Five Scottish entrepreneurs are aiming to hit the £2m pre-tax profit mark in two years after striking a master franchise deal for Scotland from Energie Fitness Clubs.
The quintet, which signed the £250,000 agreement in March, now plans to "open or convert" 20 Energie fitness clubs through franchises over the next couple of years, plus 80 smaller operations around Scotland.
Their ambition is to make Energie the biggest brand name in fitness clubs in Scotland, and pull business away from the likes of entrepreneur-turned-TV star Duncan Bannatyne.
Ironically, Bannatyne reportedly rebuffed a £120m offer for his Leisure's fitness arm by Energie in 2005.
Jim Durie, the chief executive of Energie's Scottish operation, who was previously a principal officer with South Ayrshire Council's sport and leisure development department, said: "It was a simple case of if you can't buy them, take them on in the market place'. I mean this completely without animosity.
"The fact of the matter is that 95% of people who start franchises succeed, while only around 40% of people who start businesses succeed.
"The reason for this is that there is a proven business model that works and there is an enormous support mechanism behind it all.
"It's always in the master franchiser's interests for franchises to succeed."
Joining Durie in the investment are entrepreneurs David Weir, Matt Roberts, Janice Jones and Dr Andrew Weir, David's father, who a consultant neurophysiologist from Glasgow.
For many years David Weir was managing director of his own Scottish based marketing agency, and last year began looking for investment opportunities.
It was during this time that he and his oldest friend Matt Roberts discovered Energie Fitness and made enquires about owning a franchise.
In addition to investing in the master franchise, Weir and Roberts own Energie Fitness Club - a former Bannatyne club - in Dundee.
Weir said the club marks the beginning of Energie's expansion in Scotland.
The cost of Energie Fitness franchises vary from as little as £8500 to around £40,000. The low-cost franchise package involves small fitness outlets and a special programme for women.
David Weir, who is the Scottish group's marketing director, said: "We have only been up and running for a couple of months and already we have been bowled over by the number of enquiries.
"We have already had more than 160 approaches. We see this whole operation getting very big, very quickly."
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