GREENVILLE, S.C., May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Drew Stauffacher has been named as the new brand president of 9Round Kickboxing Fitness, the world’s largest kickboxing franchise. Transitioning from the role of vice president of operations, this strategic move allows Stauffacher to leverage over 13 years of experience with the brand and focus on enhancing the member experience, strengthening franchise support, and leading innovation to keep 9Round at the forefront of boutique fitness. Headquartered in Greenville and founded in 2008 by professional kickboxer Shannon Hudson and his wife Heather, 9Round has revolutionized kickboxing fitness and made it accessible to a broader audience.
With over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, Stauffacher began his career as a certified personal trainer in big-box gyms, boutique studios, and clinical settings. When he joined 9Round as a trainer in 2011, he quickly progressed into a management role and would purchase his first 9Round studio in 2014 and a second studio in 2016. In 2020, Stauffacher and his wife relocated to Greenville to join the 9Round Home Office, where he played a key role in product development and led the creation of 9RoundNOW – a digital training platform that emerged during the pandemic and continues to be a major value-add for members and franchisees.
“After spending significant time learning what it takes to succeed as a franchise owner, transitioning to the 9Round Home Office was an incredible opportunity,” said Stauffacher. “My franchisee experience allowed me to enhance the support we provide, and I was able to apply my fitness expertise to product development and help the company innovate through the challenges of the pandemic. As my focus shifted to operations and now executive leadership, I’ve blended my passion for fitness and business to provide franchise owners the best support and ensure the brand continues to be a leader of innovation.”
“Our franchisees are in the best hands with Drew. Beyond his extensive knowledge of the company and his experience as a franchisee, he brings a different voice and a fresh approach that will continue elevating the brand to its fullest potential while taking exceptional care of our franchisees and members,” said Shannon Hudson, founder and CEO of Striking Brands, the parent company of 9Round Kickboxing Fitness. “His leadership at 9Round will give me time to nurture other branches of our business.”
Hudson will shift his focus to overseeing management of the multiple brands under the company, including iLoveKickboxing, a prominent kickboxing franchise acquired by Striking Brands in 2024, and the newly developed equipment division.
About 9Round Kickboxing Fitness
Founded in 2008 by professional kickboxer Shannon Hudson and his wife, Heather, 9Round is the world’s largest kickboxing franchise, both in gyms and online, that brings kickboxing fitness training to the average person in a 30-minute, trainer-guided, full-body circuit format. The program is developed around a proprietary and copyrighted system of nine challenging workout stations created by Shannon himself. Today, there are over 350 9Round locations open and operating throughout 41 U.S. states and in 18 other countries, including Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam. For more information, please visit www.9round.com.
Download images: Drew Stauffacher Headshots
SOURCE 9Round
