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Planet Fitness (PLNT)
NYSE:PLNT

Planet Fitness (PLNT) AI Stock Analysis

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PLNT

Planet Fitness

(NYSE:PLNT)

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Neutral 61 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$82.00
▲(9.68% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:03/10/26
The score reflects strong profitability and cash flow plus constructive 2026 guidance, offset by a major balance-sheet risk (persistent negative equity) and weak technicals (price well below major moving averages with bearish momentum). Valuation further limits upside given the high P/E and no stated dividend yield.
Positive Factors
High margins & cash generation
Sustained high margins and growing operating/free cash flow create durable internal funding for unit growth, remodels, equipment programs and share repurchases. Robust cash generation supports franchisee support and reinvestment even if external capital becomes costlier.
Scalable franchise growth & unit expansion
A capital-light franchised model and record club openings underpin recurring royalty streams and system scalability. Rapid unit growth and a large member base diversify revenue, improve brand scale economics and provide a steady platform for international expansion.
Strong brand & digital product momentum
High-paid-product penetration and improved digital conversion show durable mix uplift and retention levers. Brand recognition plus app-led acquisition/retention reduce marketing unit costs and support sustainable membership monetization and lifetime value growth.
Negative Factors
Persistent negative shareholders' equity
Negative equity weakens financial flexibility and complicates leverage metrics, potentially tightening covenant headroom and raising refinancing or capital-raising costs in stress. It makes the company more reliant on cash generation rather than balance-sheet strength for strategic moves.
Re-equipment cycle drags equipment segment
A pulled-forward or extended equipment cadence creates lumpy, lower-margin revenue that can depress segment profitability and near-term EBITDA. Reliance on re-equipment timing introduces unpredictability to revenue and margins over the next several quarters.
Higher interest expense after refinancing/ASR
Materially higher interest expense reduces free cash flow available for growth and makes capital allocation choices tighter. Combined with negative equity, higher fixed financing costs increase sensitivity to slower growth or margin pressure over the medium term.

Planet Fitness (PLNT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Planet Fitness Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPlanet Fitness, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, franchises and operates fitness centers under the Planet Fitness brand. It operates through Franchise, Corporate-Owned Stores, and Equipment segments. The Franchise segment is involved in franchising business in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, and Australia. The Corporate-Owned Stores segment operates corporate-owned stores in the United States and Canada. The Equipment segment engages in the sale of fitness equipment to franchisee-owned stores in the United States and Canada. As of December 31,2021, the company had 2,254 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, and Australia. Planet Fitness, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire.
How the Company Makes MoneyPlanet Fitness generates revenue primarily through its membership fees, which are structured as low monthly payments, often supplemented by annual fees. The company operates a franchise model, allowing it to expand its reach while generating franchise fees and ongoing royalties from franchisee operations. Additional revenue comes from the sale of fitness-related products and services, such as personal training sessions and branded merchandise. The brand also benefits from partnerships with various health and wellness organizations, which can enhance its market presence and attract new members. Seasonal promotions and referral programs further contribute to its earnings by incentivizing current members to bring in new clientele.

Planet Fitness Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Store Count by Type
Store Count by Type
Shows the number of different types of fitness centers, highlighting expansion strategy and market penetration, which are crucial for understanding growth potential and competitive positioning.
Chart InsightsFranchisee-owned locations are clearly the engine of unit growth, shifting Planet Fitness toward an increasingly asset‑light, recurring‑revenue model while corporate stores remain a much smaller, trimmed base after recent divestitures. That mix change mutes near‑term equipment revenue and EBITDA upside (management says the re‑equip lull and corporate club sales weigh on 2026), but it improves cash generation and supports buybacks; expect openings and equipment placements to be back‑loaded this year, making H1 weaker and H2 the critical period for momentum.
Data provided by:The Fly

