Dave Long

CEO and co-founder, Orangetheory Fitness

As CEO for Orangetheory Fitness, Dave leads the company’s franchise model, regional development and product development strategy. After founding the company in 2010 with two partners, Dave has led the brand through countless pivotal achievements, including the launch of two apps, creating a proprietary heart rate monitor with strategically chosen partners and signing celebrity brand ambassadors. In addition, Dave facilitated Orangetheory Fitness‘ exponential growth, and expanded the brand worldwide, with studios now open in several countries. The scientifically backed fitness franchise continues its rapid expansion with no end in sight under Dave’s leadership.

Prior to founding Orangetheory Fitness, Dave started out in the wellness industry with Massage Envy. With his business acumen and unwavering perseverance, he helped grow the franchise from 25 to 800 locations. After that much success, most people would likely consider retirement, but Dave wanted a new challenge. He joined European Wax Center as a consultant (and eventually as an area representative and franchisee) and helped build an area representative network at a time when there were only 4 family owned locations. With the area representative network that Dave and his partner helped build, European Wax Center expanded the concept from 4 to over 550 locations in less than 9 years.

A health nut since his youth, Dave has tried almost every fitness fad, including submerging himself in ice. He is a walking encyclopedia on nutrition, weight loss and overall wellness, and helps others around the office stick to their fitness goals, inspiring his team to never give up. In addition, Dave regularly appears on TV to reach a larger audience and speak about the fitness industry. Dave is a true visionary in today’s franchise business realm.

Dave is also a University of Florida alum and recently achieved a lifelong goal of being named #1 on the Gator100 list of fastest-growing, Gator-owned businesses in the world.