Nationally, therapeutic massage is a $10 billion a year industry that has benefited from unprecedented popularity in recent years, particularly owing to the proliferation in the marketplace of upscale, convenient retail clinic locations that offer quality, affordable services. Their success has also been fueled by referrals from medical providers who have embraced the auxiliary health benefits of therapeutic massage (ie., stress relief, pain management, improved flexibility, etc.) as part of an overall improved wellness and preventative care regimen.

Since its debut in 2002, Massage Envy has grown into the nation’s largest massage therapy provider. After having been named among the top 20 “Fastest Growing Franchises” in 2009 by Entrepreneur Magazine, the concept subsequently gained even more market share via the development of new Massage Envy Spa locations (the first of which opened in 2009). The clinics quickly gained a reputation for offering refreshing facials, in addition to customized therapeutic massages, to intermittent guests and loyal members alike. In November of 2011, Scottsdale, AZ-based Massage Envy Limited, LLC, parent company of the 700+ unit strong Massage Envy chain, announced the opening of the company’s 50th Massage Envy Spa unit, located in Rocky Point, New York. “We are thrilled about reaching this momentous milestone, a clear indication of the success and growth of this new concept,” stated the CEO of Massage Envy, David Humphrey, on the occasion of the opening.

Massage Envy Spas feature the company’s signature rejuvenating massage offerings, as well as healthy skin care treatments aimed at restoring and strengthening a client’s skin and body, while promoting a healthy lifestyle. The company’s national network of clinics are dedicated to providing professional massage and spa services that accommodate consumer’s modern day busy lifestyles. Offering convenient locations and operating hours, the Massage Envy Spa concept, in a strategic partnership with global skin care leader Murad, offers Healthy Skin facials in one hour sessions, involving a 50-minute facial following an initial consultation and dressing. The locations also have available exclusive products for purchase, to enable customers to maintain a healthy skincare regimen at home.

To encourage first-time guest visits, the clinic charges just under $60 for a client’s initial facial. With a large percentage of new customers having never experienced this type of service in such an intimate environment, the result is that many opt to also take advantage of the available therapeutic massage services as well, which lends to the overall relaxing and revitalizing experience. As an industry pioneer, the company holds true to its mission of delivering a high-quality experience promoting a pathway to wellness through professional, convenient and affordable services.

Massage Envy is the world’s largest employer of licensed/registered massage therapists, with its 16,000+ associates providing over 250,000 massages every week. The clinics only employ professionally educated/certified therapists who meet all state and local licensing requirements and are trained to provide a variety of treatments. The typical Massage Envy clinic utilizes 2,500 to 3,500 sq. ft. of space in shopping centers tenanted with national, daily need and female-oriented retailers.

As the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States, Massage Envy Limited, LLC was ranked #64 among Entrepreneur Magazine‘s annual Franchise 500 in 2011. The magazine also ranked it the 49th Fastest Growing Franchise in 2011. The company‘s successful business model has also proven attractive among entrepreneurial-minded operators who, in growing numbers, have opted to invest their own skills and resources in contributing to the concept’s achievement goals going forward.

In September of 2011, Massage Envy Franchising, LLC announced the opening of the brand‘s 700th clinic operating throughout 44 states in the U.S., bringing the total opened in the first nine months of the year to 45 (which surpassed the number opened in 2010). Also in 2011, over 70 franchises were sold, with the corresponding new openings thus anticipated to occur through 2014. Massage Envy’s average unit volume reportedly surpassed the $1 million mark in 2011, and the company experienced year-over-year growth of 25 percent. The President and COO of Massage Envy Franchising, LLC, Dave Crisalli, remarked, “Our growth story continues, and it speaks to the brand‘s reputation for consistently delivering superior service and value to our members and guests, as well as profitability and success to our franchise partners.”

Massage Envy Limited, LLC has disclosed that 150 new clinics are expected to be added in 2012 in the U.S., with another 100 planned to be added internationally (to include Canada). The state-of-the-art massage and spa treatment clinics typically have 12-14 therapy rooms, with appointment hours ranging from 9 am to 9 pm weekdays, 9 am - 6 pm on Sat., and 10 am - 6 pm on Sunday. Ideal venues for the tenant include power centers, lifestyle centers, mixed use centers, community strip centers, neighborhood strip centers, pad sites/outparcels, and downtown/central business districts. A minimum frontage of 30 ft. is required, as is a population of 65,000 (corresponding to approx. 7,500 households) within a 3-mile trade radius. The primary customers targeted are adult females of any age, earning an above average income. The company utilizes a cadre of experienced regional real estate representatives throughout the U.S in scouting out and securing new sites.

Real estate inquiries can be initially directed to: Tamara Norwood, Real Estate Development Dept.
For franchise related questions, contact: Jesse Curry, Director, Franchise Sales

Massage Envy Limited, LLC
14350 North 87th Street, Suite 200
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 366-4131

Feature Articles

If you are a chain retailer take this opportunity to share your story and promote your business. Articles should run between 400 and 800 words. Topics should, in general, discuss expansion plans, new retail concepts, what set you apart from your peers or what makes you successful.

Articles will be posted for at least one week and will then be placed in the Editorial Archives. All articles submitted will be read and considered but we cannot guarantee publication. Each published article will carry the submitters byline (if desired) and is a free service to our community.

Article ideas and suggestions are also always welcomed. Contact PVS@PlainVanillaShell.com