The US fitness franchise sector is drawing operators from well beyond the gym industry. On August 19, 2026, Retro Fitness announced a multi-unit development agreement with Laddi Singh, a seasoned QSR franchisee who currently runs more than 50 Popeyes, Burger King, and Arby’s restaurants across New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
The franchise agreement marks one of the more visible examples of a large QSR operator diversifying into the fitness sector. Singh has earned multiple industry recognitions during his restaurant career, including Popeyes Franchisee of the Year (2020), the Popeyes Gold Plate Award (2024), and the Arby’s Inspiring Smiles Award (2020). He has completed more than 30 ground-up development projects, bringing direct experience in site selection, construction management, and real estate execution to what is his first venture in the fitness industry.
A Decorated Restaurant Operator Enters the Fitness Market
Singh’s first Retro Fitness club will open on Long Island, with additional locations planned to follow in the New York market. The deal represents Singh’s first partnership outside the quick-service restaurant franchise sector.
As someone who has spent years building and growing franchise businesses in QSR, I was looking to diversify with my next investment
“Retro Fitness immediately stood out because of its high-value, low-price model, experienced management team, and comprehensive support for franchisees. It combines a business I’m excited about with a model I believe in, and I’m looking forward to introducing the brand to more communities across New York,” Singh noted.
High-Value, Low-Price Fitness Continues to Draw Multi-Brand Investors
The high-value, low-price (HVLP) fitness category positions itself around affordable monthly memberships, broad equipment access, and relatively low labor overhead compared to boutique concepts. These characteristics are frequently cited by operators with backgrounds in cost-focused franchise systems as factors that make the model familiar in terms of unit economics. The Singh deal adds to a broader pattern of QSR multi-unit operators looking at fitness franchises as a portfolio diversification move, particularly as restaurant labor costs and food input prices have continued to put pressure on margins in the food service segment.
What Retro Fitness Has Said About Its Expansion Strategy
Andrew Alfano, CEO of Retro Fitness, described the agreement as reflecting broader confidence from sophisticated operators in the brand’s franchise model. “Laddi’s investment reflects the confidence sophisticated franchisees have in the Retro Fitness brand,” Alfano said. “Coming from hospitality myself, I understand why an experienced QSR operator would see the opportunity to diversify into high-value, low-price fitness. Laddi has built an exceptional track record across multiple franchise brands, and we’re thrilled to partner with him.” Retro Fitness offers franchisees a support program covering site selection, construction management, marketing, accounting, a centralized call center, and ongoing operational guidance.
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