Hot on the heels of a four-brand deal with Kuwait, John Kersh, chief international development officer at Xponential Fitness, has brokered a master franchise agreement in Japan for Rumble and AKT.

Rumble provides boxing-inspired circuits in a group fitness setting and AKT is a full-body workout that combines cardio dance intervals.

The deal, to launch at least 100 new studios in the next eight years, is with Xponential’s master franchise partner in Japan, Wellness X Asia – led by Naoki Shimabukuro – which also has franchise rights for Club Pilates and CycleBar.

“The Japanese market is ready for world-class boutique fitness options like Rumble and AKT, and we are excited to ramp up our growth in this strategically important market,” said Kersh. “Naoki and the Wellness X Asia team have done an outstanding job developing Club Pilates in Japan, and we are confident they will have equal success with Rumble, AKT and CycleBar.”

Xponential sold master franchise rights for Club Pilates to Shimabukuro in 2019, in its first international agreement. Since then 30 territories have been sold and Wellness X Asia have opened 14 Club Pilates studios. CycleBar is set to open in the new year, with Rumble and AKT planned for market launch later in 2023.

“Our wide range of franchise offerings, including Club Pilates and CycleBar, followed now by Rumble and AKT, will provide multiple paths for rapid studio expansion in Japan to the highly motivated, fitness-focused consumer community,” said Shimabukuro.

In addition to the US and Canada, Xponential has master franchise or international expansion agreements in 14 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

Further brands include Stride and BFT, which has won two lawsuits over patent infringement this year against F45, in both US and Australian courts.