Two of the northshore’s biggest health clubs have entered into a partnership that will consolidate the management of the popular workout facilities.

Franco’s Health Club and Spa, which has locations in Mandeville and New Orleans, will now be managed by the owners of Cross Gates Family Fitness, which has three clubs in the Slidell area.

“Cross Gates will lead both operations,” said Nate Welch, who owns Cross Gates with his uncle, Larry Welch.

Franco’s clubs and Cross Gates clubs will retain their own names, Welch said. Combined, the clubs have around 30,000 members and more than 400 employees, he said.

In an interview, Welch declined to describe the specifics of the business transaction, only saying that it was a “strategic partnership” that keeps both clubs in the hands of local owners

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