's value-fitness sector.
Ent. Value
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Historical Financials (GBP)
Other operations with PUREGYM
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector | Deal Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/2020 | PUREGYM | FITNESS WORLD GROUP | DENMARK | Hospitality & Leisure | PureGym has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Fitness World Group. The deal is financed through a committed bridging instrument, supported by a £35 million upsize to PureGym’s Revolving Credit Facility (RCF), with plans to replace the bridge with EUR senior secured debt in early 2020 |
| 11/2017 | LEONARD GREEN & PARTNERS | PUREGYM | UNITED STATES | Hospitality & Leisure | Leonard Green & Partners (LGP) has entered into a binding agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Pure Gym from CCMP Capital Advisors. This secondary buyout marks the complete exit for CCMP, which had held a majority stake since May 2013 |
REFERENCES
Revenue range: 250M - 500M GBP
EBITDA range: 25M - 50M GBP
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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).
Press release: view release
Target: puregym
Acquirer: kkr