Fitness Park Secures €280m Financing from Carlyle for Expansion
Deal News | May 15, 2025 | The Carlyle Group
Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, announced that its Global Credit platform has provided a €280 million financing package to Fitness Park, a leading gym chain and the largest full-service best-price operator of fitness clubs in France. The financing aims to support Fitness Park's long-term growth strategy, particularly through mergers and acquisitions in France and internationally, as well as enhancing its customer offerings. Despite this significant investment, Fitness Park remains majority-owned by its founding members with minority stakes held by Future French Champions and Momentum Invest. The company operates over 350 clubs across France, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, boasting 1.3 million members with a strong reputation in the fitness industry known for affordability and quality services. This transaction underscores Carlyle's commitment to flexible capital solutions that support the growth trajectories of founder-owned businesses. Fitness Park's CEO, Gatan Dubuisson, expressed optimism that Carlyle's expertise and investment will help capitalize on the fragmented fitness market in France. Meanwhile, Carlyle's Global Credit division, managing $199 billion in assets, continues to actively seek strategic investments throughout Europe.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Fitness and Leisure
Geography
- France – Fitness Park, primarily operating in France, is the main subject of the investment news.
- Global – Carlyle Group is a global investment firm with operations spanning across multiple continents.
Industry
- Private Equity – Carlyle Group is a significant player in the global private equity sector, providing financing and acquiring businesses.
- Fitness and Leisure – The article focuses on Fitness Park, a major operator of fitness clubs, which is expanding its presence in the fitness and leisure industry.
Financials
- €280 million – The financing package provided by Carlyle to Fitness Park.
- $199 billion – Assets under management by Carlyle's Global Credit platform as of March 31, 2025.
- $453 billion – Total assets under management by Carlyle as of March 31, 2025.
- €400 million – Revenue achieved by Fitness Park in 2024.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Carlyle Group | Financier | Company | A global investment firm that provided a €280 million financing package to Fitness Park. |
| Fitness Park | Target Company | Company | The largest full-service best-price operator of fitness clubs in France receiving financing for expansion. |
| Future French Champions | Minority Shareholder | Company | A minority shareholder in Fitness Park. |
| Momentum Invest | Minority Shareholder | Company | Another minority shareholder in Fitness Park. |
| Otto Alaoui | Managing Director | Person | Managing Director in Carlyle Global Credit, expressing support for the transaction. |
| Gatan Dubuisson | CEO | Person | CEO of Fitness Park, commenting on the benefits of the Carlyle investment. |