Saltvault Franchise Cost, Revenue & Review 2026
Data from FDD filing
Analysis by FranchiseVerdict Research · Methodology
SALTVAULT is a boutique fitness franchise offering infrared-heated yoga and group fitness classes. Franchisees run the studios, managing instructors, class scheduling, and membership growth.
FranchiseVerdict summary · 2026
A SALTVAULT franchise requires a total initial investment of $424K – $1.2M, including a $60K franchise fee and an ongoing 7.0% royalty[2]. The 2025 FDD does not disclose unit-level revenue (no Item 19). FranchiseVerdict grade: D (Below average), an editorial assessment, not investment advice. Run a live ROI scan →
Data last verified · figures per the 2025 FDD issuance
Overview
- Investment
- $424K – $1.2M
- 77th pct Health & Fitn…
- Avg gross sales
- N/A
- Company-owned onlyProjection
- Royalty
- 7.0%
- 30th pct Health & Fitn…
- Units
- 3
- 15th pct Health & Fitn…
- SBA charge-off
- N/A
Quick verdict · Health & Fitness · color = vs category peers
Green = favorable by >10% vs Health & Fitness avg · No shading = within ±10% · Red = unfavorable by >10% · Source: FDD filings + SBA 7(a)
Data from public FDD filings and SBA records. Not financial advice. Methodology
Bottom line
- COSTTotal investment $424K – $1.2M including a $60K franchise fee, 7.0% ongoing royalty.
- RETURNSItem 19 is headed "Performance Projection" in the filing itself: the franchisor's affiliate operates three SALTVAULT studios in San Diego County (opened Dec 2019, Apr 2022 and Jun 2024) and projects from their combined results, not from franchisee results. Because the studios differ in size and in how long they have traded, the filing normalises per mat rather than per studio — $46,231 revenue per mat for 2024, or $924,621 for a typical 20-mat studio. We publish no revenue figure for this brand: a projection is not a record of what any outlet earned, and no franchised studio's performance is disclosed.
- RISKVerdict D (Below average), verdict score 29/100 (higher is better).
- FLAGAuditor disclosed a going-concern note, which flagged doubt about the franchisor's ability to continue operations. Verify against the latest FDD.
Item 1 · who you're contracting with
The Franchisor
Corporate structure & franchisor financials
- Legal entity
- SALTVAULT LLC
- Parent company
- SALT Hot Pilates LLC
- CEO title
- Founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Elizabeth "Betsy" Blumenfeld
- Founder active
- Yes
- Original founder still leading the business
- Incorporated in
- California
- HQ
- 2710 Via de la Valle, Suite B-110, Del Mar, California 92014
- Auditor
- Lavine, Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg, LLP
- Audited financials
- Franchisor revenue
- $0
- Most recent fiscal year
- ⚠ Going-concern note
- Disclosed in FDD 2025
- Auditor flagged doubt about continued operations. Verify against the latest FDD before deciding.
Overview
About
- CEO
- Elizabeth "Betsy" Blumenfeld
- Headquarters
- California
- Founded
- 2024
- FDD year
- 2025
- States available
- 1
Can you afford it, and what does the money buy?
Entry cost runs 44% above the typical health & fitness franchise.
Source: FDD 2025 · Items 5–7
Full Item 7 breakdown17 line items
Initial investment breakdown
| Line item | Low | High | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Feenot refundable | $60K | $60K | |
| Beginning Bundle Feenot refundable | $45K | $45K | |
| Website Development Feenot refundable | $1K | $1K | |
| Travel and Living Expenses While Training | $2K | $5K | |
| Real Estate/Lease (3 months + deposit) | $25K | $80K | |
| Build-Out/Leasehold Improvements | $150K | $600K | |
| Furniture, Fixtures and Related Supplies | $50K | $150K | |
| Signage | $10K | $25K | |
| Insurance (3 months) | $5K | $20K | |
| Utility Deposits | $0 | $1K | |
| Business License and Permits | $500 | $2K | |
| Computer System, including POS and Sound Systems | $25K | $90K | |
| Technology Fees (3 months)not refundable | $5K | $5K | |
| Professional Fees/Services | $1K | $15K | |
| Grand Opening Expenses | $5K | $30K | |
| Additional Funds - 3 months | $40K | $100K | |
| Development Fee (Area Development Agreement)not refundable | $165K | $165K | |
| Total initial investment | $589K | $1.4M |
Line items extracted from FDD Item 7. Ranges reflect the franchisor's stated low and high per line. Total is the sum of line-item lows / highs — actual costs may fall outside this range depending on market and build-out scope.
