Is The Bar Method or Vanguard Key Clubs cheaper to open?

The Bar Method costs $240,012–$491,082 and Vanguard Key Clubs costs $207,350–$527,700 to open (FDD Item 7). Vanguard Key Clubs has the lower entry cost.

Which is the better franchise, The Bar Method or Vanguard Key Clubs?

FranchiseVerdict grades The Bar Method B and Vanguard Key Clubs C, from FDD Items 5–7, 19–21 and SBA loan performance. See the full side-by-side above.

The Bar Method vs Vanguard Key Clubs

Franchise Comparison 2026

Both The Bar Method and Vanguard Key Clubs are health & fitness franchises. The Bar Method requires an investment of $240K – $491K while Vanguard Key Clubs requires $207K – $528K. The Bar Method discloses average revenue of $423K; Vanguard Key Clubs makes no financial performance representation in its Item 19, which is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule. The Bar Method has SBA lending data on file with a 20.6% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates The Bar Method B (Above average) and Vanguard Key Clubs C (Average).

Metric	The Bar Method	Vanguard Key Clubs
Verdict Grade	BAbove average	CAverage
Investment Range	$240K – $491K	$207K – $528K
Franchise Fee	$43K	$40K
Royalty Rate	6.0%	5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)	$423K	N/ANo Item 19 representation
SBA Charge-Off Rate	20.6% (51 loans)	N/A
Total Units	77	6
Unit Growth (YoY)	+4 units	+0 units
Year Began Franchising	2021	2024
FDD Year	2026	2025