Four new owners. Four different backgrounds. One decision that changed the trajectory of their communities: saying yes to D1 Training. From a longtime high school coach in Minnesota to corporate executives in California, four coaching families in Utah, and a sales leader in Tennessee, the most recently opened facilities prove there's no single path into the D1 family, just a shared drive to build something that lasts. If you've been weighing what franchise ownership could look like for you, their stories are worth a close read.
D1 Training Savage opened its doors on April 13 at 12220 Zinran Ave, with a grand opening celebration on April 11 that brought out the Prior Lake Chamber for a ribbon cutting, an appearance by former Minnesota Vikings player John Randle, local food trucks, and giveaways.
Owner Jeremy James didn't come to franchising cold. He's spent 18 years coaching football at Prior Lake High School and raising two young athletes of his own, and it was a D1 recruiting day that convinced him the brand's approach matched the standard he'd already been holding his own programs to. Savage became the place to put that belief into practice.
"D1 provides the structure and support that helps young people grow both as athletes and individuals," said James. "I have seen firsthand how the right environment can change a life and bringing D1 to the South Metro allows us to create that impact for families in our community."
The San Fernando Valley picked up two new locations on July 20: one on Van Nuys Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, the other on Nordhoff St. in Northridge.
In Sherman Oaks, owner Doug Maxfield spent more than three decades running corporate wellness programs, including at Warner Bros., before deciding it was time to build something of his own. An Ironman finisher and lifelong endurance athlete, he saw D1 as a chance to take everything he'd learned about helping people commit to their health and turn it into a business he could call his.
"Fitness has always been about more than exercise, it's about building confidence, discipline, and resilience that carries into every aspect of life," said Maxfield. "After spending my career helping people achieve their wellness goals, I'm excited to bring D1 Training to Sherman Oaks and create an environment where athletes of all ages can challenge themselves, grow stronger, and become part of a supportive community."
In Northridge, owner DJ Milonas made the leap after more than 20 years in commercial and residential real estate, alongside years coaching youth baseball and basketball on the side. As a father of two young sons, the long-term development philosophy behind D1 is what sold him on trading real estate deals for franchise ownership. His coaching staff includes a two-time Olympic gold medalist as head coach.
"As a coach, a father and a lifelong athlete, I've seen the impact the right training environment can have on a person's confidence both on and off the field," said Milonas. "I'm excited to bring D1 Training to Northridge and provide local families with professional coaching, a welcoming culture and a place where every member can reach their full potential."
D1 Training Spanish Fork opened August 31 at 852 S Spanish Fork Pkwy, marking the first D1 location in Southern Utah County. At nearly 4,800 square feet, the facility launched with a team of five, including a head coach and four additional coaching roles.
This location isn't the work of one owner but four families operating together: Brian and Amy Wall, Kevin and Kelly Swasey, Jeremy and Amy Chapman, and Jared and Shyann Robinson. The group had already spent years coaching youth and high school sports side by side, watching their own young athletes grow up on the same fields and courts. For Brian Wall, a former head football coach at Payson High School, franchise ownership had been a long-held goal that finally found the right partners and the right brand. Spanish Fork is only the beginning for this group, with additional locations already planned for Saratoga Springs and Cache Valley.
"We've spent years coaching athletes and investing in this community, so opening D1 Training felt like the natural next step," said Brian Wall. "Our goal is to create a place where athletes of all ages can build confidence, improve performance and develop the discipline and mindset they'll carry with them long after the game is over."
D1 Training East Nashville opened June 25 at 747 Douglas Ave., with a grand opening event on July 9 that offered deals on training and apparel, plus involvement from local wellness partners. The 3,300-square-foot facility opened up new career opportunities in the community.
Owner Bobby Walters spent his career in enterprise software sales, always looking for the entrepreneurial opportunity that would actually fit his life. He found it after his own son started training at D1's Franklin location. What sealed the deal, though, was Walters' history with the brand itself: he attended college with D1 founder Will Bartholomew and has watched him grow the company from the ground up ever since.
"D1 immediately felt personal to me because it brought me back to the environment I missed most from my athletic days," said Walters. "Watching my son train at D1 reminded me how impactful great coaching and mentoring can be, and I immediately knew I wanted to bring that same experience to families and athletes in East Nashville."
A football coach, corporate executives, four coaching families, and a software sales leader; on paper, these owners have little in common. What brought each of them to D1 was the same pull: a chance to turn their own experience with sports and community into a business built to serve youth athletes for years to come. Every location runs on D1's four age-based programs, Rookie, Developmental, Prep, and D1 Adult, and the same training philosophy that's carried the brand to more than 170 open facilities nationwide, with over 200 more in development.
For the coaches, executives, and community leaders considering what's next, these four openings are proof that D1 franchise ownership isn't one mold. It's a business built around whatever you bring to it, and a mission that keeps finding the right people to carry it forward.
These four grand openings are just the latest chapter in a much longer story. Want to hear directly from more D1 franchisees about why they chose to open a D1 in their community?
Visit our franchisee testimonials page to hear more real stories from real owners, or explore franchisee support to see what ongoing support looks like as a D1 owner.