Massage Therapy Franchise Reports 20 Percent Year-Over-Year Growth, Celebrates 100th

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HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo., Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --*When Michele Merhib opened her 700 sq. ft. massage studio in Aurora, CO in 2002, she didn't dream that the business would become one of the fastest growing franchises in the $20 billion massage category. Elements Therapeutic Massage, the only massage franchise in the United States founded by a Licensed Massage Technician, opened its 100[SUP]th[/SUP] studio this week in Geneva, IL. Since the launch of the franchise opportunity in 2006, Elements studios have seen strong same store sales increases. Even in a down economy, average studio revenues grew 20 percent in 2011 compared to the prior year.*
Elements has carved a niche in an increasingly competitive industry by specializing solely in massage services and providing a highly customized experience to each client. Company executives attribute healthy sales gains to a growing customer base that returns for unmatched massage therapy sessions. According to a recent study from Trajectory Research of 829 massage users, Elements clients reported more than 50 percent higher satisfaction*levels than users of independent massage providers or other major franchise massage brands.
"We are focused on providing customized massages to every client – we serve the client with the right technique and right pressure instead of the same cookie-cutter massages over and over that we see in the industry," said Jeff Jervik, CEO and President with Elements Therapeutic Massage. "Our business was founded on the healing benefits of massage, and time and again, aspiring entrepreneurs join our system because they understand the growth potential in the health and wellness industry and the positive impact they can have on others' lives."
The company's unprecedented growth comes at a time when many franchise prospects struggle to secure financing and franchisors are forced to close underperforming stores. According to the International Franchise Association, the number of franchises in the U.S. fell by nearly 5 percent between 2008 and 2011. Meanwhile, Elements has awarded franchise agreements for an additional 150 studios that will create approximately 3,000 new jobs for massage therapists, studio managers and client services specialists.****
Once viewed as an expensive splurge, Elements is making therapeutic massage increasingly affordable and available to time-starved consumers who recognize the value of massage in maintaining their overall health and wellness. For potential franchisees, Elements boasts a lower investment and cost structure with a smaller footprint, less build-out and lower rent than competitors in the massage retail space, making the franchise more operationally efficient. Elements is the only massage franchise to share certain gross profit information in its Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
The success of the Elements business model, coupled with a pipeline of strong, business-savvy franchise prospects, have allowed the company to circumvent the credit crunch, and an increasing percentage of owners are securing SBA loans in order to finance their start-ups. Elements is rapidly expanding into new markets and regions of the country, including throughout New Jersey, Texas, Illinois, Arizona, and California. In New Jersey alone, Elements will open eight studios by the end of the year, with 12 additional to open their doors in 2013.**
*Based on studios open for at least 1 year as of January 1, 2011
About Elements Therapeutic Massage, Inc.
Elements Therapeutic Massage is headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and owned by Fitness Together Holdings, Inc. The parent company oversees Fitness Together Franchise Corporation, a one-on-one personal training fitness franchise that began franchising in 1996, and Elements Therapeutic Massage, a massage therapy franchise that began franchising in 2006. Today, the combined franchise network has sold hundreds of franchises across the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica, Israel, Ireland, and Canada. Elements Therapeutic Massage is actively selling franchises, for more information about massage franchise opportunities, visit www.elementsfranchise.com.**