São Paulo – The Team Nogueira gym, of Brazilian MMA fighters Rodrigo and Rogério Nogueira, Minotauro and Minotouro, has a franchise operating in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. The unit was opened about two months ago by sheikh Tariq Bin Faisal Alqassimi and official inauguration will be in late June, and will include the presence of the twins. According to Eric Lobão, a businessman in the fitness area and partner of the Nogueira’s in the chain, the franchise in Dubai is an absolute success.
The franchises do not aim at training fighters; they are turned to people interested in physical fitness, reduction of stress and in health gains. The methodology is for well-being through the practice of martial arts like judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, mixed martial arts (MMA), among others, and the practice is adequate to all ages, from children from age three to the elderly. “It is turned to the whole family,” stated Lobão. In Dubai, in fact, he recalled, the unit is attracting many women and the public is formed by locals and foreigners.
The businessman says that Brazilian jiu-jitsu is renowned in the Emirates and that sheikh Tariq had lessons with a Brazilian who trained at Team Nogueira. On travelling to Brazil, the sheikh visited the gym in Rio de Janeiro and decided to open a franchise in Dubai. He also plans to inaugurate a unit in Saudi Arabia. The chain already has franchises in Zurich (Switzerland), Orlando, San Diego and West Palm Beach (United States) and units should be opened in Dallas, in the United States, Panama and Morocco.
The Team Nogueira matrix was created by Minotauro and Minotouro in 2007 and was turned solely to training athletes. In 2009, it was opened to students. Lobão was hired as a Team Nogueira consultant in late 2011 to transform the gym in a profitable business. From then, the well-being methodology was created and the franchise system established. Lobão became a company partner. Currently, apart from the units abroad, the brand has franchises in São Paulo, Londrina (Paraná), Joinville (Santa Catarina) and in Cachambi neighbourhood (Rio de Janeiro). There are also another 22 units that have already been sold. To open a Team Nogueira franchise, the necessary investment is between R$ 250,000 (US$ 125,000) and R$ 400,000 (US$ 200,000), according to the size of the unit. The value includes the franchise fee and the assembly of the place.
According to Lobão, the people who practice at the gym and show talent for competitions in the area are guided to the Team Nogueira headquarters, in Rio de Janeiro, where the professional fighter training takes place. Minotauro and Minotouro are recognized mainly for their performance in jiu-jitsu during MMA fights. Rogério, Minotouro, is also successful in boxing.
*Translated by Mark Ament
