Crunch Fitness is flexing some serious leadership muscle. The global fitness giant recently announced that Chequan Lewis, a proud Howard University alumnus, has officially been named Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
The major announcement came at the opening of the company’s 2026 Global Franchise Convention in San Antonio. Lewis succeeds longtime CEO Jim Rowley, who is transitioning into the role of Executive Chairman.
Lewis’s journey to the top of a $1.5 billion systemwide enterprise is a masterclass in versatility, excellence, and intentionality. He graduated from Howard University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, an experience he credits with completely shifting his life’s trajectory.
“Howard is much more than my alma mater. It genuinely helped shape my identity,” Lewis told Howard University’s The Dig, reflecting on how his time at the historic HBCU pushed, stretched, and tested him.
Lewis is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, having joined the Beta Chapter at Howard, where he even served as chapter president during his undergraduate years. He also served in student government and was named Mr. Howard University during his time on campus.
After his time as a Bison, Lewis went on to graduate from Harvard Law School and worked as a high-stakes business litigator before making a definitive jump to the corporate business side. Prior to stepping into the fitness sector, he served as the Chief Operating Officer and the very first Chief Equity Officer at Pizza Hut U.S., where he oversaw massive retail operations and pioneered the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
Since joining Crunch Fitness as President in February 2024, Lewis has worked hand-in-hand with Rowley during one of the most prosperous stretches in the gym’s history. Together, they’ve managed a massive expansion, building an enterprise that spans over 550 locations and serves 3.5 million members globally.
As CEO, Lewis will now take the day-to-day wheel, steering member-experience innovations, marketing, branding, and the company’s ambitious global footprint. Meanwhile, Rowley will remain deeply involved as Executive Chairman, focusing on overarching vision and long-term strategy.
“Crunch has never been stronger, and that strength reflects years of close collaboration with Jim, our franchise partners, and our teams across the brand,” Lewis said in a statement. “As we enter this next chapter, our focus remains clear: to support our franchise network, invest in innovation, and grow the Crunch community in a disciplined way while staying true to the culture, values, and ‘No Judgments, No Limits’ experience that define this brand.”
Photo Credit: Crunch Fitness
