3 Of The Most Interesting Retail Franchises At The Franchise West Expo

Restaurants, sign companies, barbershops, waxing salons: More than 400 retail franchise companies across various industries gathered earlier this month to showcase their businesses to potential owners at MFV Expositions' annual Franchise West Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Danish ice cream brand Paradis handed out samples of its specialty ice cream, while 7-Eleven officials highlighted the growth and profitability of their convenience store chain.

Attendees donned virtual reality glasses and faced off and trained with a virtual Floyd Mayweather Jr., the retired boxing champion, at the Mayweather Boxing + Fitness booth.

About 15,000 people attended the three-day convention where attendees learned about different retail business opportunities, attended seminars on how to start a franchise and walked around to meet with exhibitors.

The Macerich Co. Leasing Manager Michael Rafferty said these retailers play an important role not only in the development of a business but for property owners, managers and developers.

These businesses lease up spots at malls, shopping centers and other brick-and-mortar retail outlets, he said. Macerich had a booth set up at the convention.

"What's the first thing you do when you start a business?" Rafferty said. "You have to find a home. Our goal is to assist them in the process of finding a home."

Here are some of the interesting franchises coming to a city near you:

Mayweather Boxing + Fitness

Founded by undefeated former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mayweather Boxing + Fitness is a fitness franchise described as an immersive training experience.

The boutique fitness studio launched in July with a 2,400 SF spot in the Wilshire and Fairfax neighborhood of Los Angeles. Rates range from $99 to $199 a month.

The workout regimen includes actual training practices from the boxing champion and punch combinations Mayweather has used on former opponents. You know the five-punch combo Mayweather unleashed on Conor McGregor to knock him out? Members will learn that.

There is an app to keep members engaged and track their heart rate and progress. And the studio also has a virtual reality program, where a member could wear virtual reality goggles and train or fight a virtual Mayweather Jr.

"We've taken the best aspects of traditional fitness and technology and placed it all in one platform," Mayweather Boxing + Fitness President of Franchise Development Don Michael said. "We've specifically developed our training regimen around Floyd's training."

There are 20 Mayweather Boxing + Fitness franchises in development in places such as Atlanta, Texas, North Carolina, Florida and California.

Franchise fee: $25K

Typical investment: $199K to $600K

Studio size: 2K SF to 4K SF

Venture X coworking franchise

While WeWork and Regus continue to own and operate coworking locations around the world, Florida-based Venture X is franchising the coworking trend for anyone with enough capital.

Part of the United Franchise Group, Venture X was founded in 2012 in Naples, Florida. Company leaders believe it is the first company to franchise the coworking/shared spaces concept. The company has partnered with Gensler Architects to build out spaces that will range from 10K SF to 50K SF. Monthly membership rates start at $250 a month for an individual and go to $8K a month for a small business of seven to 10 people.

"What separates us from WeWork and others is that they are geared for the millennials and young startups," United Franchise Group Executive Vice President Mark Patek said. "We want to attract a business-class clientele ... We're like a private country club."

Venture X currently has 10 locations, mostly in Texas and Florida. Twenty are opening soon and 50 are in development nationwide, Patek said.

Franchise fee: $80K

Typical investment: $600K to $1.2M

Office size: 10K SF to 50K SF

B Nutritious health food restaurant with meal prep

At his heaviest, Brian Nguyen, then 23 years old, weighed 240 pounds.

He hung out with friends and ate unhealthy meals. Nguyen said he felt tired all the time. He remembers looking in the mirror and taking a picture of himself.

"I knew I could be a better version of myself," Nguyen said. "From that day on, I just committed myself and got into nutrition and fitness."

Nguyen said he lost 80 pounds in a little over a year. Nguyen, now 30, is a muscular 160 pounds. 

Nguyen said his diet during that weight loss eventually inspired his restaurant B Nutritious, a health food quick-serve restaurant that also offers meal preparation. 

He has two locations: one in El Monte in Los Angeles County and another in Fountain Valley in Orange County.

The restaurant's menu offers a choice of healthy salads, grilled chicken bowls and a build-your-own meal, where a customer can choose a variety of carbohydrates, vegetables and protein. The restaurant also serves protein shakes.

What sets B Nutritious apart is the meal preparation plan. Three-day meal plans of nine meals cost $80. A seven-day meal plan with 21 prepared bowls costs $170.

"This is a very brand-new concept," Nguyen said of adding a meal prep component. "Health and fitness are on the rise and it's here to stay."

Franchise fee: $35K

Typical investment: $225K to $425K

Restaurant size: 1K SF to 1,500 SF