Hand and Stone franchisees Fred and Steve Vicario featured in the Courier Post

A great article called “No-frills approach to spa pampering,” published Sunday, Sept. 15 in the Courier Post in which Fred and Steve Vicario, franchisees and regional developers of Hand & Stone, were interviewed. It discusses multiple facets of Hand & Stone including Hand & Stone’s model, the customer benefits of getting a monthly massage service, the breadth of services like waxing and facials, the growth of Hand & Stone in South Jersey, and the franchise opportunity. Check out a portion of the article below or read the full story here.

No-frills approach to spa pampering
By EILEEN SMITH • Courier-Post Staff • September 5, 2010

EVESHAM — At Hand & Stone, the spa concept has been massaged to make the price of pampering more accessible.

There are no fluffy white robes, no showers, no lounge with cucumber water and fashion magazines.

"Our clients want to come in, get a service and get on with their busy lives," says Steve Vicario, who owns the spa at Green Tree Plaza with his brother, Fred.

One in four American adults -- 24 percent -- got a massage last year, according to "American Spa Industry Insider," a trade publication.

Hand & Stone franchises grew 30 percent in 2009, capitalizing on cheap rents and other incentives offered by landlords amid a glut of vacant commercial space.

"We have been able to reduce start-up costs by as much as $100,000," says Vicario, 37. "That's part of the reason we are growing so quickly." (Read More)