Howard University Alumnus Chequan Lewis Takes the Helm as Crunch Fitness CEO

Chequan Lewis is the new Chief Executive Officer of Crunch Fitness, one of the fastest-growing gym brands in the world. His appointment began immediately after Crunch announced the leadership change in June 2026. Former CEO Jim Rowley moved to the role of Executive Chairman. The transition was revealed at Crunch’s 2026 Global Franchise Convention in San Antonio, which the company described as the largest gathering in its history.

For Lewis, this role is more than just another title. It marks the latest step in a career that has spanned law, operations, brand leadership, and franchise growth. Lewis is a proud alumnus of Howard University, where he graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science before attending Harvard Law School.

From Howard to Harvard to Corporate Leadership

Lewis’ rise carries a significant history. Before he joined the fitness industry, he built a career in business management at McMaster-Carr, corporate law, and executive leadership at Pizza Hut U.S. There, he became Chief Operating Officer and the brand’s first Chief Equity Officer. Howard University has described his career path as influenced by law, business strategy, civic engagement, and leadership.

His connection to Howard remains central to his public identity. In 2024, he returned to the university for the School of Business Executive Lecture Series. According to reports, he described it as a place that helped shape his confidence and imagination. “Because it’s Howard. Full stop,” adding that the university “helped shape my identity” and that, “When I’m asked to serve, as in the case of this lecture, I run home.”

That sense of responsibility now follows him into one of the most visible CEO roles in the global fitness industry.

Why His Crunch Fitness Appointment Matters

Crunch is entering a major expansion phase. The company has grown into a $1.5 billion systemwide enterprise, with more than 550 locations and 3.5 million members worldwide. As CEO, Lewis will manage daily operations, member experience innovation, branding, marketing, and long-term growth strategy.

His appointment also comes as Crunch looks to expand beyond the United States. At its 2026 Global Franchise Convention, the company announced plans to open about 100 gyms worldwide this year, including markets in India, Mexico, and New Zealand. The event gathered more than 700 franchisees, partners, and team members in San Antonio.

Lewis steps into the role with a clear growth mandate. “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,” he said, while also pledging to stay true to Crunch’s “No Judgments, No Limits” brand experience.

A Leadership Story Built on Legacy

The symbolism is significant. A Howard graduate now leads a consumer brand with millions of members, international reach, and a growing franchise network. For young Black professionals watching from classrooms, campuses, and early career jobs, Lewis’ appointment serves as a vital reminder that leadership can come from various paths, not just one straightforward route.

At Howard, Lewis once said his college experience taught him that “I always had more to give.” That belief now forms the center of his next chapter.

Jim Rowley, now Executive Chairman, described the transition as one built on trust, calling his relationship with Lewis a “close, trusted partnership.”

For Crunch Fitness, this move signifies succession and growth. For Howard University, it is another case of an alumnus carrying the HBCU legacy into the highest levels of corporate America. And for Lewis, it is a new opportunity to show that ambition, discipline, and purpose can move from the classroom to the corner office while remaining grounded in community.