A Scalable System for Franchise Growth: How AI Positioned SWEAT440 for Its Next Chapter

Executive Summary SWEAT440 AI Case Study

SWEAT440 is a 25-location fitness franchise with more than 120 additional studios in development. The brand runs a front deskless model driven by a forty-minute, four-station circuit and new classes that enter every ten minutes. Instructors stay on the training floor, so all member support must happen off the floor at a rapid pace. This structure created a clear need for automation and AI to absorb routine questions, reduce call volume, and deliver uniform responses across the network. SWEAT440 evaluated six AI vendors before selecting Replify. Replify’s focus on fitness and wellness, its simple setup, and its ability to support a fast turnover model made it the best fit for a franchise system built for scale.

AI Results at SWEAT440

In the first six weeks, AI handled five thousand calls and saved 178 staff hours. Support costs fell by roughly 53% once AI absorbed routine questions and reduced dependence on the contracted call center.

A Scalable System for Franchise Growth

With a pipeline of more than 120 new locations, SWEAT440 needed a dependable support layer to match its pace of expansion. AI delivered rapid responses across all channels, provided consistent answers for every studio, and allowed instructors to remain fully focused on coaching. The result was a support system that improved member care, reduced franchise operating pressure, and strengthened the foundation for future growth.

Ready to see results like these at your health clubs, fitness studios, or wellness locations? Schedule a personalized Replify demo.

About SWEAT440

SWEAT440 is a twenty-five-location fitness franchisor with more than 12,500 members and 120 studios in development across the United States. The brand stands out for strong unit economics, a fast expansion pipeline, and a model that keeps staffing lean while member volume stays high. Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer Matt Miller shaped the concept to operate efficiently at scale and to give franchise owners a system with clear structure and predictable operations.

The workout itself drives the demand. SWEAT440 uses a four-station, forty-minute circuit built on HIIT, cross-training, and strength intervals. New classes start every ten minutes. Members move through each station in a structured flow. This format removes barriers for beginners, challenges advanced athletes, and keeps the studio full throughout the day. Coaches stay fully engaged with every group, which creates a consistent experience and a high level of instruction.

This design also defines the operational model. SWEAT440 runs without a front desk. Instructors stay on the training floor and focus on coaching. All member support happens off the floor, which makes fast, accurate, centralized responses essential for both members and franchise owners. The approach aligns with the brand’s reputation for efficiency, high energy classes, and a five-star mobile app with thousands of reviews.

Replify now supports this structure by delivering uniform member support across the entire network while coaches remain focused on the in-studio experience that defines the brand.

Replify’s AI for Leading Fitness and Wellness Businesses 

Replify AI provides round-the-clock support for gyms, studios, and wellness operators through AI Sales and AI Customer Service tools. The system answers member questions, resolves routine requests, captures leads, and runs follow ups across phone, text, chat, and email. Operators use Replify to reduce call volume, improve response times, and free staff for in-person service.

Replify works across all locations in a franchise and uses a shared knowledge base to keep responses accurate and consistent. The platform handles common questions about hours, schedules, policies, and membership details, while forwarding complex issues to staff. Replify also identifies leads, books appointments, and supports outbound communication once CRM connections are active.

Fitness operators choose Replify because setup is simple, updates require no technical training, and support accuracy improves as the system learns from each location. Brands like Gold’s Gym, UFC Gyms, Zoom Tan, Club 24 Concept Gyms, Arena Sports, and many others use Replify as the first touchpoint for member communication.

The Sales and Customer Service Challenge at Class Focused Fitness Brands 

Class-focused fitness brands run on tight schedules, high member traffic, and instructor-led coaching that leaves no room for front desk distractions. SWEAT440 operates a four-station, forty-minute circuit with new groups entering every ten minutes, which requires instructors to stay on the training floor at all times. This model delivers a strong workout experience, but it creates a support challenge. Phones cannot ring inside the studio, and staff cannot step away mid-session.

As SWEAT440 expanded to twenty-five locations with more than one hundred twenty in development, the volume of routine questions increased across the network. Members needed quick answers about schedules, policies, waitlists, class access, and membership details. Franchisees relied on an offsite call center, but costs grew and consistency across studios varied. The system worked until scale exposed its limits.

SWEAT440 required a support solution that aligned with its fast turnover structure, kept instructors fully focused on coaching, and delivered accurate responses across every location in the franchise system. This need set the stage for automation and AI.

Why SWEAT440 Identified AI as the Only Scalable Path

SWEAT440’s model leaves no capacity for in-studio call handling. Instructors coach every interval, new groups enter class every ten minutes, and member flow never pauses. As the franchise expanded, the volume of routine questions increased and the call center supporting the network absorbed thousands of inquiries each month. Costs rose, and multi-unit franchisees felt the impact as their operations grew.

The leadership team recognized that manual support would not scale with a network that already included twenty-five locations and more than one hundred twenty in development. They needed a way to absorb repetitive questions, reduce dependence on the contracted call center, and deliver consistent responses across all markets. Automation and AI aligned with these needs. AI could provide fast answers, manage routine requests, and free staff for in-studio care without adding labor inside the studios.