Item 7 · what it costs to open + operate
The Vitals
- Total investment
- $424K – $1.2M
- Bottom third — review vs category
- Liquid capital req'd
- $40K – $100K
- Bottom third — review vs category
- Franchise fee
- $60K – $60K
- Bottom third — review vs category
- Royalty
- 7.0%
- percentage · typical 6–8%
- Ad fund
- 2.0%
- typical 3–5%
- Total fee load
- 9.0%
- vs 9–13% typical
Ongoing fees · Item 6
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Royalty | 7.0% of gross sales |
| Marketing / ad fund | 2.0% of gross sales |
| Technology fee | $2K |
| Training fee | $800 |
| Transfer fee | $10K |
| Renewal fee | $7K |
| Total fee load | 9.0% of rev |
What do units actually make?
Source: FDD 2025 · Item 19
ROI & LBO modelsSingle-unit · 25-unit portfolio · editable
SALTVAULT did not disclose financial performance in FDD Item 19. The ROIC and return models require Item 19 revenue. Without it all inputs are estimates. You can still run the calculator with your own assumptions by entering an expected revenue figure.
Returns model · single-unit ROIC
What would one SALTVAULT unit return on the cash you put in?
Unlevered ROIC · per unit
Estimated return on your total franchise investment, before any debt financing.
24%
Below the 30–60% attractive-franchise band
These models are for research and scenario planning only. Not investment advice. Actual results depend on your specific location, management, and market conditions. Consult a franchise attorney and accountant before signing any franchise agreement.
Item 19 · Source: 2025 FDD
Financial Performance
Item 19 is headed "Performance Projection" in the filing itself: the franchisor's affiliate operates three SALTVAULT studios in San Diego County (opened Dec 2019, Apr 2022 and Jun 2024) and projects from their combined results, not from franchisee results. Because the studios differ in size and in how long they have traded, the filing normalises per mat rather than per studio — $46,231 revenue per mat for 2024, or $924,621 for a typical 20-mat studio. We publish no revenue figure for this brand: a projection is not a record of what any outlet earned, and no franchised studio's performance is disclosed.
Company-owned outlets only - not franchisee performance
A projection, not actual reported performance
- Item 19 type
- projection
- Sample size
- 3
- vs category median 12 · small
- Source filing
- FDD 2025
- The FDD edition these figures were read from
- Transparency
- 6 / 10
- vs category median 4 / 10 · above
Compared against 173 Health & Fitness brands
Operator outlook
What the numbers say
Data-driven interpretation of this brand's financial disclosures, fee structure, and system trajectory.
Fee burden
Total ongoing fee load of 9.0% (near the Health & Fitness average).
Disclosure
Item 19 reports projection rather than annual gross sales, so unit revenue is not directly comparable.
Multi-unit rate
Only 10% of franchisees own multiple units. Could indicate challenging economics or a young system where operators haven't had time to expand.
Source: FDD Item 19 financial performance representations and publicly filed FDD data. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Verify all figures with the franchisor and current franchisees before making any investment decision.
vs Health & Fitness averages
How Saltvault Compares
Is the system healthy?
Source: FDD 2025 · Item 20
Unit growth
Item 20 · unit dynamics
The Growth Chart
- Total units
- 3
- Opened
- 0
- Last reporting year
- Closed
- 0
- Terminated
- 0
- Franchisor ended the franchise (per Item 20)
- Non-renewed
- 0
- Term expired, not renewed (per Item 20)
- Turnover rate
- 0.0%
- Company-owned
- 3
- Corporate units in the system
- % franchised
- 0%
- vs corporate-owned
- Multi-unit owners
- 10.0%
3-year detail · Item 20
- Opened (3yr)
- 0
- Closed (3yr)
- 0
- Terminated (3yr)
- 0
- Non-renewed (3yr)
- 0
- Transfers (3yr)
- 0
- Reacquired (3yr)
- 0
- Franchisor bought back
- Projected new
- 2
- Franchisor's next-year forecast
Year-over-year franchised unit counts and net change. Source: FDD Item 20.
Item 12 · 1 state reported
The Territory Map
FDD Item 12 reports the state count, but the specific list isn't in our current data. The map will appear once we re-extract from the FDD or enough franchisee contacts are available.
1
states with franchisees (per FDD Item 12)
SBA loan performance
Government records
SBA Loan Data
Aggregated from SBA 7(a) and 504 loan disclosures, public data unique to FranchiseVerdict.
No SBA loan data available for this brand.
What could kill this investment?
The auditor flagged going-concern doubt (Item 21) — the single biggest risk here.
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA · FDD Items 3, 21
Risk analysis
FranchiseVerdict rating + FDD Items 3, 4, 8, 16, 21
Risk & Legal
SALTVAULT is an unproven micro-franchise with a financially unstable parent company, undisclosed financial performance data, and only 3 operating units — presenting extreme execution and liquidity risk.
