Sarah Powell ‘93L Appointed General Counsel for Planet Fitness Powell will advise one of the largest and fastest growing fitness center operators.

By Law Communications
November 19, 2025

Sarah Powell, a 1993 graduate of Washington and Lee University School of Law and an emerita member of the Law Council, has been appointed General Counsel of Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S.

Powell is a legal and strategic business advisor with over 25 years of experience in leadership roles as in-house counsel. She most recently served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary at the global parent company and developer of franchisor brands GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands) from 2015 to present. In the role, she developed business, legal and, compliance strategies for all brands of the company, which include Moe’s Southwest Grill, McAlister’s Deli, Schlotzsky’s, Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, Jamba, and Carvel, as well as Seattle’s Best Coffee in certain international markets.

From 2002 to 2015, Powell served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at publicly traded automotive aftermarket parts retailer Advance Auto Parts, where she was responsible for all company legal matters and set business, legal and compliance strategies. Earlier in her career, she held roles at Delhaize America.

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