How to Finance a Kaia F.I.T. Franchise: The SBA Open-to-All Rule
By Chris Cornella
A Kaia F.I.T. franchise loan pays for a coach-led group fitness studio built around small classes, daily workouts and a close member community. Kaia F.I.T. appears on the SBA Franchise Directory, but its listing carries an unusual note: the borrower must document that the studio is open to both men and women. Understanding that note early is the most important financing step for this brand.
This article explains the concept, the costs to confirm in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), how SBA and conventional loans fit a boutique studio, and how lenders review a deal in a smaller fitness system.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Kaia F.I.T.; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, so review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant.
Kaia F.I.T. Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a boutique group fitness studio that pairs coach-led functional training with nutrition guidance and a strong community focus.
- Roots: the brand started in northern Nevada and grew through licensing and then franchising.
- Franchise fee, royalty and marketing fees: confirm in Items 5 and 6 of the current FDD; we could not verify them on franchisor materials.
- Total investment: confirm in Item 7 of the current FDD.
- Net worth and liquidity requirements: ask the franchisor; we could not verify published minimums.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Kaia F.I.T under code S5794, with a required affidavit that the business is open to both men and women and a note about the lease addendum when real estate secures the loan.
What Is Kaia F.I.T.?
Kaia F.I.T. is a group fitness brand that grew out of northern Nevada. Its model centers on coaches who lead small classes, change the workout from day to day, and get to know each member personally. The program blends strength, conditioning and mobility work with nutrition coaching and recovery-focused sessions such as yoga or stretching.
Community as the product. The brand’s identity rests on accountability and belonging. Members sign up for a program rather than a self-directed gym membership, and coaches track progress, celebrate milestones and keep attendance high. That approach shapes the business model: revenue depends on membership retention and on how well the owner hires and keeps coaches.
Studio format. A Kaia F.I.T. studio is a compact, open training floor with functional equipment rather than rows of cardio machines and selectorized weights. It needs restrooms and changing space, a check-in area and room for group classes to move safely.
How lenders see the brand. Lenders view small boutique fitness concepts as service businesses with modest hard assets and recurring membership revenue. They focus on the owner’s ability to fill classes, retain members and manage coaches. Because the system is smaller than national fitness chains, lenders lean more heavily on the borrower’s strength and the FDD’s disclosures. Our article on financing an emerging franchise explains what changes when a system is less established.
Kaia F.I.T. Franchise Costs
We could not access the current Kaia F.I.T. FDD, so the figures below are categories to confirm rather than amounts. Request the latest FDD from the franchisor before you apply for any loan.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the franchise fee, when it is due, whether any part is refundable and whether additional studios carry a different fee.
Lease and build-out. Most studios occupy leased retail or flex space. Build-out covers flooring suited to functional training, lighting, sound, HVAC, restrooms, changing areas and finishes that match the brand standards. Landlord improvement allowances can reduce what you finance.
Equipment. Functional training relies on racks, rigs, free weights, kettlebells, plyometric boxes, rowers or bikes, mats, suspension trainers and storage. The franchisor’s equipment list in the FDD controls what you buy and from whom.
Opening costs and working capital. Pre-sale marketing, grand opening events, coach hiring and certification, software, insurance, deposits and funds for the months before membership covers expenses all belong in the budget.
Total investment. Item 7 of the FDD totals the estimated initial investment. Expect line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Fitness equipment and flooring
- Furniture, fixtures, sound system and signage
- Technology, member management software and point-of-sale
- Training travel and coach certification
- Pre-opening and grand opening marketing
- Rent deposits, utility deposits, insurance and professional fees
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and marketing fees. Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand or marketing fund contribution, technology fees, local advertising requirements, transfer and renewal fees. Some boutique fitness brands charge a percentage of sales and others charge a flat monthly amount, so confirm which structure applies.
Equipment refresh. Functional equipment wears out and brand standards can change. Ask whether the franchise agreement requires periodic upgrades or a studio refresh.
Why this matters to the loan. Lenders build projections after royalties, marketing fees, rent, coach payroll and software, then test whether the studio can cover loan payments with a cushion. A small studio has little room for error, so fixed fees matter more when membership is still ramping.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify published net worth or liquid capital minimums. Ask the franchisor for its current requirements and whether it prefers owners who coach in the studio, owners with fitness or management experience, or both.
Approval process. Expect an inquiry, discovery calls, review of your finances, receipt of the FDD with the required waiting period before signing, and franchisor approval of your site. Ask what coach training or certification is required before opening.
Ways to Own a Kaia F.I.T.
A new studio. Most owners open a new location. Lenders underwrite projections, the owner’s experience and liquidity. Read about fitness center start-up financing.
Buying an existing studio. If an owner sells, a buyer gets a member base, trained coaches and an equipped space, subject to franchisor approval and any transfer fee. See our fitness center acquisition financing and our article on buying a boutique fitness studio.
Additional studios. Successful owners may add studios if the franchisor offers multi-unit rights.
Financing Options for a Kaia F.I.T. Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. For many buyers, a Kaia F.I.T. franchise loan starts with the SBA 7(a) program, which can cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital in one loan, provided the borrower can meet the directory note described below.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the building that houses your studio, an SBA 504 loan can finance the real estate. Most boutique studios lease, so this fits only owners who purchase property.
Conventional loans. Owners with strong credit and collateral, or existing businesses, may use a conventional business loan.
Equipment financing. Rigs, racks, rowers, bikes and flooring can be financed separately so cash stays available for marketing and payroll. See our fitness equipment financing and leasing options.
