About Us

What We Do

Ascente Group is an executive team of brand consultants, business plan experts and franchising thought leaders with varied backgrounds in the Health and Wellness, Restaurant and Food, and Resort and Leisure Industries.

With the experience to take an individual business through the entire Franchise development process, The Ascente Group provides expertise with business plan development, paperwork and infrastructure. We also act as the brokerage for various levels of franchise ownership, from area development to individual locations.

Ascente Group is the team of experts behind the successful regional chain Massage Envy and Orangetheory Fitness.

Who We Are

The Ascente Group was founded by Jerome Kern and Dave Long, who learned through numerous business dealings that each could bring vital contibutions to the table in forming a paramount franchise development and consulting company. In 2009, they formed Ascente Group, which has gone on to achieve success with regional and national francshise development.

Dave Long

As CEO for Orangetheory Fitness, Dave leads the company’s franchise model, regional development and product development strategy. After founding the company in 2010 with two partners, Dave has led the brand through countless pivotal achievements, including the launch of two apps, creating a proprietary heart rate monitor with strategically chosen partners and signing celebrity brand ambassadors. In addition, Dave facilitated Orangetheory Fitness‘ exponential growth, and expanded the brand worldwide, with studios now open in several countries. The scientifically backed fitness franchise continues its rapid expansion with no end in sight under Dave’s leadership.

Prior to founding Orangetheory Fitness, Dave started out in the wellness industry with Massage Envy. With his business acumen and unwavering perseverance, he helped grow the franchise from 25 to 800 locations. After that much success, most people would likely consider retirement, but Dave wanted a new challenge. He joined European Wax Center and expanded the concept from 4 to 400 locations.

A health nut since his youth, Dave has tried almost every fitness fad, including submerging himself completely in ice. He is a walking encyclopedia on nutrition, weight loss and overall wellness, and helps others around the office stick to their fitness goals, inspiring his team to never give up. In addition, Dave regularly appears on TV to reach a larger audience and speak about the fitness industry. Dave is a true visionary in today’s franchise business realm.

When he’s out of the office, Dave enjoys family time traveling with his beautiful wife and two daughters. He also loves extreme sports. From snowboarding from Switzerland into Italy to sailing a catamaran through the BVIs and kite boarding, Dave loves adventure and taking risks.

Dave is also a University of Florida alum and recently achieved a lifelong goal of being named #1 on the Gator100 list of fastest-growing, Gator-owned businesses in the world.

Jerome Kern

A serial small business owner and operator, Jerome has vast experience in businesses ranging from restaurants, campgrounds and telecommunications to digital cable providers and home improvement. Jerome is a Founder and Managing Partner of The Ascente Group, and a Partner and Founder of Orangetheory Fitness.