How to Finance a D1 Training Franchise: Athlete Gym Costs
By Marc Cornella
A D1 Training franchise loan pays for a coach-led athletic training facility rather than a standard membership gym, and that difference shapes how the deal is underwritten. Lenders look closely at the build-out of a large open training floor, the pre-sale membership plan and an owner who will often run the business through a manager.
This article covers what the franchisor says it costs to open a D1 Training facility, the fees that follow, the capital it expects from owners, and how SBA, conventional and equipment financing fit together.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by D1 Training; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures drawn from the franchisor’s disclosure document and website can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, and buyers should review the current disclosure document and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
D1 Training Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Initial franchise fee: $62,500, according to the franchisor’s start-up cost summary of its Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) dated April 30, 2026.
- Opening support fee: $29,500, also listed in that summary.
- Multi-unit fees: the franchisor lists discounted fees of $43,000 for a second location, $38,000 for a third and $33,000 for a fourth.
- Royalty: 7%, per the franchisor’s franchise FAQ.
- Estimated initial investment: $401,776 to $837,381.
- Owner requirements: at least $250,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of $500,000.
- Facility size: roughly 3,500 to 5,000 square feet, according to the franchisor’s recruitment page.
- Footprint: the franchisor says D1 now serves more than 170 U.S. markets.
- Financial performance: the 2026 FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed, with a note about lien position on collateral.
What Is D1 Training?
D1 Training began when Will Bartholomew, a Nashville native and former University of Tennessee fullback, started training young athletes after an injury ended his professional football career. The company dates its start to 2001 and describes its roots as one small facility in Nashville, Tennessee. Professional athletes have since joined as partners and co-owners.
The concept. D1 is built around athlete-style training for youth and adults. Every session is coach-led, with structured programming organized into multi-week training cycles. Youth programs focus on speed, strength, agility and character development for young athletes, while adult classes bring the same athletic approach to general fitness.
The facility. A typical D1 facility combines turf for speed and agility work, a strength area with racks and platforms, cardio equipment and space for small-group coaching. The franchisor describes facilities of about 3,500 to 5,000 square feet, usually in leased commercial space.
The owner model. D1’s recruitment materials describe a semi-absentee, manager-run model, and the franchisor notes that many owners hold more than one territory. Staffing ranges from about 6 employees at some facilities to more than 12 at others, growing with membership.
Why lenders view D1 the way they do. Lenders see a brand with a defined youth sports niche, recurring memberships and an established franchise system. They also see a leasehold-heavy build-out with limited hard collateral, a business that depends on coaching talent and a revenue base that must be built through pre-sales and local marketing. A strong owner balance sheet and a credible general manager plan carry a lot of weight.
D1 Training Franchise Costs Behind the Loan
Initial franchise fee. The franchisor’s start-up cost summary of its April 30, 2026 FDD lists a $62,500 initial franchise fee and a separate $29,500 opening support fee. Owners who develop more than one facility pay reduced fees for additional locations.
Real estate and build-out. D1 franchisees generally lease space rather than buy it. Leasehold improvements are the largest line item, at $201,521 to $432,413, which can include turf, flooring, lighting, restrooms and finishes. The estimate also includes $5,000 for real estate services, a security deposit of $5,000 to $39,463 and three months of rent ranging from $0 to $33,000.
Equipment and technology. Strength and cardio equipment is estimated at $4,700 to $90,065. Furniture and fixtures run $1,500 to $3,000, and computer equipment and software run $8,555 to $9,740.
Opening costs and working capital. The estimate includes an initial marketing spend of $25,000 to $35,000, pre-opening salaries and wages of $29,000 to $46,200, and $15,000 to $30,000 in additional funds for the first 3 months.
Total investment. The total estimated initial investment is $401,776 to $837,381. The line items in the franchisor’s summary are:
- Initial franchise fee: $62,500
- Opening support fee: $29,500
- Initial marketing spend: $25,000 to $35,000
- Leasehold improvements: $201,521 to $432,413
- Real estate services: $5,000
- Furniture and fixtures: $1,500 to $3,000
- Strength and cardio equipment: $4,700 to $90,065
- Opening inventory and supplies: $2,500
- Grand opening kit, merchandise and apparel: $5,000
- Computer equipment and software: $8,555 to $9,740
- Pre-opening salaries and wages: $29,000 to $46,200
- Training expenses: $1,000 to $4,000
- Security deposit: $5,000 to $39,463
- Three months’ rent: $0 to $33,000
- Professional fees, permits and licenses: $4,000 to $6,000
- Insurance premium: $2,000 to $4,000
- Additional funds (3 months): $15,000 to $30,000
The Item 7 notes in the current FDD explain the assumptions behind each range.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty. D1’s franchise FAQ lists a 7% royalty. Because it is charged on revenue, it reduces cash available for debt service in every month, including slow ones.
