Geared Up Issue 2 2015 | Page 6

member news PF Michigan Group Donates to Food Bank and Celebrates Expansion P F Michigan Group owners, Bryan and Laura Rief, and all of their PF club managers participated in a volunteer event at the Gleaners Food Bank in Detroit, July 2. Before the volunteer event, the Riefs had asked regional managers for input on ideas for a volunteer project to give back to the local community. The suggestion was made to volunteer at the food bank, which distributes more than 45 million pounds of high-quality, nutritional food to those in need in southeastern Michigan each year, including children, who make up 40 percent of the recipients. “We as owners, and as a company, think that our ability to give back in the areas we operate in is a very important element in running our business,”said Bryan Rief.“We were very grateful to be able to participate.” The Planet Fitness group worked on a specific project at the Gleaners’ distribution facility, helping pack apples and vegetables to be shipped out to shelters and families in need. In the three hours the PF Michigan Group team was there, they packed 4,061 pounds of food! “I think our managers felt really good about participating, like we do, and I think everybody came away from it feeling pretty good,” continued Rief.“We certainly look forward to participating at Gleaners again or coming up with other projects in Detroit where we can volunteer our time.” 2015 Issue 2 | GearedUp PF Michigan Group celebrates its 21st club opening at the Shelby Township club ribbon-cutting ceremony. 4 PF Michigan club managers and owners volunteered at the Gleaners Food Bank and helped pack 4,061 pounds of food July 2. Less than two weeks later, PF Michigan Group celebrated the grand opening of its newest club located in Shelby Township, Michigan, July 13. This was a tremendous occasion as this event marked PF Michigan Group’s 21st club opening. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to commemorate this expansion and welcome members to the new location. The Township’s Chamber of Commerce attended the event along with the Township Supervisor, Rick Stathakis. The Riefs and partner Pete Hopkins are excited about the expansion and being able to bring the PF name to the Shelby Township community. When asked what he believed to be the driving force behind their company’s success and growth, Bryan Rief credited the Planet Fitness brand and company as a whole. “It’s a combination of things. I think it is the Planet Fitness model itself – with the Judgement Free Zone®, low cost memberships and a market that has really embraced Planet Fitness in general. Also, the fair amount of good expansion opportunities that still exist in our ADA,”he said. To show their gratitude to the initial members of the new club, PF Michigan offered significantly reduced enrollment for memberships via the dollar down deal during the grand opening. The club’s managers also provided tours to the attendees, allowing them to try some of the black card amenities such as the massage chairs and hydro beds. The 26,000-square-foot club features over 100 pieces of cardio, a PF360 area and a PF spa area for Black Card members. G