Planet Fitness Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 24, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 07, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Overall the call conveyed strong operating and financial performance in 2025 with clear momentum across membership growth, product optimization, digital engagement, and international expansion. Management acknowledged near-term headwinds and conservative 2026 guidance driven by known structural items (equipment replacement cadence and the sale of corporate clubs) and transitory factors (January weather, brief attrition uptick). The company still projects positive growth in revenue, EBITDA and EPS for 2026, maintains a strong balance sheet, continues buybacks, and is investing in AI-enabled marketing and retention tools—indicating confidence in medium-term growth while managing a planned, lower-growth year.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Full-Year Financial Performance
2025 full-year results: same-club sales +6.7% YoY, revenue +12% YoY, adjusted EBITDA +13% YoY, and adjusted diluted EPS +19% YoY. Added ~1,100,000 net new members, opened 181 new clubs, finished the year with ~20.8M members and a global footprint of nearly 2,900 clubs.
Solid Q4 Results and Profitability
Q4 2025: system-wide same-club sales +5.7%; total revenue $376.3M vs $340.5M in Q4 2024 (≈+10.5%); adjusted EBITDA $146.3M with a 38.9% margin (vs $130.8M and 38.4% prior year). Full-year adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 41.7% from 41.3%.
Record Quarterly Openings and Unit Growth
Opened 104 clubs in Q4 (an all-time quarterly high) and 181 clubs in 2025 total ( >20% increase vs 2024 openings). International progress: surpassed 1,000,000 international members and now over 200 international clubs; pipeline expansion into Northern Mexico and progress in Spain.
Membership Product Momentum and Conversion Gains
High School Summer Pass: >3,700,000 teen participants and >19,000,000 workouts; converted 8.3% of teen participants to paying members (an improvement vs prior years). Black Card penetration reached a record 66.5% in Q4, up 260 basis points YoY—driving meaningful rate mix uplift.
Marketing, Brand Visibility and Customer Recognition
Major brand initiatives (e.g., presenting sponsor of Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin' Eve with strong visibility) and sustained 'We Are All Strong' campaign. Named USA Today's Best Customer Service Company for 2026 and highest-rated fitness brand on that list.
Digital Engagement and Product Innovation
Mobile app remains top download in health & fitness; early AI pilots (CRM, predictive churn, in-club training augmentation). Digital join flow conversion improved ~6% with 'manage your membership' functionality; rejoin rate finished Q4 at ~34.8% (mid-thirties).
Capital Allocation and Balance Sheet Strength
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities $607.0M (vs $529.5M prior year). Refinanced $400M of debt and upsized to $750M at a blended coupon of ~5.4%; executed a $350M accelerated share repurchase and returned nearly $800M to shareholders via buybacks over the last two years; plan to repurchase ≈$150M in 2026.
Format Optimization and Franchise Adoption
Format/equipment optimization traction: 95% of clubs opened or remodeled in 2025 chose an optimized format; nearly 80% of the system now features some version of an optimized layout or equipment offering—supporting joins, upgrades and retention.
Negative Updates
Lower Near-Term Growth Guidance (2026)
Company expects 2026 to be the lowest growth year in its three-year algorithm. 2026 guidance: system-wide same-club sales +4% to +5%; total revenue growth ≈+9%; adjusted EBITDA growth ≈+10%; adjusted net income +4% to +5%; adjusted diluted EPS +9% to +10%. Management cites this moderation as largely driven by known structural items rather than demand weakness.
Equipment Replacement Cycle and Segment Headwinds
An extended replacement cycle tied to the new growth model (rolled out 2024) reduces near-term equipment-related growth. Q4 equipment revenue increased 15.3% but cost of equipment revenue rose 12.1% YoY ($90.2M vs $80.5M). Company expects re-equipment to represent ~70% of equipment segment revenue in 2026 with an equipment margin rate of ~30%.
Sale of Corporate Clubs Impacting 2026 Comparables
Sale of eight corporate-owned clubs in California (Q3 2025) shifts revenue to the franchise segment and reduces 2026 year-over-year revenue and profit growth, contributing to the lower growth outlook for the year.
January Weather Disruption and Short-Term Attrition Bump
Late-January storms/cold weather impacted join trends across ~2,000 clubs and temporarily depressed join volumes. A slightly higher cancel/attrition rate was observed in January (post 'click-to-cancel' awareness), though management reports attrition normalized in February.
Higher Interest Expense After Refinancing and ASR
Net interest expense is expected to rise materially: 2026 net interest expense guidance ≈$114M. Management noted an approximate YoY increase in interest expense (~$29M) driven by refinancing into higher coupons (blended ~5.4%) and interest related to use of proceeds for the $350M ASR.
Rising Operating and Advertising Expenses
Q4 operating costs increased: club operations expense +7.1% YoY ($79.6M vs $74.4M), SG&A increased (adjusted SG&A $36.8M or 9.8% of revenue vs prior year 10.1%), and National Ad Fund expense +10.5% YoY ($21.4M vs $19.4M). A 1% shift from Local Ad Fund to National Ad Fund begins to impact in Q2 2026, centralizing spend and increasing NAF activity in H2.
Company Guidance
Planet Fitness guided 2026 system‑wide same‑club sales growth of 4–5% and 180–190 new club openings (with 150–160 equipment placements, weighted to the back half of the year and especially Q4); they expect re‑equipment sales to be ~70% of equipment segment revenue with an equipment margin of ~30%. The company projects total revenue growth of ~9%, adjusted EBITDA growth of ~10% (with adjusted EBITDA margin roughly flat year‑over‑year), adjusted net income up ~4–5%, and adjusted diluted EPS up ~9–10% based on ~80 million adjusted diluted weighted average shares outstanding (including the ASR) and a planned ~$150 million of share repurchases in 2026. They expect net interest expense of about $114 million, capital expenditures to increase 10–15%, and depreciation & amortization to rise ~10%; guidance assumes comps are roughly 75% rate / 25% volume, embeds a Black Card price increase taken after peak season, is weighted to the back half (lower comps in 1H, stronger in 2H), and reflects known near‑term headwinds (about a 300 bps top‑line and ~200 bps EBITDA drag from the re‑equip cycle and the sale of eight California corporate clubs).

Planet Fitness Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Operating results are strong with high margins and improving cash generation (TTM gross margin ~48.9%, operating margin ~31.3%, net margin ~16.0%; TTM operating cash flow ~$418M; TTM free cash flow ~$255M). However, the balance sheet is a major overhang due to persistently negative equity (TTM about -$483M), and recent top-line growth has slowed (TTM revenue growth ~2.8%).
Income Statement
84
Very Positive
PLNT shows strong profitability and a solid post-2020 recovery. Revenue rose from $587M (2021) to $1.18B (2024) and $1.32B in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), while margins remain high (TTM gross margin ~48.9%, operating margin ~31.3%, net margin ~16.0%). A key weakness is that the latest top-line growth rate is very modest (TTM revenue growth ~2.8%), suggesting growth is slowing versus prior years.
Balance Sheet
32
Negative
The balance sheet is the main concern: stockholders’ equity is negative in every period shown (TTM about -$483M), which weakens financial flexibility and makes leverage metrics less meaningful (debt-to-equity is negative due to negative equity). Total debt improved materially versus 2024 (TTM ~$443M vs. $2.58B in 2024), but with negative equity still in place, the capital structure remains a notable risk despite a large asset base (TTM total assets ~$3.10B).
Cash Flow
76
Positive
Cash generation is consistently positive and improving, supporting the business despite balance sheet constraints. Operating cash flow increased from $240M (2022) to $344M (2024) and $418M in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), and free cash flow rose to $255M in TTM with strong recent growth (TTM free cash flow growth ~25.6%). A weaker point is that free cash flow trails accounting earnings (TTM free cash flow is ~56.6% of net income), indicating conversion to cash is good but not exceptional.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.32B1.18B1.07B936.77M587.02M
Gross Profit1.09B615.02M557.59M474.03M315.87M
EBITDA570.17M507.11M443.53M374.09M195.97M
Net Income219.10M172.04M138.31M99.40M42.77M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.10B3.07B2.97B2.85B2.02B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments452.41M407.31M350.74M409.84M545.91M
Total Debt443.00M2.58B2.37B2.34B1.96B
Total Liabilities3.59B3.29B3.09B3.07B2.66B
Stockholders Equity-483.38M-215.38M-115.65M-199.01M-645.36M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow254.75M188.81M194.27M140.15M135.22M
Operating Cash Flow418.42M343.87M330.25M240.21M189.29M
Investing Cash Flow-160.16M-208.71M-339.99M-506.57M-90.92M
Financing Cash Flow-198.09M-105.00M-141.42M135.72M-10.25M

Planet Fitness Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price74.76
Price Trends
50DMA
92.21
Negative
100DMA
98.22
Negative
200DMA
101.53
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-4.63
Positive
RSI
27.29
Positive
STOCH
29.31
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For PLNT, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 74.76 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 83.92, below the 50-day MA of 92.21, and below the 200-day MA of 101.53, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -4.63 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 27.29 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 29.31 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for PLNT.

