The Franchise: Nashville-based D1 Training offers high-level fitness and performance training programs at its 27 facilities (with an additional 99 in the works) across 26 states. The concept was founded in 2001 by former NFL player Will Bartholomew and has attracted other professional athletes as franchisees, such as Von Miller, Tim Tebow and Michael Oher. Thanh Nguyen recently opened D1’s first Milwaukee-area franchise and has plans to open three additional locations over the next few years.
“We thought that we could do a lot with D1, especially in the Milwaukee area,” Nguyen said. “There are concepts throughout the area run by individuals or small gyms, but nobody can bring in the national level, the discipline and training of D1.”
March 2018:
Nguyen reaches out to D1 Training about franchise opportunities after researching the market. He and his wife, Chris Fredrick, were both college athletes and are longtime coaches, so D1’s athlete-focused programming resonated with them.
August 2018:
Nguyen signs a multi-unit deal that covers the entire Milwaukee metro market, seizing an opportunity to attract athletes from a number of highly competitive school and club sports teams in the area.
“Our No. 1 focus is young athletes,” Nguyen said. “We’ve had a lot of clubs express interest already.”
March 2, 2020:
D1 Training opens at 11020 N. Port Washington Road in Mequon. The 10,000-square-foot facility includes an AstroTurf field and equipment, such as tires, battle ropes, medicine balls and weights.
Mid-March 2020:
D1 temporarily shuts its doors due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Thanks to an online training app and Zoom, members can work out and connect with trainers virtually, and the business can continue to pay its two full-time coaches while cutting back their hours. Nguyen said it’s a tough time to open a gym, but he’s optimistic about the future.
“We feel confident that this is going to bounce back, especially with the (young athletes),” Nguyen said. “That’s not going away; the competition’s not going away.”
The franchise fee
$60,000
