Hotworx Franchise Cost: Startup & Ongoing Costs

Hotworx sells infrared sauna workouts, and its studios are built around saunas that members use in sessions. That setup shapes the cost. Equipment is the biggest line, and the monthly royalty is a flat amount rather than a share of sales.

The numbers below come from the company's franchise page and from third-party summaries of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). They are published estimates, not quotes for a particular site.

The total initial investment under the 2026 FDD runs $288,890 – $830,380. The wide range reflects different studio sizes, local build costs, and how many saunas you open with. Two other sources publish a different range, covered in a later section.

The fee depends on how many licenses you buy.

A single studio carries a fee of $19,950. Three licenses together are listed at $39,950, and an additional license in a multi-unit deal is $15,000. A veteran discount of $2,500 off the license is also listed. Confirm with the company how the discount works and whether it can be combined with the multi-unit pricing.

Buying three licenses costs less per studio than buying them one at a time. Whether you can take on three locations is a separate question, since each one needs its own lease, buildout, and equipment. A multi-unit deal also commits you to more at once.

The FDD's Item 7 table lists the main startup categories.

Equipment for the saunas, software, and workout gear is the largest line, at $109,650 – $185,860. Real estate and lease deposits run $5,800 – $111,000, which is a wide range because rent and deposits depend heavily on the market. Marketing and printing is $10,000 – $31,600, and inventory is $20,000 – $31,600.

These ranges come from a single source, so they may not add up to the total shown at the top. The total can include other items, such as construction and professional fees.

Rather than a percentage of sales, the royalty is a flat $695/mo per studio. That figure is listed by L'Express Franchise. A flat royalty is predictable, but it does not shrink when sales are slow. It also means a busy studio keeps a larger share of its revenue than it would under a percentage model. Check the FDD for any other recurring fees, such as technology or marketing contributions, which may exist separately.

L'Express Franchise reports $288,890 – $830,380. Franchise Payback and PeerSense both report $252,000 – $1,182,000. The identical figures from the second pair suggest they may draw on the same FDD year or one may copy the other. The differences could also come from the way each source counts real estate and working capital. When the sources disagree this much, go straight to the latest FDD.

• Square footage. A larger studio needs more saunas and more build-out.
• Number of saunas. Equipment is the biggest line, so the count matters.
• Lease terms. Deposits and rent change from market to market.
• Build-out condition. A space already set up for fitness use may need less work.
• Multi-unit plans. Three licenses lower the fee per studio but raise your overall commitment.

A fitness studio can be a good business, but sales depend on membership numbers in your area. Ask the company how many members a typical studio has and how many studios sit in your market. Look at the FDD for financial performance data, if it is provided, and call current owners.

Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with a franchise attorney and accountant before signing. Lenders often want to see your plan, your credit, and the cash you can put in. This page reports published figures and is not investment advice.

Most restaurant and retail franchises charge a share of gross sales. A flat fee changes the math in a few ways. In a slow first year, the same amount is due whatever the studio earns, so it can feel heavier. In a strong year, it can feel lighter than a percentage would. When you compare Hotworx with a brand that charges a percentage, estimate both at several sales levels, using sales numbers you can support from the FDD or from owners you speak with.

Ask whether the flat amount can change over the term of the agreement, and whether other recurring charges, such as software or marketing contributions, apply on top of it.