A new franchisee plans to bulk up Gold's Gym International Inc.'s local operations.

McLean, Va.-based Titan Fitness recently bought all eight Gold's Gym locations in the Twin Cities from Minnesotan Brad Kloss. The company also acquired six Gold's Gym locations in Raleigh, N.C., and plans to grow to more than 60 locations nationwide in the next five years.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Titan Fitness expects to add eight to 10 new health clubs in the Twin Cities at a cost of about $4 million to $5 million each. The company also will invest $700,000 into its existing operations during the first quarter this year and another $750,000 a year thereafter.

Gold's Gym locations typically include basketball, racquetball and tennis courts, swimming pools, personal training, nutritional counseling and child-care services. They range in size from 25,000 to 60,000 square feet.

The average membership costs $35 to $40 a month, depending on how large of an enrollment fee the customer chooses to pay.

Irving, Texas-based Gold's Gym has more than 600 locations worldwide.

Gold's Gym will compete most directly with Irvine, Calif.-based L.A. Fitness International Inc., which also has ramped up its local operations in recent months. L.A. Fitness now has four stores open in the Twin Cities and more than a half-dozen other sites in various stages of development in the area.

"We believe there is plenty of opportunity for L.A. Fitness and ourselves to be in the market and provide customers with greater convenience," said Jeff Skeen, CEO of Titan Fitness. "Minneapolis has been underserved for a long time.

Chanhassen-based Life Time Fitness Inc. is the largest full-service health club operator in Minnesota, with 25 locations. West St. Paul-based Anytime Fitness Inc. and Chanhassen-based Snap Fitness Inc. each operate dozens of compact, 24-hour fitness centers in the area.