Snap Fitness has strengthened the financial support available to its UK franchise network with the addition of Barclays as a new approved lending partner, further enhancing access to funding for new and existing franchisees.

The agreement means Barclays can fund a significant percentage of build costs to support Snap Fitness franchisees with new club openings, refurbishments and further investment across their portfolios, reinforcing the brand’s strong position within the UK fitness franchising sector.

The approval follows Barclays’ detailed assessment of the Snap Fitness franchise model, including its commercial performance, operational structure and long-term growth ambitions. The agreement reflects growing confidence among lenders in the resilience and scalability of the brand’s franchise system.

With more entrepreneurs looking to invest in the record-breaking UK health and fitness industry, the addition of Barclays expands the funding routes available to both new and existing Snap Fitness franchisees as they look to develop and grow within the network. The brand currently has 111 locations across the UK & Ireland and set to open over 20 new sites across the EMEA region in 2026.

The relationship has been developed in collaboration with the Barclays franchising team and Rene Swart, Chief Financial Offer at Snap Fitness EMEA, as part of the brand’s wider strategy to increase the accessibility of funding to its franchise network.

Rene said: “Securing Barclays as a funding partner is a huge endorsement of the Snap Fitness franchise proposition in the UK. Access to experienced franchise lenders plays a vital role in supporting our franchisees to open, develop and modernise their clubs with confidence.

“As we continue to grow our footprint across the UK, having the backing of a household bank like Barclays ensures our franchisees have the support they need to capitalise on new opportunities and achieve long-term success.”

“We’re really excited to be working with the team at Snap Fitness,” said Mel Alfieri, Franchise Development Manager at Barclays UK. 

“Their performance in the UK shows that they’re very much a brand on the rise and we’ve been really impressed with the team and the support they provide their franchisees. We’re looking forward to supporting their ambitious growth goals and working with franchisees to modernise their existing locations.”