Hand and Stone featured in the Sunday edition of The Courier-Post

Hand and Stone was featured in an excellent article in the Sunday edition of The Courier-Post entitled, “In the right hands: Cancer inspires woman to open spa.” In this 3-page feature article, Denise McQuillan shares her inspiring personal story about surviving breast cancer and opening up her own spa as a result of the ordeal. Denise talks about how massage was a huge source of relief for her during cancer treatments, and inspired her to become a Hand & Stone franchisee once she recovered. Todd Leff and Fred Vicario weigh in on Denise’s qualities as a franchisee, and why she makes for a perfect candidate. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

In the right hands: Cancer inspires woman to open spa
By KARYN D. COLLINS

Denise McQuillan had always worked in the corporate business world.

She was a numbers cruncher, doing accounting outsourcing for BNY Mellon Financial. She was good at it, had always been good at numbers. And, while it maybe wasn't the most personally fulfilling work, McMcQuillan said she was happy. Life was good for her, her husband and their two daughters. The couple, who live in Mullica Hill, even ran a couple of franchises of a tanning salon on the side.

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

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Hand & Stone featured in Advance for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine

Hand & Stone was featured in Advance for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine February edition. The article focuses on how massage has become an extension of physical therapy in an article titled “A Market for Massage: How physical therapists have integrated massage therapy into their careers.” Founder of Hand & Stone John Marco explains how his background in physical therapy helped him pursue an entrepreneurial career in massage therapy. Click here to view the full article!

A Market for Massage: How physical therapists have integrated massage therapy into their careers
By BRIAN W. FERRIE

Massage Therapy

Massage has long been recognized as a beneficial treatment to relieve muscle tension and provide general relaxation of body and mind. But what correlation does massage have to physical therapy? To learn their thoughts on the topic, ADVANCE spoke to PTs on both coasts who have embraced massage in different ways.

Neil Bastian, PT, LMT, owner and founder of Bastian Physical Therapy in Lake Oswego, OR, became a licensed massage therapist in 1985 before earning his physical therapy degree in 1989.

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Alternative Medicine Becomes Mainstream: Spa Franchise Provides Massage For The Masses

Hand & Stone Opens Doors in Mays Landing; To Relax, Rejuvenate Community with Top-Tier Cost Efficient Model

Looking to double its store count nationwide by the end of 2011, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa will open in Mays Landing on January 31 at 4215 Black Horse Pike, bringing its total spa count to eleven in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area.

“We see Mays Landing as a prime market for our brand’s development,” said Todd Leff, CEO and President of Hand & Stone. “We are pleased to have Mitchell Sands join our system and lead our brand with top-tier services and integrity in Mays Landing.”

Proving that massage therapy isn't just for the rich and famous anymore, the new Hand & Stone will erase what once was considered a penchant of the affluent by offering services to all levels of consumers.

Coming from a background in automobiles, motorcycles and insurance, Mitchell Sands has worked in a variety of different industries. Now, he says, he is ready to take a new direction in the massage industry where he has seen firsthand people’s passion for the job. “I look forward to working with people who not only have a passion for their career, but also enjoy bringing pleasure and relaxation to other people,” Sands says.

This will not be the only Hand and Stone location Sands will open. Native to Washington Township, Sands owns the rights to develop multiple Hand & Stone locations in Washington Township and once the May’s Landing location becomes established, he projects to open another in Rio Grande.

Launched in 2005 by John Marco, a physical therapist with 20 years of experience, Hand & Stone’s mission is to bring massage therapy to the masses. Clients enjoy the treatment, but "most aren't just coming for the indulgence," Leff said. "They're coming for stress reduction and pain relief, and many on the suggestion of their doctors."

Under the new provisions of the recently-passed health care bill, alternative medical procedures, including massages from licensed therapists at spas like Hand & Stone, are being taken more seriously by the traditional medical community. According to Leff, about 75 percent of health savings account plans and HMOs will now reimburse patients for massage therapy if their doctor writes a formal prescription. Ailments worthy of that prescription include muscle and joint pain, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (commonly known as TMJ), and stress. According to the 2010 AMTA Industry Report massage use among older Baby Boomers (ages 55-64) has doubled in the past ten years and use among those older than 65 has tripled during that same time.

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as 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 end up paying around $60 per visit.

The average customer isn't a wealthy socialite with nothing better to do; she's a 42-year-old female with an annual household income of $65,000, has children and loves to shop at Target and Kohls. With that busy, overscheduled lifestyle, it’s not surprising that the number one reason clients visit Hand and Stone is for stress reduction. Hand & Stone's clientele is roughly 70 percent female, 30 percent male, with an increasing number of male patrons.

As massage spas become more mainstream in the health care industry, Hand & Stone stays at the top of the game by adding locations and services to keep the brand fresh. That strategy has proven to be successful, as the addition of facials and waxing to the services roster has boosted the average comparable store sales by over 40 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. After awarding a record 40 new franchises in 2010, Leff expects to sign another 50 new franchisees to the Hand & Stone system this year, each one investing a total of around $325,000, including franchise fees, to outfit a suburban, strip-mall location with space for at least 10 massage rooms.

"Twenty-two percent of Americans got a massage in 2009, and that figure is growing. As massage becomes a more integrated part of health care, we see this business achieving even wider-spread growth and longevity," said Leff.

