mynth
11/2017

PUREGYM

Acquired by

LEONARD GREEN & PARTNERS

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

Context

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. The acquisition is a strategic entry for LGP into the UK fitness market, leveraging its extensive track record and expertise in the leisure and retail sectors. For Pure Gym, the partnership with LGP provides a new capital partner to fuel the next phase of its growth momentum following its successful rise to the top of the UK market. The deal values the company at a significant premium, reflecting its status as a market leader with nearly 1 million members and 189 operational sites. From a transaction facts perspective, the deal was supported by a $9.6 billion fund (Green Equity Investors VII), underscoring LGP's capacity for large-scale consumer service buyouts. This change in sponsorship signals a continued institutional belief in the scalable, low-cost "no-frills" fitness model and positions Pure Gym for potential future internationalization under Los Angeles-based ownership.

PUREGYM, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2017, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.4x).

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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Multiples

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EV / EBITDA

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EV / EBIT

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Historical Financials (GBP)

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2017
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Other operations with PUREGYM

DateAcquirerTargetCountrySectorDeal Context
PUREGYMUNITED STATESHospitality & Leisure

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.

FITNESS WORLD GROUPDENMARKHospitality & Leisure

Fitness World Group is a leading European value-gym operator and the undisputed market leader in Denmark. Headquartered in Denmark, the company operates a diversified portfolio of 240 fitness centers serving approximately 600,000 members across three key markets: Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland. The group’s business model is centered on a high-volume, low-cost approach, supplemented by a strong digital ecosystem and an in-house sports nutrition brand. In Denmark, the company maintains a dominant 45% market share with 185 sites. Its international footprint includes a significant presence in Switzerland (40 sites), established through the acquisition of Basefit.ch, and a growing organic and M&A-led operation in Poland (15 sites). Revenue is primarily driven by membership subscriptions (83%), with additional high-margin ancillary streams from personal training services and retail sales of fitness goods. Fitness World’s value proposition focuses on providing high-quality fitness infrastructure at accessible price points, supported by a robust mobile app that enhances member engagement. As a regional champion, the group leverages its scale to optimize procurement and operational efficiencies, positioning itself as a core platform for consolidation within the fragmented European fitness landscape.

REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 500M - 1.5b GBP

Revenue range: 100M - 200M GBP

EBITDA range: 50M - 100M GBP

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Authors: mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).