Massage Outlets Go Franchise

St. Petersburg Times:

Reflecting the popularity of new membership-based massage outlets, a new franchise will soon enter the market.

Just a year after Massage Envy opened on Fourth Street N, Hand and Stone is shopping for a similar location.

‘We plan to open in the next 6 to 9 months,’ said Rob Beers, the regional developer for the ambitious Hand and Stone. Beers said he hopes to sell a couple more franchises in the area soon, but the New Jersey corporate parent is aiming for 500 U.S. stores in the next 5 years.

In many ways, Hand and Stone would mimic Massage Envy, one of the earliest entries of the massage-to-the-masses business concept, which has opened 300 locations since 2002. In pricing and structure, Hand and Stone and others seek to match Massage Envy in the growing $9-billion industry.

‘They’re about the third imitator to come along,’ said Rich Dunning, who owns a Tampa Massage Envy and parts of the St. Petersburg store and one in Brandon.

‘It’s becoming more and more accepted to a wider demographic.’

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