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Macpherson Kelley has assisted Planet Fitness, Inc. one of the largest and fastest-growing fitness centre franchises in the United States, to establish a presence in Australia.

Macpherson Kelley advised the company on intellectual property matters, corporate structuring and Australian tax law as it established a joint venture with leading Australian fitness operator, Dallas Rosekelly’s Galactic Fitness Pty.

Special Counsel Mark Metzeling led the team working with Planet Fitness.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to help bring a new and successful brand to Australia and lay the groundwork for their expansion,” he said.

The Macpherson Kelley team also included Principal Lawyer Mark Dillman, Special Counsel Danh Nguyen, and Lawyer Mitchell Willocks.

“Macpherson Kelley’s expertise and practical advice were invaluable to the company coming to Australia,” Planet Fitness Corporate Counsel Jason Bauman said.

Planet Fitness said in a statement it had signed an agreement to bring at least 35 Planet Fitness locations to Australia over the next several years.

“Australia represents a unique opportunity to grow in a market that combines a favorable operational environment, consumer affinity for US brands, a desirable competitive landscape and an opportunity to develop a large fleet of clubs,” Planet Fitness Chief Development Officer Ray Miolla said.

The first Planet Fitness locations are at Tuggerah and Gosford on the Central Coast of New South Wales.

Planet Fitness offers a high-quality fitness experience for extremely affordable prices, including a variety of benefits such as a welcoming, judgment free environment, brand name cardio and strength equipment, fully equipped locker rooms, and is always staffed. It has more than 14.1 million members with clubs located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico.