Crunch Fitness CEO Jim Rowley Named 2026 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® New York Winner
July 13, 2026
Crunch Fitness CEO Jim Rowley has been named an EY US Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 New York Award winner, recognizing his leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and role in transforming Crunch from 36 locations into a global fitness brand with more than 550 gyms and 4 million members worldwide.
Some milestones are measured in locations. Others are measured in members, momentum and the impact a leader has on an entire industry. For Crunch Fitness, this one is worth celebrating.
Jim Rowley, CEO of Crunch Fitness, has been named an EY US Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 New York Award winner, joining a distinguished group of business leaders recognized for exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, long-term value creation and meaningful impact.
The recognition comes at a defining moment for Crunch. With more than 550 gyms worldwide, 4 million members and continued expansion across the United States and international markets, the brand is building toward its next major chapter.
And for a company that got its start in New York City, winning in New York makes the moment even more meaningful.
“I’m honored to receive this award and to join this community of bold business leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Rowley. “Crunch debuted in 1989 in Greenwich Village, so this recognition in New York City is especially meaningful for us. This win reflects our commitment to our team, franchise owners and members. This is a proud milestone on our way to building a world with more Crunch.”
From Entry-Level Gym Sales to Leading a Global Fitness Brand
Jim Rowley’s career did not begin in the CEO’s office.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Rowley entered the fitness industry in an entry-level gym sales role and built his career across some of the industry’s leading fitness brands. That experience gave him a firsthand understanding of the business, from the member experience on the gym floor to the strategy required to grow a successful fitness brand.
In 2009, Rowley joined Crunch during a period of uncertainty. Where others might have seen a business in need of a turnaround, he saw something bigger: a brand with the potential to reinvent what the modern gym experience could be.
Under his leadership as Chairman, CEO and now Executive Chairman, Crunch grew from just 36 locations to more than 550 gyms worldwide, serving 4 million members. The brand is now approaching 600 clubs, with plans to reach 1,000 locations within the next five years.
That kind of growth does not happen by simply opening more doors. It requires a clear vision, a strong franchise system, a differentiated brand and the ability to evolve without losing what made the company stand out in the first place.
Building More Crunch
Crunch has built its growth around a simple idea: serious fitness does not have to take itself too seriously.
As a high-value, low-price gym, Crunch combines state-of-the-art strength training equipment, dynamic group fitness experiences and premium Relax & Recover® services in an inclusive environment designed for a wide range of members. From young, strong and social gym-goers to more mature members focused on staying active and feeling their best, Crunch continues to expand what an affordable gym membership can offer.
That approach has helped fuel significant franchise momentum, member growth and international expansion.
Today, Crunch is headquartered in New York City and serves 4 million members across more than 550 gyms worldwide. With new clubs continuing to open and a long-term goal of reaching 1,000 locations within five years, the brand’s next phase of growth is already underway.
Rowley’s recognition by EY reflects more than the scale Crunch has achieved. It recognizes the entrepreneurial leadership behind that growth and the ability to take an established brand, rethink its potential and build it for the future.
Why the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Recognition Matters
Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year® program honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit.
The program recognizes different forms of entrepreneurship, including original founders who built businesses from the ground up, transformational CEOs who introduced innovation into existing organizations and leaders who reimagined established business models to strengthen them for the future.
Rowley’s story reflects the power of transformational leadership.
Since joining Crunch in 2009, he has helped guide the brand through a period of reinvention and sustained expansion while keeping its distinctive identity at the center of its growth. The result is a global fitness brand that continues to scale while staying true to the culture that has defined Crunch since its beginnings in Greenwich Village.
Meet the 2026 New York Award Winners
Jim Rowley joins an accomplished group of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 New York Award winners:
- Jay McHarg | AeroSafe Global | Rochester, NY
- Brad Charron | ALOHA | Darien, CT
- Scott Dancy | Azuna | Buffalo, NY
- Joshua Shapiro | Baseball Lifestyle 101 | Farmingdale, NY
- Sameer Malhotra | Cafe Spice | New Windsor, NY
- Jordan Nathan | Caraway Home | New York, NY
- Jim Rowley | Crunch Fitness | New York, NY
- Robert S. Cortright | DriveWealth | New York, NY
- Andy Reiser | Kapitus | New York, NY
- Michael Martin | RapidSOS | New York, NY
- Ron Rudzin | Saatva | Whitestone, NY
- Ryan Serhant | SERHANT. | New York, NY
Together, the winners represent businesses and industries ranging from fitness and food to technology, finance, healthcare and real estate.
What Comes Next
The journey does not stop in New York.
As a 2026 New York Award winner, Rowley will now be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 National Awards.
The national awards will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, where high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives and investors come together to discuss and shape the future of business.
The National Overall Award winner will then advance to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in May 2027.
For Rowley and Crunch, the New York recognition arrives during a period of continued momentum. More gyms. More members. More markets. And, as Rowley put it, a continued commitment to building “a world with more Crunch.”
Read the press release here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® program?
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® program is an awards program that recognizes business leaders for entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, courage, long-term value creation and meaningful impact. Now in its 41st year, the program honors founders, transformational CEOs and other business leaders who have helped reshape and grow their organizations.
Why was Jim Rowley recognized as an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 New York Award winner?
Jim Rowley was recognized for his entrepreneurial leadership and role in the growth and transformation of Crunch Fitness. Since joining Crunch in 2009, he has helped lead the company from 36 locations to more than 550 gyms serving 4 million members worldwide.
When are the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 National Awards?
The Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 National Awards will be presented in November 2026 at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®. As a New York Award winner, Jim Rowley will be considered by the national judges for the national awards.
What has driven Crunch Fitness’ recent growth?
Crunch Fitness’ growth has been driven by strong franchise momentum, continued domestic and international expansion, member growth and a high-value, low-price gym model. The brand combines state-of-the-art strength training equipment, group fitness experiences and premium Relax & Recover® services in an inclusive environment designed for a wide range of members.
How many Crunch Fitness locations are there?
Crunch Fitness has more than 550 gyms worldwide and serves 4 million members. The company is approaching 600 locations and plans to reach 1,000 clubs within the next five years.
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