BACKGROUND
Empire Portfolio Group (EPG), one of Orangetheory Fitness’s largest franchise operators, owns and operates more than 60 locations across key markets including New England, the Tri-State area, Northern VA, DC, and Charlotte.
In 2022, EPG partnered with Budderfly, an energy-as-a-service provider that implements high-quality, energy-saving equipment upgrades at zero upfront cost to Orangetheory and expertly manages energy systems for maximum efficiency.
As a result of this partnership, EPG can:
| Reduce emissions and energy waste across its studios. |
| Preserve capital to invest in growth, equipment, and employees. |
| Improve member satisfaction with more reliable, comfortable environments. |
| Establish a scalable model for sustainable operations across its portfolio. |
THE CHALLENGE
Sustainability in the fitness industry presents a unique challenge. Studios consume large amounts of energy to maintain optimal workout conditions and comfort is a non-negotiable for members.
EPG wanted to lower its energy use and carbon footprint while keeping temperature and humidity consistent across its locations. However:
| Replacing HVAC systems across more than 50 studios required a significant capital investment. | Aging HVAC units performed inconsistently, increasing maintenance costs and causing unplanned downtime. | These barriers risked both member experience and long-term operational costs. |
THE PARTNERSHIP
Budderfly’s energy-as-a-service-model model aligned perfectly with EPG’s growth and operational priorities.
| Capital preservation: Budderfly covered the cost of all upgrades and installations, enabling EPG to preserve capital for strategic investments, such as expanding its footprint, improving equipment, and supporting its people. |
| Optimized utility management: Budderfly took ownership of energy bills and system performance, using continuous monitoring to ensure equipment operates at peak efficiency and with minimal downtime. |
| Scalable approach: The repeatable Budderfly model allowed EPG to seamlessly onboard studios. To date, 53 Orangetheory locations have joined the program, with more scheduled to follow. |
| Operational relief: By outsourcing energy management, EPG could focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional fitness environments and growing its portfolio. |
RESULTS
EPG’s partnership with Budderfly has already yielded measurable business, environmental, and member experience impact:
| 53 enrolled locations | |
| 16 new high-efficiency HVAC systems installed with 10 more scheduled | |
| Significant reduction in HVAC downtime |
| Consistent temperature and humidity management through proactive monitoring and maintenance | |
| Immediate improvements in member comfort and satisfaction | |
| Reduced energy waste and carbon footprint across the network |
ENERGY SAVINGS
These reductions represent real progress toward EPG’s long-term sustainability goals, while maintaining the high-quality studio experience that Orangetheory members expect.
THE FUTURE
EPG’s partnership with Budderfly has already yielded measurable business, environmental, and member experience impact:
EPG plans to expand Budderfly’s model across additional Orangetheory Fitness locations. This success positions Empire Portfolio Group as a leader in sustainable fitness operations—demonstrating how sustainable business practices, operational efficiency, and member satisfaction can work in perfect alignment.
By partnering with Budderfly, EPG has built a scalable, data-driven framework for reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and fueling future growth.
Source:
*https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=97&t=3#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20average%20annual,6%2C178%20kWh%20per%20residential%20customer