Crunch Fitness has appointed Chequan Lewis as chief executive officer, effective immediately, succeeding Jim Rowley, who has transitioned to executive chairman of the high-value, low-price fitness operator.

The move comes roughly 14 months after Crunch received a strategic investment from Leonard Green & Partners, a private equity firm that acquired a majority stake from TPG Growth and Crunch’s minority shareholders in a deal that reportedly valued Crunch at over $1.5 billion, including debt.

Lewis, a Howard University and Harvard Law School graduate who joined Crunch in 2024 as president, steps into the top role after helping drive the company’s growth to more than 550 locations worldwide. He came to the high-value, low-price (HVLP) gym giant from Pizza Hut, where he served as chief operating officer and first chief equity officer.