Marketing and technology. Expect brand fund, local marketing and software obligations as well. The exact rates and amounts are set out in Item 6 of the current FDD, and a lender will expect your projections to include every recurring fee listed there.
Payroll. Because every session is coached, labor is a major operating cost. A facility that grows from a small team toward a dozen or more employees adds payroll as membership grows, so projections should tie staffing to the membership ramp.
Remodels and equipment refresh. Turf, racks and cardio machines wear out with heavy use. Review the franchise agreement for any required updates and build a replacement reserve into the plan.
How lenders factor these costs in. When sizing a D1 Training franchise loan, lenders start from projected membership revenue, subtract royalty, marketing, rent, payroll and other operating costs, and then measure whether what remains covers the proposed loan payments with a margin to spare.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
D1’s franchise FAQ spells out the financial thresholds:
- Liquid capital: at least $250,000.
- Net worth: at least $500,000.
- Background: no fitness background is required; D1 looks for driven, community-minded people with an interest in sports and fitness.
- Management: the semi-absentee model means owners typically hire a strong general manager and coaching staff.
- Support: the franchisor says it helps with site selection, lease negotiation, build-out, staffing and marketing.
The approval process. Candidates submit an inquiry, review the FDD, speak with existing owners and complete the franchisor’s discovery steps before signing. After signing, site selection, lease negotiation and build-out follow, with pre-sales starting before the doors open.
Ways to Own a D1 Training
A new facility. Most owners open a new location in an available market. Financing covers the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, pre-opening payroll, marketing and working capital, and lenders underwrite on projections and the owner’s strength. See our overview of fitness center start-up financing.
Buying an existing facility. Existing D1 facilities sometimes change hands. A buyer pays for equipment, the leasehold, membership base and goodwill, and the transfer requires franchisor approval. Lenders can underwrite actual membership and revenue history. Learn more about fitness center acquisition loans and our article on buying a boutique fitness studio.
Multiple territories. The franchisor’s reduced fees for second, third and fourth locations make multi-unit development a frequent topic. Financing usually happens one facility at a time, matched to the development schedule.
Financing Options for a D1 Training Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because D1 is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan is often the primary structure for a D1 Training franchise loan on a new facility or an acquisition. A 7(a) loan can cover leasehold improvements, equipment, franchise fees and working capital in one package.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. Since most D1 facilities lease space, 504 generally fits only when an owner buys the building.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong liquidity or several operating facilities may use a conventional business loan, especially for later units where existing cash flow supports the request.
Equipment financing. Squat racks, platforms, dumbbells, sleds, turf, treadmills, bikes and rowers can be financed or leased separately, which can preserve cash for build-out and pre-opening costs. Explore gym equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Youth training demand can follow school calendars and sports seasons, and a new facility needs payroll before memberships mature. A line of credit can smooth those swings. See our fitness center working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. In the purchase of an existing facility, a seller may agree to carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA programs may limit how they are structured.
SBA Loans for D1 Training Franchisees
SBA franchise lending depends on the SBA Franchise Directory, which lists brands whose agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. A listing does not approve any borrower; it clears the franchise relationship so a lender can consider an SBA-guaranteed loan.
D1’s directory listing. D1 Training appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S2347. The listing carries a note that the lender or certified development company must make sure it secures the appropriate lien position on all collateral in accordance with SBA rules.
What that note means in plain English. The SBA lender must take the lien position on business assets that SBA rules call for. For a D1 owner, that matters most where equipment is leased or financed separately, where a landlord holds rights in fixtures, or where another lender already has a claim on the assets. Tell your SBA lender up front about any equipment leases or other liens so the collateral plan works.
Program size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Our article on SBA loans for gyms covers how these loans work for fitness businesses.
SBA application tips. Prepare a business plan with a month-by-month membership ramp, a sources-and-uses budget tied to the Item 7 categories, a personal financial statement, tax returns and the signed lease or letter of intent. Our SBA loan calculator can help estimate payments for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a D1 Training Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and owners typically sign personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. D1’s $250,000 liquidity and $500,000 net worth thresholds set a floor. Lenders also look at what remains after the equity injection, because a new facility may need time to reach steady membership.
Industry and management experience. No fitness background is required by the franchisor, but lenders like to see business management experience and a plan for hiring a general manager and qualified coaches.
Business plan and projections. Strong plans show pre-sale targets, a realistic split between youth and adult members, staffing tied to enrollment, and seasonality around school and sports calendars. Item 19 of the FDD contains financial performance information you can review with an accountant, but lenders will expect your own conservative assumptions.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer conditions and territory rights. Our article on reading an FDD for financing explains which items matter.
