Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2016 | Page 46

AT H L E T E S I N F R A N C H I S I N G
BY KERRY PIPES

It’s All Working Out
Former NFL QB calls
the shots at his
Retro Fitness gyms
Pittsburgh, Jan. 5, 2008, Heinz Field—
With the Steelers ahead 29–28 and 1:56
to go in the 4th quarter of the 2007 NFL
Wild Card Playoffs, Jacksonville Jaguars
quarterback David Garrard, facing 4th
and 2 on the Pittsburgh 43-yard line, took
off for a 32-yard gain that set up the Jaguars’ game-winning field goal. Final score:
31–29, Jaguars.

T

oday, at 38, Garrard still works
out every day, but he’s not just
pumping iron in his post-NFL
career—he’s pumping profits from his two Retro Fitness gyms. “I
had always known there would be life
after football and worked closely with
my financial adviser to prepare for that
day,” he says.
Garrard spent nine seasons with the
Jaguars before getting released just before the 2011 season. He signed with the
Miami Dolphins and later with the New
York Jets, but in 2013 nagging injuries
NAME: David Garrard
TITLE: Owner
COMPANY: Retro Fitness
NO. OF UNITS: 3 Retro Fitness (2
open, 1 under development)
AGE: 38
FAMILY: Wife Mary Garrard, three

kids (Justin 8, Makena 4, Sydney
3), 1 Yorkie and 1 cat
YEARS IN FRANCHISING: Just over 2
YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 2

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MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IS S UE IV, 2016

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