ATLANTA -- Six fitness franchises made Franchise Direct’s list of Top 100 Global Franchises for 2009. The first-annual list was released today and provides a glimpse into the state of the franchising industry in the current economic climate, the company said.

The six fitness franchises included on the list are:

• Anytime Fitness: No. 24
• Jazzercise: No. 44
• Snap Fitness: No. 56
• Gymboree: No. 66
• Fitness Together: No. 74
• The Little Gym International: No. 85

Franchise Direct compiled the list using objective, measurable criteria, including system size based on numbers of units, sales revenue for the system, stability and growth of the system, number of years in operation and market expansion, according to the company. Rankings were also based on the use of best practice for franchisee support and training, environmental policy and social responsibility.

Franchise Direct also gave consideration to the availability of financing to franchisees and whether the financing was direct, SBA approved or third party. Information for the list was gathered from franchise disclosure documents, e-mail surveys, telephone interviews and published industry sources, the company said.

Franchise Direct is an Internet portal for franchise and business opportunities that operates a suite of six multilingual sites targeting North America and Europe.

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