Looking beyond the venue of a one-on-one massage practice has been a huge education, and provides a glimpse of the trends in the massage therapy future.
Where once massage therapy focused on an independent practice, or clinical application, the neighborhood has grown, the market has shifted and massage practitioners ponder multiple streams of income to supplement future massage business growth.
A number of massage related products, expansion opportunities, as well as massage practitoner support professions have popped up along the path and one avenue that is perhaps a natural progression for massage therapists wanting more income is franchising.
Most of us have heard about various massage franchises already such as Massage Envy, n8touch, or Zen Massage. There are interesting opinions on what may come of the corporate approach to massage work, though suffice it to say that these franchises are ALREADY making money.
Isn't it at least worth a conversation about what potential this massage income avenue may hold for massage business futures?
The first questions that comes to mind is, Can these franchises be financially successful? Can they be affordable? Can they produce enough income to warrant the effort and investment?
The second question that comes to mind is, If not . . . why are there so many?
The massage trend research continues and ideas abound, yet I felt compelled to generate some conversation on the topic. I'm open to comments either pro or con, and wonder what anyone, even non-massage-therapists think of this trend.
Below are listed some of the franchise opportunities I've found available, but admittedly know little about any one of these companies.
If you have had any experiences you'd like to share please add a comment.
In the interim, I listed a few of the franchise opportunities and info that can be found on the web.
Massage Franchises:
Elements / Hand and Stone / Keep in Touch / LaVida / Massage Envy / Massage Heights / Michelle Lea / n8Touch / Woodhouse Day Spa / Zen Massage Center
Chair Massage Franchises:
Body Charge / Go Massage / Joy Life Chair Massage / Stress Less Chair Massage / Zubio
Massage Chair Franchise:
These franchises are reportedly paying very low. Clients, those that love and appreciate good bodywork, tend to know that you get what you pay for. These franchises are looking to cash in on monthly payment systems such as those at the local gym. Sign here, pay a few months, etc.
This method works, and I imagine it brings in clients who may not have gone to the non-franchise therapist, however, it is a slippery slope, because the likelihood of an above average massage therapist working at one of these franchises is probably slim. My hope is that the good experiences will outweigh the negative and massage therapy in general will benefit from the mass marketing franchising has the potential to provide.
Posted by: J. Vaughn, LMT | September 03, 2008 at 06:50 AM
I have been wondering about the future of the massage profession too with all of these franchises opening up. When I first started 20 years ago there weren't any jobs and I didn't want one or know any massage therapist who did want one.
Today I get many more younger people looking into massage because they hear that it is such an emerging profession.
It will be these people who are taking those jobs at massage franchises along with those who just could never make it in business themselves.
Some of the franchises are taking advantage of massage therapists by paying them such low wages and they don't realize how much a good massage therapist could make or break their business.
Massage therapists who take low paying jobs are teaching massage employers how to treat massage therapists and are adding to the problem but they probably just need a job.
I have some information in my massage therapy job center section on my website that will hopefully help those who are thinking of getting jobs at these massage franchises.
I'd really love to know what others think of the whole franchise thing.
Julie
Posted by: Julie | July 14, 2008 at 02:09 PM