Retro Fitness has signed a multi-unit development agreement with Laddi Singh, a veteran restaurant franchisee who operates more than 50 Popeyes, Burger King and Arby’s locations, marking his first move into the fitness franchise business. The high-value, low-price gym brand announced the deal on Wednesday, with Singh set to open his first club on Long Island this year and more to follow across New York.
Singh’s restaurant portfolio spans New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and his track record includes more than 30 ground-up development projects along with honors such as Popeyes Franchisee of the Year. That development experience, built around site selection, construction and real estate, is what he brings to a category he has not operated in before.
Singh framed the move as a deliberate diversification.
“As someone who has spent years building and growing franchise businesses in QSR, I was looking to diversify with my next investment,” Laddi Singh, a veteran restaurant franchisee, said in the announcement. “Retro Fitness immediately stood out because of its high-value, low-price model, experienced management team and comprehensive support for franchisees. It combines a business I’m excited about with a model I believe in, and I’m looking forward to introducing the brand to more communities across New York.”
The signing reflects a broader pattern of experienced multi-brand operators moving into fitness, drawn by models that promise low labor and high margins. For Retro Fitness, landing an operator of Singh’s scale doubles as a proof point it can show other prospects.
Company leaders cast the deal as validation from a sophisticated buyer.
“Laddi’s investment reflects the confidence sophisticated franchisees have in the Retro Fitness brand,” Andrew Alfano, CEO of Retro Fitness, said in the announcement. “Coming from hospitality myself, I understand why an experienced QSR operator would see the opportunity to diversify into high-value, low-price fitness.”
Retro Fitness, which has operated for 20 years, supports franchisees through its No Sweat Franchise Program, a turnkey system that spans site selection, construction, marketing and accounting. That support structure is central to its pitch, echoing a wider franchise playbook where strong operator support and repeatable systems drive scaling and experienced franchisees weigh unit economics and brand confidence before signing.