Litigation (Item 3)
Item 3 states "No litigation is required to be disclosed in this Item."
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
None disclosed
Audited financials (Item 21)
Yes · Lavine, Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg, LLP⚠ Going-concern note flagged
Franchisor revenue (Item 21)
Franchisor entity revenue (not unit-level)
Supplier relationship · Items 8 & 16
- Franchisor sells you products: Yes
- Kickbacks from required suppliers: No
- Must buy proprietary products: Yes
- Restricted to system-approved products: Yes
- Can negotiate own supplier terms: No
Score breakdown · what drove the 29 / 100 verdict
- 01MINOROnly 3 units in system with unknown/stagnant growth trajectory suggests minimal proof of concept and scalability
- 02HIGHGoing Concern status is FALSE — indicates parent company financial instability or operational uncertainty
- 03MINORHigh investment range ($424k-$1.2M) relative to only 3 units suggests unproven unit economics and excessive capital requirements
- 04MINOR7% royalty on gross sales (not net) combined with high initial investment creates cash flow pressure in early years
- 05MINORMicro-franchise system (3 units) presents extreme execution risk — one failed unit = 33% system failure rate
Severity inferred from the FDD text · not a regulatory classification
What are you signing up for?
Ongoing fees run about 9.0% of sales (royalty + ad fund), before rent and labor.
Source: FDD 2025 · Items 11, 12, 17
FDD Items 12, 15, 17 · continued from Risk & Legal
Contract & Territory Detail
| Initial term | 10 years |
|---|---|
| Renewal term | 5 years |
| Allowed renewalsℹ | 2 |
| Territory type | protected |
| Protected territory | Yes |
| Exclusive territoryℹ | No |
| Territory radius | 2 mi |
| Territory population | 50,000 |
| Online sales rightsℹ | Restricted |
| Franchisor can compete | Yes |
| Hire a manager? | Allowed |
| Owner-operator | Optional |
| Non-compete (years)ℹ | 2 years |
| Non-compete (miles)ℹ | 10 mi |
| Right of first refusalℹ | Yes |
| Transfer requires consent | Yes |
| Termination notice | 30 days |
| Mandatory arbitration | Yes |
| Arbitration location | San Diego County, California |
| Jury trial waiver | Yes |
| Governing law | California |
| Litigation count | 0 |
View Item 3 litigation summary
Item 3 states "No litigation is required to be disclosed in this Item."
Items 10, 11
Training & Operations
- Classroom training
- 15 hrs
- On-the-job training
- 0 hrs
- Training location
- SALTVAULT University, Del Mar, California
- Ongoing training
- Required
- POS system
- Mindbody
- Operating tech stack
Items 5 & 11
Franchisor Support
Technology: Mindbody
Item 20 · call current owners
Franchisee Contacts
1 owners to call
Name · phone · city · state. Extracted from FDD Item 20
FDD download
SALTVAULT · FDD (2025) PDF
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a SALTVAULT franchise?
The total investment to open a SALTVAULT franchise ranges from $424K – $1.2M, with an initial franchise fee of $60K. This includes real estate, equipment, inventory, and working capital as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
What do SALTVAULT franchise owners earn?
SALTVAULT does not disclose average franchise owner earnings in their FDD Item 19. Not all franchisors are required to make financial performance representations. We recommend asking existing franchisees directly about their financial experience.
What is Item 19 in the SALTVAULT FDD?
The FDD section where a franchisor may disclose financial performance of its outlets. Disclosure is optional and formats vary; figures are typically gross sales, which is revenue before expenses, not profit. FranchiseVerdict extracts these figures directly from the SALTVAULT FDD and qualifies whose outlets they describe.
What is SALTVAULT's franchise failure rate?
SBA 7(a) loan charge-off data is not available for SALTVAULT (fewer than 10 loans on file). Charge-off rates are one way to gauge franchise risk, but not all franchise loans go through the SBA program. We recommend reviewing turnover and closure data in the FDD and speaking with current franchisees.
How many SALTVAULT franchise locations are there?
As of their most recent FDD filing, SALTVAULT has 3 total units in the United States, including 0 franchised units and 3 company-owned units.
Is SALTVAULT a good franchise to buy?
FranchiseVerdict rates SALTVAULT as a D-grade franchise with a verdict score of 29 out of 100 (higher is better), based on our analysis of investment costs, revenue data, SBA loan performance, and growth trends. Our rating is based solely on publicly available FDD and government data; we recommend speaking with current franchisees before making any investment decision. This is not investment advice.
Data sourced from public FDD filings and SBA 7(a) FOIA records. Not financial advice.
For franchisors
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Data extracted from public FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan disclosures (FOIA). This information is provided for research purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Verify all figures with the franchisor's current Franchise Disclosure Document before making any investment decision.