Franchising

The first Gravity Vault opened its doors for climbers in 2005, in Upper Saddle River, NJ. We spent years refining our business model, opening additional facilities, and diversifying our program structure to share our love of climbing with the greater community. Operating these facilities has given us great joy and we have slowly developed a formula for success. In 2013, we were ready to share our successful business model with like-minded entrepreneurs through franchising, and in February 2014, The Gravity Vault’s first franchise opened in Middletown, New Jersey, marking a new era for the climbing industry. 

The Gravity Vault operates under the idea that anyone in the world can learn how to be a rock climber, whether they are 5 or 75 years old. We operate facilities that offer a welcoming environment with varied terrain and routes providing something that fits all skill levels from a first-time climber to an accomplished traditional climber. 

Every year we introduce the sport of rock climbing to thousands of new people, and bring our well-rounded programming of classes and lessons to new communities. The Gravity Vault team is excited about the future and can’t wait to share our passion for climbing with you and the world, one gym at a time. 

Since opening our first facility in 2005 we have honed our programming and facility operations into a business model we are excited to share through franchising. Here are some common questions and answers we are often asked by prospective franchisees.

What sort of space do you look for to build these gyms?

We open facilities in buildings with a minimum of 12,000 sq. ft., with 35-40 ft. ceiling height covering a portion of the space. Finding the right location is the 1st critical part of operating a successful Gravity Vault. Throughout the process, our team will be beside you for every step of the location search.

What does it cost to build out one of these gyms?

The initial startup costs range from $1,747,150 - $3,304,300 which includes the initial franchise fee for a ten year term. The included Franchise fee of $79,500 gives you access to industry leading discounts, business plan and pro-forma estimates for financing, and covers the initial training and guidance from our team, as we take you through the entire process from signing a franchise agreement to building out and opening your facility.

What about ongoing fees?

The ongoing Royalty Fee is 6.5% and there is a Brand Development Fund Contribution of 1%. Both fees are calculated from gross sales and are paid weekly.

How much money can I make?

Making money is a key factor in your decision to join our team. How profitable each franchise becomes will depend on its specific location and how successful the owners are in implementing and following The Gravity Vault’s system. We offer financial performance representation in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document which will be shared with qualified candidates as guidance and benchmarking for how Gravity Vault facilities perform.

How much money do I need to be considered a qualified candidate?

We look for candidates who have at least $350,000 in liquid capital available for investing and a net worth of at least $750,000. Most of our franchisees will finance a portion of the initial start-up costs to build a facility. Rock Climbing Franchising LLC does not offer financing directly to our franchisees, but we do work with 3rd party lenders, and provide financial guidance to make the loan process as seamless as possible.

Do I have to be a rock climber?

No! The Gravity Vault does not limit our business opportunity solely to experienced climbers. If you are open to learn, we are open to teach. It’s more important to have a motivated and qualified owner who will foster a welcoming environment where we invite anyone who wants to climb to try it.

Bringing together over 30 years of experience, the Rock Climbing Franchising team has put together a training program which prepares our franchisees for success. The program is designed to teach our operators the ins and outs of owning and operating a Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gym. Through both classroom time and hands on learning we cover topics including: business strategy, personnel, rock climbing, computers, customer satisfaction, safety, operations, finance, marketing, and more. 

Throughout the build out process and opening of your facility, you will have the guidance and support of our experienced team with you every step of the way. Utilizing site visits, progress reports, and our Operations Manual, our team will join you in finding the answer to any question that comes up. After you open your facility, we have a system in place to support you by providing marketing materials, programming support tools,
and more. We work hard to provide the personalized support you need as you build and operate your business.

Knowledge – Experience – Leadership – Partnerships

Starting a business can be daunting, especially one as complex as an indoor rock climbing facility. Our industry proven track record takes the guesswork out of the process. Our market knowledge and experience can be the difference between success and failure in your operation. By using our guidance, business plan, and pro-forma, your new franchise will immediately gain validity with lenders and landlords. 

Utilizing preferred vendors and our industry partnerships can save you thousands on upfront costs. The Gravity Vault’s strong leadership has created a proven model for success. All of this adds up to one thing, VALUE. Our value proposition is the best in the industry and we look forward to working together with you to make it even more successful!

Build-Out Process

Building an indoor rock gym can be complicated, why do it alone. With Gravity Vault, once you join as a franchisee, you are part of the team! From site selection to securing funding, from choosing a wall builder to designing the facility, from ordering your opening inventory to preparing to train your staff, our team will be there supporting you every step
of the way. 

What are the next few steps?

1. Contact us by filling out the web form.
2. Speak with us directly so we can learn 
more about each other.
3. GET QUALIFIED, by completing our financial application.
4. Qualified candidates will be selected and given the opportunity for further due diligence with our FDD (Financial Disclosure Document) and then invited to our facilities for a Discovery Day to meet us in person and see firsthand what The Gravity Vault is all about.

Once you have decided that this is the right business opportunity for you, we welcome you to join The Gravity Vault team.