Meet Derek Riley | COO-President

We had the good fortune of connecting with Derek Riley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derek, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind Zoo Health Club’s success is our customization-first mindset. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter gyms — we believe in creating the right gym for the right market. Every Zoo location is built around the needs of the community it serves. That means different sizes, different layouts, different amenities — but all under the same strong brand and operational framework.

We empower our franchisees to co-create their facility with us, instead of forcing them into a one-size-fits-all mold. That level of flexibility, combined with high-level support, cutting-edge recovery and wellness integrations, and a proven operating system, gives our brand a real competitive edge.

At the end of the day, we’ve succeeded because we focus on what works — not what’s trendy or templated.

What should our readers know about your business?
Zoo Health Club isn’t just a gym — it’s a customizable fitness platform built for the modern entrepreneur. What sets us apart is simple: we don’t force franchisees into a box — we give them the blueprint and freedom to build what works best for their market. Whether it’s 7,000 square feet or 25,000, we create powerful, profitable gyms tailored to the people they serve.

I’m most proud of how we’ve scaled without selling out. We’ve stayed committed to quality, relationships, and innovation — integrating wellness services like peptides, recovery rooms, and longevity programs long before they became industry buzzwords. That forward-thinking mindset is baked into our DNA.

Was it easy? Not even close. There were years where we had to fight through bad deals, tough markets, and building the brand from scratch. But pressure reveals character — and I had two things that kept me going: a relentless belief in the vision, and the support of my wife, Amy. She’s been my foundation, my truth-teller, and the reason I kept moving forward when things got tough.

The biggest lesson? Don’t chase trends — chase truth. Know what your brand stands for and never apologize for it. We didn’t get here by copying other fitness brands. We got here by solving real problems and helping franchisees win.

What I want the world to know is this: Zoo Health Club is a brand with a backbone. We’re not here to blend in. We’re here to build a smarter future for fitness — one facility, one community, one leader at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting Fort Lauderdale for a week, we’d be blending sunshine, sweat, and sophistication — South Florida style.

Day 1: Arrival + Beach Reset
We’d kick things off with breakfast at O-B House for some of the best pancakes in town, then straight to Las Olas Beach for some sun and people-watching. Late afternoon we’d hit the Zoo Health Club for a full-body lift or recovery session. Dinner? Louie Bossi’s on Las Olas — handmade pasta, killer cocktails, and patio vibes.

Day 2: Fitness + Fuel
Start the day with a HIIT workout at Blitz45, then grab acai bowls at Myapapaya. Midday boat rental to cruise the Intracoastal, see the mega-mansions, and maybe drop anchor near the sandbar. Sunset drinks at Boatyard, dinner at Canyon for the prickly pear margarita and short rib.

Day 3: Wellness + Water
We’d hit Sweat440 or a private training session with Amy for something functional and fun. Then a full recovery drip at a local IV lounge. Afternoon at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea — a little more chill than the main beach. Sushi dinner at Takato, right on the ocean.

Day 4: Miami Daytrip
Drive down A1A for a scenic cruise to Wynwood — check out the murals, coffee at Panther Coffee, and lunch at KYU. Swing by South Beach, maybe rent bikes and ride Ocean Drive. Back by evening for dinner at Casa Sensei — Asian-Latin fusion right on the water.

Day 5: Deep Sea + Deep Talks
Charter a half-day fishing trip or do jet skis off the coast. Back on land, a light lunch at Caffe Europa, followed by an IV recovery or cold plunge. Dinner at Val+tino Cucina Italiana for something more upscale.

Day 6: Local Vibes
Walk around Las Olas, stop at galleries, shops, or a hidden cigar lounge. Brunch at YOT Bar & Kitchen, afternoon at NSU Art Museum or catch a game or concert. Wrap it up with rooftop drinks at Sparrow overlooking downtown.

Day 7: Farewell Feast
Morning stretch or yoga at the beach, then one last blowout brunch at Shooter’s Waterfront. Recap the trip, laugh about the stories, and lock in the next time they’re coming back.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely — I have to give a huge shoutout to my wife, Amy. She’s been my biggest motivator, sounding board, and the reason I show up at the level I do. Amy has this unique combination of strength, heart, and no-BS accountability that keeps me grounded and driven at the same time.

When I had the vision to completely revamp the Zoo Health Club brand, she believed in it — and more importantly, she believed in me and my forward thinking. She’s a powerhouse in her own right as a trainer and wellness coach, and seeing her passion for helping others inspired me to build a brand that does the same at scale.

A lot of people talk about “balance” between work and life, but Amy helped me build alignment — where our purpose, our mission, and our life are all connected. So while I may be the one in the meetings or on the interviews, there’s no doubt she’s the engine behind a lot of it.

Website: https://www.zoogymfranchise.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/investinzoohealthclub

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-l-riley-3839141b9

Facebook: https://facebook.com/derek.riley.122

Image Credits
They are all images owned by our Corporation, so we have the rights to everything