Curves Loses Stamina, Closing Fitness Clubs

WSJ:

Curves International Inc., whose 30-minute workout for women once made it among the world’s fastest-growing franchises, seems to be running out of steam.

Over the past three years its U.S. franchisees have been closing outlets at a rapid rate, shrinking the chain by about a third: to 5,208 U.S. sites at the end of last year from 7,748 at the beginning of 2007, according to a recent franchise disclosure document the company filed with state regulators. More than 1,000 Curves vanished across the country in 2009, while just 35 new locations opened.