Site and lease. The lease term should cover the loan term, and lenders look at visibility, parking, proximity to schools and youth sports programs, and permitted use for athletic training.
Historical financials for existing facilities. For a resale, expect to provide membership reports, profit and loss statements and tax returns for recent years.
Equipment and the Training Floor
A D1 facility is designed for athletic movement more than rows of machines. Turf lanes for sprints and sled work, lifting platforms, racks, plyometric boxes, medicine balls and conditioning equipment get heavy, daily use. Some equipment can be leased, some bought outright and some financed with a term loan.
Planning for replacement. Turf and high-use equipment will need replacement, so a reserve or an equipment line arranged in advance keeps upgrades from straining cash flow.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
The franchisor’s tiered fees for second, third and fourth locations reflect a system where many owners develop more than one facility. A development schedule commits the owner to opening units by set dates, so financing must be lined up for each opening.
Financing a second or third facility. Once the first facility has operating history, lenders can underwrite its cash flow alongside projections for the next. Owners may finance each unit separately or combine debt as the group grows. Our article on area development agreement financing explains how to plan capital for a schedule.
Real-World Scenarios
A former college athlete opening a first facility. A buyer with a business career and a college sports background meets D1’s liquidity and net worth thresholds, signs for one territory and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and working capital. The lender focuses on the pre-sale plan and the general manager hire.
A semi-absentee investor buying an existing location. A buyer acquires an operating facility from a franchisee who is relocating. The lender reviews membership history and staff retention, and part of the price is carried by a subordinate seller note.
A multi-unit developer adding a third facility. An owner with two facilities signs for a third at the reduced fee. A conventional loan backed by the existing cash flow covers the build-out, and equipment is leased separately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating leasehold improvement costs, the largest item in the investment range
- Assuming memberships will cover payroll from day one instead of planning a ramp
- Leaving out the 7% royalty and other Item 6 fees from projections
- Ignoring seasonality tied to school calendars and sports seasons
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Not telling the SBA lender about equipment leases or other liens
- Committing to a development schedule without a plan to fund each opening
For more pitfalls, read the fitness center loan mistakes owners make.
Next Steps to Finance Your D1 Training Franchise
Step 1: Confirm you meet D1’s requirements. Make sure you have at least $250,000 in liquid capital and $500,000 in net worth, with reserves left over.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Choose a market and site. Work with the franchisor on site selection and a lease that fits the loan term.
Step 4: Build your projections. Model pre-sales, membership growth, staffing and every recurring fee.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), conventional and equipment financing, and plan how equipment leases fit the SBA collateral rules.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate approvals. Submit your loan package and align closing with the franchise agreement, lease and construction timeline.
Step 7: Close and launch pre-sales. Fund the build-out, hire your manager and coaches, and start selling memberships before opening.
D1 Training Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a D1 Training franchise?
The franchisor’s start-up cost summary of its April 30, 2026 FDD puts the total estimated initial investment at $401,776 to $837,381.
What is the D1 Training franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $62,500, plus a $29,500 opening support fee. The franchisor lists reduced fees of $43,000, $38,000 and $33,000 for a second, third and fourth location.
What royalty does D1 Training charge?
The franchisor’s FAQ lists a 7% royalty. Check Item 6 of the current FDD for marketing, technology and other recurring fees.
How much liquid capital and net worth do I need?
D1 requires at least $250,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of $500,000.
Can I get an SBA loan for a D1 Training franchise?
D1 Training is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, so an SBA 7(a) loan is available to qualified borrowers, subject to lender approval and the directory’s note on lien position.
Can I finance the equipment separately?
Yes. Strength and cardio equipment can often be leased or financed separately, but tell your SBA lender about any equipment lease so the collateral plan meets SBA rules.
Can a first-time owner get a D1 Training franchise loan?
Yes. The franchisor says no fitness background is required, and lenders weigh liquidity, credit, management experience and the general manager plan.
Can I buy an existing D1 Training facility?
Yes, with franchisor approval. Lenders can underwrite an existing facility’s membership and financial history, and financing may combine an SBA or conventional loan with a seller note.
Can I own more than one D1 Training?
Yes. The franchisor offers reduced fees for additional locations, and many owners hold more than one territory.
Does D1 Training offer financing?
Review Item 10 of the current FDD for any franchisor financing. Most owners arrange their own loans.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Yes. The 2026 FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation. Review it with an accountant and build your own conservative projections.
Final Thoughts
A D1 Training facility combines a youth sports niche with a coach-led model and a build-out-heavy budget. Owners who meet the franchisor’s capital thresholds before applying for a D1 Training franchise loan, plan a realistic membership ramp and line up SBA, conventional and equipment financing early give themselves a strong start.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and fitness center financing solutions.
