On Nov. 12, Xponential Fitness, Inc. announced that it was making Gavin M. O’Connor its Chief Legal Counsel & Administrative Officer as of Nov. 14.
O’Connor succeeds Andrew Hagopian, who left the company on Nov. 10.
O’Connor’s background
O’Connor brings over two decades of legal, compliance and operational leadership experience. Most recently, he has been serving as Chief Administrative Officer at European Wax Center (NASDAQ: EWCZ) since September 2023, having held previous roles as Chief Human Resources Officer and General Counsel. Prior to that, he was Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at American Eagle Outfitters and held senior legal positions at GNC Holdings and the law firm McGuireWoods.
Why it matters for the company
Xponential Fitness operates a portfolio of boutique fitness brands – including Club Pilates, YogaSix, Pure Barre and BFT – via a global franchise model. The appointment of a seasoned legal and administrative officer signals the company’s focus on governance, regulatory compliance, contract management, global franchise operations and potential M&A activity. The legal function is especially important given recent earnings pressure, evolving franchise regulation and the need to embed operational scalability.
A business-critical function
In the broader sporting goods and wellness industry, legal and governance leadership is increasingly critical. As brands scale internationally and pivot to omnichannel, global franchise, licensing and platform models, executives must navigate myriad regulatory regimes, digital consumer protection laws and operational risks. Xponential’s move reflects this trend. Companies such as Life Time, Planet Fitness and Lululemon are similarly bolstering leadership functions beyond product and marketing.
The bottom line
By elevating Gavin O’Connor to a key role at this moment, Xponential Fitness is sending a signal: as the brand matures, operational sophistication – especially on the legal-governance axis – is a differentiator. For investors, franchisees and industry watchers, scaling boutique fitness globally is no longer just about studios and branding – it’s about structure, systems and oversight.
See also
