Hand & Stone Experiences Record Setting Growth in 2013 and Projects Continued Expansion in 2014
Hamilton, N.J. (PRWEB) February 07, 2014 -- As Americans continue to invest in healthy lifestyles, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spas (Hand & Stone), one of the fastest growing spa franchises in the country, continues to enjoy immense success, opening 45 new locations and signing 72 new franchise agreements in 2013. Additionally, same-store sales grew an incredible 25% in 2013 for all stores open 24 months or more with the chain achieving over $85 million in system wide sales.
Todd Leff, President and CEO of the brand, says the company’s emphasis on quality customer service, combined with a full menu of healthy lifestyle options for massage and facials at an affordable month-to-month price, has positioned the brand for continued growth in an era where many businesses are failing. “Despite tough economic times, our numbers show that people love our services and with our affordability and convenience we are actually growing demand for the services in each new market we enter,” said Leff.
Leff himself is a believer, having invested in the company after a brief attempt to retire. The successful 54-year-old franchise veteran became president of Hand & Stone in July 2009 and immediately embarked upon an ambitious nationwide expansion. Since Leff assumed the role of president, the company has quadrupled its size and been able to expand into new areas, such as Maryland, Virginia, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, South Carolina and California.
“We want to continue to seek out the most aggressive entrepreneurs to help us identify and expand into new markets, create more jobs and provide opportunities to those who dream of running a successful business,” Leff said. The chain’s new locations created over 1,000 jobs across the country last year, many of those filled by recent graduates from professional training programs.
Launched in 2004 by John Marco, a physical therapist with 20 years of experience, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer, Hand & Stone says its mission is to bring massage therapy and quality facial services to the masses, affordably and conveniently.
“People tend to look at our services as an investment in themselves — something that is almost a necessity these days, because it helps give them a relaxing escape, even if it’s just for an hour or two,” said Leff. “Most clients aren't coming as an indulgence. They're coming for stress reduction and pain relief, and many on the suggestion of their doctors."
While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay more than $100 for a one-hour treatment, many Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as their service and pay 30 percent less than the traditional hourly rate. Better yet, when they sign up for a one-session-per-month plan, they pay a discounted rate and receive a massage or facial each month. Despite instability in the economy, Hand & Stone in 2010 nonetheless took their convenient model one step further offering month-to-month memberships for their customers.
“As we continue to enter new markets in 2014, we are thrilled at the opportunity to introduce even more communities to our affordable healthy lifestyle services,” continued Leff. “With every new client that we help give a stress-free life through our services at Hand & Stone, we are assured that we’re on the right path to success.”
ABOUT HAND & STONE
Hand & Stone is a 140-plus unit massage and facial spa with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses. Launched in 2004 by a passionate physical therapist, John Marco and now led by franchise veteran Todd Leff, Hand & Stone now has locations in 20 states and Canada. For more information on Hand & Stone, visit http://www.handandstone.com.
Brian Jaeger, No Limit Agency, http://www.nolimitagency.com, 312.526.3996, [email protected]
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