Gym chain Anytime Fitness has retained its title as the world’s leading franchise as the US company seeks to crank up international growth, particularly in the UK market.

For the second year running, Anytime Fitness – which recently launched its 3,000th site in Stroud – has been ranked number one on Entrepreneur magazine’s annual top global franchise list. The gym franchise topped a list of 500 companies by scoring highly based on system size, growth rate and financial strength and stability.

Much of Anytime’s recent growth has been driven by the UK market, where the company recently sold its 300th territory, just six years after launching. There are currently 88 clubs trading across Britain, with a further 107 in the opening and negotiating pipeline. Anytime Fitness UK general manager Brett Edwards is aiming for ambitious growth and hopes to have 550 clubs open by 2020.

Chuck Runyon, CEO and co-founder of Anytime Fitness, said: “This designation as #1 Top Global Franchise is a credit to our international franchise development team and our fabulous group of international master franchisees.

“Whether it’s the UK, China or Japan, our franchisees are providing our members with personal service that gets real results. That personal touch and high level of engagement is what differentiates Anytime Fitness from many other gyms and what has strengthened and grown our brand worldwide.”