A San Diego-based health club chain said it acquired Bailey’s Health & Fitness, a family-owned company founded in Jacksonville 40 years ago that now has 16 locations.
Chuze Fitness is also a family-owned company with 44 locations in California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.
The Bailey’s clubs will keep their name and branding until Chuze is able to roll out remodels and other business model changes, a spokesperson for Chuze said in an email.
Chuze CEO Cory Brightwell said in a news release he has known Bailey’s Health owners David and Darryl Bailey for eight years.
“We shared a philosophy of investing in our team and culture to create the best member experience. We are thrilled to have entered into a mutually beneficial partnership and look forward to integrating our teams and continuing to bring the best fitness experience to the Jacksonville community,” he said.
Darryl and David’s late brother, Don, opened the first Bailey’s gym in Arlington in 1981.
The company’s 16 locations are mainly in Northeast Florida but it also operates gyms in Gainesville and in Brunswick, Georgia.
David Bailey said in the news release that Chuze shares the same values Don had when he started the business.
“After serving Jacksonville and the surrounding communities for over 40 years, the decision to sell was very difficult,” he said.
“Chuze is a company that values its employees and engages in the communities it serves. We are excited to see the investment and growth plans that Chuze has for the area,” he said.
Terms of the deal were not announced.