SWEAT440 evaluated six AI vendors before selecting Replify. Replify stood out for its focus on fitness and wellness, its ability to match the tone and style SWEAT440 expected, and its simple setup. The platform supported the brand’s fast turnover model and gave franchisees a unified system for member communication.

Onboarding AI Across the SWEAT440 Network

SWEAT440 approached onboarding with a clear objective. Build a centralized support system that worked across every studio and aligned with a front-deskless model. The process centered on three steps. Creating the knowledge base, connecting phone systems, and establishing reliable handoff paths for issues that required human support.

Building the AI Knowledge Base

The knowledge base became the foundation for AI accuracy across the franchise. The SWEAT440 team supplied location details, schedules, class information, policies, and membership guidance. Replify matched these inputs to fitness-specific answer structures so the system responded in a way that felt natural for the brand. Once the core content was in place, updates required no technical training. The team could adjust information as needed without slowing studio operations.

Connecting Phone Systems and Handoff Paths to Replify’s AI

SWEAT440 used Zoom for phone routing. Replify connected to this system so AI could answer calls instantly, resolve routine requests, and forward complex issues to staff when needed. The connection supported clean handoffs for billing questions, class access issues, or concerns that required a manager. This structure allowed instructors to remain on the training floor without interruption while members received quick answers.

Set-up Support From a Dedicated Account Executive at Replify

Throughout onboarding, SWEAT440 worked directly with Tyler Heagle, their dedicated account executive at Replify. Tyler guided the setup, clarified best practices for high-volume class focused operators, and helped the team refine knowledge base content before launch. His support kept the process efficient and gave SWEAT440 confidence that the system was ready for network-wide deployment.

The result was a fast and stable rollout. AI support extended across all locations with minimal operational lift, giving SWEAT440 immediate coverage for routine questions while instructors stayed fully focused on coaching.

AI Growth and Scale Opportunities at SWEAT440

Once SWEAT440 deployed AI for inbound coverage, the corporate team identified new operational areas where automated calling could add value for both members and franchisees. The front deskless model created natural points where AI could support communication without disrupting coaching or class flow. These points included missed class follow up, membership questions, waitlist updates, schedule adjustments, and early engagement for new members.

Inbound Coverage Beyond Routine Questions

After handling routine inquiries, AI began absorbing calls related to class access, late arrivals, lost items, trial information, and membership guidance. This reduced the load on the contracted call center and gave instructors space to remain fully focused on coaching. With each resolved question, AI improved consistency across the network and reduced friction for members.

Outbound Opportunity for Class Focused Operators

As SWEAT440 moves toward CRM integration, outbound calling becomes a major opportunity. Class-focused operators often lose revenue when trial members do not convert, when new members skip early sessions, or when members miss key renewal periods. Automated calling can support these stages with rapid outreach and simple corrective actions such as class reminders, renewal notices, and win-back attempts.

High Value Use Cases for Gyms With Fast Turnover Models

SWEAT440 identified several use cases that align with operational needs in class-based fitness.

• New member onboarding calls to welcome members and clarify schedules
• No show follow-up for trial users or first workouts
• Contract and billing reminders once CRM data connects
• Waitlist promotions when spots open
• Freeze or cancellation guidance before members contact support
• Early engagement attempts to improve retention in the first sixty days

Preparing for Systemwide Scale

With more than one hundred twenty locations in development, outbound calling will help SWEAT440 maintain high engagement at a stage when studios open in rapid succession. AI provides a consistent script, a uniform tone, and a repeatable process across all markets. This allows corporate support to scale without adding labor inside studios or increasing reliance on contractors.

The combination of inbound and outbound AI support gives SWEAT440 a full communication layer that matches its fast turnover structure and strengthens member experience across the franchise network.

Key Results of Replify AI at SWEAT440

Replify delivered measurable gains for SWEAT440 within the first six weeks. AI support reduced volume on the contracted call center, improved consistency across all studios, and gave instructors more time for in-studio care. The results show clear operational, financial, and member experience improvements that align with the needs of a fast turnover, front deskless model.

Quantitative Results from Adopting AI at SWEAT440

• Over 5,000 calls handled across the network.
• 178 staff hours saved through automation of routine questions.
• Support costs reduced by roughly 53%.

AI’s Qualitative Results at SWEAT440

• Instructors remained focused on coaching with fewer disruptions.
• Members received quick, consistent answers across all studios.
• Franchisees experienced less pressure on the call center and clearer visibility into member needs.
• The corporate team gained a unified support layer that matched the brand’s pace and structure.
• A more stable communication process prepared the network for rapid expansion.

How AI Positioned SWEAT440 for Continued Franchise Growth

Replify provided SWEAT440 with a support system that matched the pace of its front deskless, class-focused model and the scale of a franchise network with more than one hundred twenty new locations in development. By handling routine questions, reducing support costs, and delivering consistent answers across all studios, AI freed instructors to focus on coaching and gave franchisees a more stable operational foundation. 

The system improved member support, lowered pressure on the call center, and created a structure that can expand with every new studio the brand opens. With AI in place, SWEAT440 enters its next phase of growth with stronger efficiency, clearer visibility into member needs, and a unified support layer that strengthens the overall franchise system.

Ready to see results like these at your health clubs, fitness studios, or wellness locations? Schedule a personalized Replify demo.