Jopp AG, the wellness group which operates nine Hard Candy fitness clubs under a franchise agreement in the German capital Berlin, has been placed in administration.

As a result the company – which also operates four clubs under the Superwoman brand – has been forced to close some of its 13 clubs.

The Hard Candy brand was launched by singer Madonna and entrepreneur Mark Mastrov in 2010.

It is unclear how many of Jopp’s clubs will be forced to close, but at the time of writing at least seven Hard Candy clubs have shut their doors. Two of the Hard Candy clubs – in Berlin’s Bergmannstrasse and at the city’s Europa Center – remain open to members.

In a statement, interim receiver Torsten Martini said: “As things stand now it is not realistic that the branches which have closed will open again.

“Operations at the Superwoman gym at the Ciou shopping centre and the Hard Candy club on Bergmannstrasse continue to date – but whether these clubs can remain open permanently, is not yet known.”

Jopp AG opened its first Hard Candy club in Berlin in September 2013 – with Madonna attending the grand launch.

Much of Hard Candy’s planned European expansion was resting on the success of Jopp, which also held exclusive rights to operate the brand in Austria and Switzerland.

Earlier this year, the only remaining Hard Candy club in North America – in Toronto, Canada – closed its doors and was rebranded as Aura Fitness by its owner.

There are still Hard Candy clubs operating in Mexico, Russia, Italy and Australia.