Planet Fitness Risk Analysis

Planet Fitness disclosed 50 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Planet Fitness reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Planet Fitness Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
65
Neutral
$5.71B15.5112.76%15.77%86.16%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
61
Neutral
$5.89B41.35-82.94%14.39%31.64%
52
Neutral
$1.58B-16.6012.90%-8.74%74.66%
47
Neutral
$281.61M-2.45-3.55%-111.90%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
PLNT
Planet Fitness
73.62
-21.89
-22.92%
PTON
Peloton Interactive
3.71
-3.34
-47.38%
XPOF
Xponential Fitness
5.75
-1.71
-22.92%
LTH
Life Time Group Holdings
26.30
-2.44
-8.49%

Planet Fitness Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesFinancial Disclosures
Planet Fitness Names Interim CFO Amid Finance Transition
Positive
Mar 9, 2026

On March 9, 2026, Planet Fitness announced that Chief Financial Officer Jay Stasz departed the company, with the departure stated not to stem from any disagreement over financial reporting, and that former CFO Tom Fitzgerald was appointed interim CFO effective the same day under a six‑month employment agreement. Fitzgerald, who previously guided Planet Fitness through significant growth and the COVID‑19 period, returns with deep institutional and multi‑unit retail experience as the board launches an executive search for a permanent finance chief, while the company reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance in a signal of continuity and stability for investors and franchise stakeholders.

Under the new arrangement, Fitzgerald will receive a monthly salary of $250,000, will not participate in the executive severance and change‑in‑control policy, and has agreed to non‑competition and non‑solicitation covenants during his tenure and for one year afterward. The company emphasized that there were no special arrangements behind his appointment and no related‑party transactions requiring disclosure, while outgoing CFO Stasz will be eligible for severance under the existing executive policy, collectively framing the transition as orderly and designed to maintain financial discipline during a critical strategic phase.

The most recent analyst rating on (PLNT) stock is a Buy with a $126.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Planet Fitness stock, see the PLNT Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Planet Fitness Adds Stephen Beard to Expanded Board
Positive
Feb 9, 2026

On February 9, 2026, Planet Fitness announced that it expanded its board of directors from eight to nine members and appointed Stephen “Steve” Beard as a Class II independent director, effective the same day. Beard, Chairman and CEO of Covista Inc., brings a background in transforming a large education company into America’s largest healthcare educator, along with prior leadership roles in executive search, corporate governance and regulated-industry transactions.

Beard will receive standard non-employee director compensation, including a pro-rated equity award of 368 restricted stock units that will vest by the next annual meeting or on the one-year anniversary of the grant. Planet Fitness leadership highlighted his experience in strategy, healthcare, talent development and M&A as complementary to the company’s focus on health and wellness, signaling an effort to bolster board expertise and support long-term growth and value creation for shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (PLNT) stock is a Buy with a $115.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Planet Fitness stock, see the PLNT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Planet Fitness highlights strong 2025 growth and expansion
Positive
Jan 12, 2026

Planet Fitness reported strong operational results for 2025, announcing on January 12, 2026 that year-end membership reached roughly 20.8 million and system-wide same club sales grew 6.7%. Over the year, the chain opened 181 new clubs, including 23 corporate-owned locations, and supplied equipment to 152 new franchised sites, underscoring continued expansion of its footprint to 2,896 locations worldwide. Management highlighted that franchisees boosted strength equipment to improve the member experience, the company signed a record number of participants to its High School Summer Pass Program, and it reached an agreement with franchisees to reallocate a portion of local advertising contributions to the national advertising fund for 2026, a move aimed at sharpening marketing leverage and supporting future membership growth. Planet Fitness plans to release detailed full-year 2025 financial results and its 2026 outlook on February 24, 2026, while using a January 13, 2026 fireside chat at the ICR Conference to discuss the operating metrics, reinforcing its message of solid performance and efforts to consolidate its leadership in the global fitness market.

The most recent analyst rating on (PLNT) stock is a Buy with a $125.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Planet Fitness stock, see the PLNT Stock Forecast page.

Stock BuybackPrivate Placements and Financing
Planet Fitness Completes $750M Refinancing Transaction
Positive
Dec 15, 2025

On December 15, 2025, Planet Fitness completed a refinancing transaction involving the issuance of $750 million in senior secured notes, which includes $400 million in Class A-2-I Notes and $350 million in Class A-2-II Notes, to refinance existing debt and fund general corporate purposes, including share repurchases. Additionally, the company entered into a $350 million accelerated share repurchase agreement with Citibank, N.A., as part of a $500 million share repurchase authorization, which will initially provide approximately 2.5 million shares of Class A common stock, with final settlement expected in the first quarter of 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (PLNT) stock is a Buy with a $135.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Planet Fitness stock, see the PLNT Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Mar 10, 2026