Working capital. New studios often run a pre-sale period, then spend months building membership. January sign-ups and summer slowdowns can create uneven cash flow. Learn about fitness center working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A selling owner may carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and loan programs may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for Kaia F.I.T. Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise documents have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. A listing clears the franchise relationship for review but does not approve any borrower.
The listing. Kaia F.I.T appears under code S5794 with two notes. First, the lender or certified development company must obtain an affidavit signed by the applicant stating that the business is open to both men and women, and must document the file with evidence, such as appropriate bath or locker rooms or documented membership demographics. Second, when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the lease addendum may not be executed.
What the open-to-all note means. SBA rules do not allow financing for businesses that restrict patronage. Because Kaia F.I.T. is known for programs marketed to women, the SBA requires proof that the specific studio being financed does not exclude anyone. In practice, plan your floor layout with restrooms and changing areas that serve all members, keep membership policies that admit everyone, and be ready to show member data if asked. A template of the affidavit is available from the SBA’s franchise team, and your lender will guide the paperwork.
What the lease note means. Franchisors often require a lease addendum giving them certain rights in a franchisee’s lease. If you own the property and pledge it as collateral, there is no third-party lease to amend, so the addendum should not be signed.
Program limits. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Our article on SBA loans for gyms covers the program in more depth, and our SBA loan calculator can help with planning estimates, which are not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Kaia F.I.T. Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and require personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want an equity injection and reserves left over after opening. A studio that relies on pre-sales should show it can survive slower enrollment.
Fitness and management experience. Coaching credentials, studio management or sales experience strengthen a request. If you will not coach, show how you will hire and keep a strong head coach.
Business plan and projections. Projections should cover pre-sale targets, membership growth, pricing, attrition, coach payroll, rent and all franchise fees.
Open-to-all documentation. Include your membership policy, floor plan and marketing approach so the lender can complete the affidavit file.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer conditions, Item 10 for any franchisor financing and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations.
Site and lease. Lenders review the lease term, rent, parking, visibility and how well the space fits group classes. For resales, expect to provide several years of studio financial statements and membership reports.
Equipment and Studio Design
Functional training equipment is less expensive than a full commercial gym floor, but it takes daily abuse. Rubber flooring protects the building and the equipment. Racks and rigs may need to be anchored, which ties them to the build-out schedule. Rowers and bikes need regular service. Finance long-lived items over terms that match their useful life, and keep a repair reserve so a broken rower never cancels a class.
Multi-Unit Growth
Owners who open a second studio usually rely on the first one’s track record. Lenders want to see stable membership and cash flow before financing the next location, and they review the combined debt of all studios. Make sure each studio can stand on its own, and keep coaching depth so the first studio does not slip while you open the second.
Real-World Scenarios
A certified coach becoming an owner. A coach with years of group training experience opens a studio with an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and working capital, and documents an open-to-all membership policy for the affidavit.
A business owner diversifying. A local business owner with strong cash flow funds a studio with a conventional loan and hires an experienced head coach.
A buyer acquiring an existing studio. A member who loves the program buys the studio from a retiring owner with an SBA loan and a small seller note, after reviewing several years of membership data.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the SBA open-to-all affidavit until late in the loan process
- Designing changing and restroom areas that do not serve all members
- Assuming pre-sale membership will match long-term retention
- Budgeting too little for flooring, sound and ventilation
- Opening with thin working capital
Read the fitness center loan mistakes that cost owners the most for more.
Next Steps to Finance Your Kaia F.I.T. Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Confirm the franchisor is offering franchises in your state and get the latest disclosure document.
Step 2: Review it with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Plan for the SBA note. Decide how your studio will meet the open-to-all requirement.
Step 4: Choose your site. Decide whether you will lease or own, and confirm the space fits group classes.
Step 5: Build projections. Model pre-sales, membership growth, coach payroll, rent and fees.
Step 6: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA, conventional and equipment financing.
Step 7: Apply and coordinate. Align loan approval with franchisor approval, lease signing and build-out.
Kaia F.I.T. Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Kaia F.I.T. franchise cost?
Item 7 of the current FDD gives the estimated initial investment. We could not verify it, so request the latest document from the franchisor.
What is the Kaia F.I.T. franchise fee and royalty?
Items 5 and 6 of the FDD disclose them. Confirm whether the royalty is a percentage of sales or a flat amount.
How much net worth and liquid capital do I need?
Ask the franchisor for its current minimums. Lenders also expect an equity injection and reserves.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Kaia F.I.T.?
Yes, if you qualify and can document that the studio is open to both men and women, as the brand’s directory listing under code S5794 requires.
Why does the SBA require an affidavit for this brand?
SBA rules do not permit financing businesses that restrict patronage. The affidavit and supporting evidence confirm the studio serves everyone.
Can I finance the equipment separately?
Yes. Racks, rigs, rowers, bikes and flooring can be financed with an equipment loan or lease.
Can I buy an existing Kaia F.I.T. studio?
Yes, with franchisor approval. Lenders will review the studio’s financial statements, membership history and lease.
Can a first-time owner get a Kaia F.I.T. franchise loan?
Yes, with good credit, enough equity, a realistic plan and either fitness experience or a strong coaching team.
Does Kaia F.I.T. offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD for any franchisor financing. Most owners use outside loans.
How long is the franchise agreement?
Item 17 of the FDD discloses the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 of the current FDD and speak with existing owners.
Final Thoughts
A Kaia F.I.T. franchise loan funds a small, coach-driven studio whose success depends on community and retention. Buyers who get the current FDD, plan for the SBA open-to-all requirement, budget realistically and keep strong reserves present a much stronger request.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and fitness center financing solutions.
