Aligned Fitness Holdings has expanded into New Jersey through the acquisition of six Club Pilates studios, marking the company's first presence in the state and increasing its portfolio to 61 locations nationwide. The transaction brings a group of established studios under the Aligned Fitness umbrella and represents another step in the company's strategy of disciplined growth within the boutique fitness sector.
The acquired locations were previously owned and operated by experienced fitness entrepreneurs Gary Laden and Karen and Todd Spidare. Their efforts helped establish strong local memberships and operational foundations, creating an opportunity for Aligned Fitness to enter a new market with a network of mature studios already embedded within their communities.
Company leadership described the acquisition as an important milestone in Aligned Fitness' long-term expansion plans. Jon Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Aligned Fitness Holdings, noted that the New Jersey studios align with the company's focus on acquiring high-performing locations while preserving the quality and member experience associated with the Club Pilates brand. The move also reflects continued confidence in consumer demand for boutique fitness concepts centered on specialized instruction and community engagement.
The transaction received support from Eagle Merchant Partners, which has backed Aligned Fitness as it expands its footprint across the United States. Jake Rubenstein, Partner at Eagle Merchant Partners, pointed to the resilience of the boutique fitness category and the strength of the Club Pilates model as key factors behind the company's continued investment strategy.
As franchise organizations grow across multiple markets, maintaining visibility into customer relationships and operational performance becomes increasingly important. CRM Integrations available within Gorilla Dash demonstrate how franchise systems can connect customer information across locations, support consistent communication, and improve coordination among multi-unit operators. For expanding networks, centralized access to customer data can help strengthen engagement while supporting sustainable long-term growth.