Andrew Alfano is the CEO of Retro Fitness, a leader in the high-value, low price fitness space with more than 140 gyms open or under development in 14 states. With over 25 years of experience in the retail, hospitality/restaurant industries and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.
Alfano joined Retro Fitness in 2019 to mature and drive the growth of the brand across the US. The company at an inflection point, he restructured the organization, recruited a new leadership team and moved its headquarters to their new location in West Palm Beach. Crafting a new brand position, “Get Real”, Retro Fitness is coming off the best January campaign in the history of the company. With a new go to market strategy, he has quickly repositioned the company to capitalize on area development opportunities and growth in a number of emerging markets.
Most recently, Alfano served as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Learning Experience, an Academy of Early Education, headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, transitioning from the Company after successfully spearheading a financial event that exited the majority partner nearly two years early at a very impressive multiple.
Alfano joined The Learning Experience, in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer and was quickly promoted to President and COO. In this role, he leveraged the existing strengths of the brand, reorganized the company and crafted a new go to market strategy that accelerated its growth and development. During that time, Alfano doubled new store openings, driving record revenue and EBITDA. Today, The Learning Experience can boast of having over 400 locations open or under development, with European expansion now underway along with other adjacent line and product extensions.
Prior to The Learning Experience Alfano enjoyed an impressive 16-year career with Starbucks Coffee Company, having joined the brand in the late 90’s, he worked his way up from District Manager to Senior Vice President, U.S. Business. In this capacity he was accountable for over $3.5B in revenue across both licensed and company operated stores. As a member of the Executive Steering Committee, he helped develop and execute their Blue Print for Growth, 5-year strategic plan and led a field team of Regional Vice Presidents, all while working with the executive team and external agencies to weigh in on all things brand.
Alfano was one of the key leaders that helped architect the company’s strategic growth in some of the more high profile, complex urban markets, specifically Starbucks flagship market of New York. During this time, these markets saw record growth in sales and profits. He was also one of the key leaders that helped lead the US Business out of the company’s downturn in 2008.
He currently sits on the Board of Fellows for the Culinary Institute of America, and previously sat on the Board of Directors for Make-a-Wish South Florida and United Way, NYC.
He and his wife both grew up on Long Island, which is also where they raised their family. They still maintain a home on Long Island, but spend the majority of their time at their primary residence in West Palm Beach, FL.
Andrew Alfano 