#082 Quality Over Quantity: Building a Franchise That Can Actually Scale with Anthony Badalian

Built For This Podcast, with Carly Pepin

September 17, 2026 by

Carly Pepin

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In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Anthony Badalian, President and COO of STRIDE Fitness, to explore what it takes to reinvent a fitness brand while building a franchise model designed for sustainable growth.

Anthony shares how STRIDE has evolved from a primarily treadmill-based concept into a broader HIIT and recovery experience, and why staying relevant means paying attention to where customers and the fitness industry are heading next.

Carly and Anthony also explore STRIDE's "franchisee first" philosophy, testing new ideas at its Huntington Beach flagship before rolling them out across the network, and Anthony's three-part filter for decisions: Does it drive revenue? Is it duplicatable? Is there a proven process behind it?

They also discuss navigating change, developing great people, balancing data with human connection, and why opening fewer high-quality locations can ultimately create a stronger franchise system.

Key Takeaways

Slow Down Before You Scale

STRIDE uses its flagship location as a "test kitchen," giving the team an opportunity to test, measure, and refine ideas before asking franchisees to invest in them. Moving quickly matters, but proving something works before scaling it matters more.

Put the Franchisee at the Center of the Decision

Anthony continually returns to a "franchisee first" philosophy. New partnerships, processes, and changes are considered through the lens of the people who have invested their own money into the brand because successful franchisees are essential to a successful franchise system.

Build for Where the Market Is Going

Rather than protecting what STRIDE had always been, the team looked at member behavior, attrition, competitors, industry research, and broader fitness trends. Those insights helped evolve the model around strength, cardio, recovery, and a more complete wellness experience.

About Anthony Badalian

Anthony Badalian is the President and Chief Operating Officer of STRIDE Fitness, bringing nearly two decades of experience in the fitness industry and more than a decade in executive leadership.

Throughout his career, Anthony has held leadership roles with Rumble Boxing, Club Pilates, and 24 Hour Fitness, specializing in franchise growth, sales strategy, team development, and scalable operations.

At STRIDE Fitness, he oversees national operations and brand expansion while helping evolve the brand through high-energy workouts, recovery, technology, and a strong community-focused experience.

Memorable Quotes
"You've got to be 10 steps ahead. Otherwise, your members are going to be looking for other opportunities."
"Successful businesses start with people that are taken care of and successful people."
"It's important to take your time and really make sure that every location you open, you open with integrity, you open with quality, and you do right by the franchisee."

Anthony Badalian