A Spokane-area Snap Fitness franchisee says he is looking to add locations in the Inland Northwest this year, either through acquisitions or new-gym openings.

Jeff Spencer, who co-owns three Snap Fitness gyms here with his wife, Shelley, says he recently hired a new general manager, Jake Smith, to operate two of his outlets so he could focus on opening more locations during the next several years. He says Smith also might become a business partner with him in future Snap Fitness outlets.

The Spencers own Snap Fitness gyms on the South Hill, at 3717 S. Grand Blvd., and in Spokane Valley, at 13514 E. 32nd. They also have an ownership interest in a Snap Fitness that opened last October in Cheney, at 2726 N. First. The three Snap Fitness centers employ about 10 part-time employees and 15 personal trainers.

Four other Snap Fitness centers operate in the Inland Northwest under different ownership.

Spencer says he and Smith are looking to open a Snap Fitness outlet in the Mead area before the end of the year, though they haven't identified a specific location yet. Also, he says, they are negotiating to buy an existing Coeur d'Alene outlet. He hasn't identified any other potential locations or acquisitions at this time.

Smith, a former Snap Fitness franchise account manager in Minnesota, has moved to Spokane to oversee daily operations at the outlets on the South Hill and in Spokane Valley. Until recently, Spencer says he was managing those two outlets.

Smith says he's worked at Snap's corporate headquarters in Chanhassen, Minn., for about two years, managing franchise accounts for the company's franchisees in the western U.S. and Canada. He says he met Spencer through that position with the company and, because he's had past experience managing other fitness centers, decided to relocate to Spokane for the opportunity to become a store manager for Spencer.

Snap Fitness offers its members 24-hour access to any of its locations globally, through a key-card access system. Memberships, which require a $69 initiation fee, range from about $35 per month for one person to $65 for a family of three, Spencer says, adding that members pay month-to-month and can cancel their memberships at any time.