Hand and Stone featured in ABC 15's "Sonoran Living"

Hand & Stone’s Arizona regional developer Maggie Brown, who has become the area’s local massage expert, was featured in an excellent segment about Valentine’s Day massages on ABC 15’s “Sonoran Living.” Along with the video, ABC 15 featured an article on Hand and Stone entitled "Valentine's special at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa." Click here to view the article and video!

Valentine's special at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa

What is the primary reason for getting a massage or facial? For many, it's simply for relaxation. While that's certainly valid, there are many more benefits to consider regarding regular massages and facials.

The Power of Touch
More people today than ever before undergo massage therapy. In fact, studies have found that there are healing benefits from massage therapy for people of all ages - ranging from babies to the elderly.

(Read More)

Alternative Medicine Becomes Mainstream: Spa Franchise Provides Massage For The Masses

Hand & Stone Opens Doors in St. Louis; To Relax, Rejuvenate Community with Top-Tier, Cost Efficient Model

Looking to double its store count nationwide by the end of 2011, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa will open its first location of the year in the St. Louis suburb of Des Pere, at 1070-1074 N. Ballas Road on February 7.

“We see the St. Louis metro area as a prime market for our brand’s development,” said Todd Leff, CEO and President of Hand & Stone. “We are pleased to have Christy and Tony Burke join our system and lead our brand with top-tier services and integrity in the St. Louis area.”

Proving that massage therapy isn't just for the rich and famous anymore, the new Hand & Stone will erase what once was considered a penchant of the affluent by offering services to all consumers.

“Tony and I are thrilled about opening this spa together. Our future customers will love the upscale look and feel of our spa at a fraction of the cost,” said Des Peres franchisee Christy Burke. “Not only will they enjoy the relaxation time at Hand & Stone, but they will soon realize the health benefits of regular massage use too.”

Local residents of the St. Louis metro region, collectively Christy and Tony Burke have years of experience in management and business ownership, so while they recognize the difficulty of opening a business in this economy, they’re ready for the challenge. The Burkes don’t plan on just stopping at one location in the area, their future plans call for another four to five locations over the next several years with every member of their family contributing to the new spa’s success including their four children.

Launched in 2005 by John Marco, a physical therapist with 20 years of experience, Hand & Stone’s mission is to bring massage therapy to the masses. Clients enjoy the treatment, but "most aren't just coming for the indulgence," Leff said. "They're coming for stress reduction and pain relief, and many on the suggestion of their doctors."

Under the new provisions of the recently-passed health care bill, alternative medical procedures, including massages from licensed therapists at spas like Hand & Stone, are being taken more seriously by the traditional medical community. According to Leff, about 75 percent of health savings account plans and HMOs will now reimburse patients for massage therapy if their doctor writes a formal prescription. Ailments worthy of that prescription include muscle and joint pain, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (commonly known as TMJ), and stress. According to the 2010 AMTA Industry Report massage use among older Baby Boomers (ages 55-64) has doubled in the past ten years and use among those older than 65 has tripled during that same time.

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as 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 end up paying around $60 per visit.

The average customer isn't a wealthy socialite with nothing better to do, she's a 42-year-old female with an annual household income of $65,000, has children and loves to shop at Target and Kohls. With that busy, overscheduled lifestyle, it’s not surprising that the number one reason clients visit Hand and Stone is for stress reduction. Hand & Stone's clientele is roughly 70 percent female, 30 percent male, with an increasing number of male patrons.

As massage spas become more mainstream in the health care industry, Hand & Stone stays at the top of the game by adding locations and services to keep the brand fresh. That strategy has proven to be successful, as the addition of facials and waxing to the services roster has boosted the average comparable store sales by over 40 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. After awarding a record 40 new franchises in 2010, Leff expects to sign another 50 new franchisees to the Hand & Stone system this year, each one investing a total of around $325,000, including franchise fees, to outfit a suburban, strip-mall location with space for at least 10 massage rooms.

"Twenty-two percent of Americans got a massage in 2009, and that figure is growing. As massage becomes a more integrated part of health care, we see this business achieving even wider-spread growth and longevity," said Leff.

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa to Open in Non-Traditional Location; Geared to Allure Vacationers and Local Residents Alike

Looking to double its store count nationwide by the end of 2011, Hand & Stone is the first membership-based massage and facial services franchise to tap into locations that have typically been reserved for high-end spa experiences. Recently, Hand & Stone announced it is opening a location at The Club at Morristown, an exclusive fitness club located at Headquarters Plaza in Morristown, New Jersey. Headquarters Plaza is a multi-function commercial complex featuring the newly renovated Hyatt Morristown full service hotel, three office towers with over 600,000 sq ft of office space and the exclusive The Club fitness club.

“Over the past two years, we’ve been focused on educating consumers on the health benefits of massage which lead to more consistent massage use,” said Todd Leff, CEO of Hand & Stone. “We believe our new location at Headquarters Plaza will be a tremendous benefit to The Club, the Hyatt and Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa as we will attract business and leisure guests staying at the hotel as well as members of the fitness club so that it will become a destination for a larger audience who wishes to utilize massage and facial services consistently for its health benefits.”

Alain Goulet, the new franchisee of the Morristown location, is optimistic that the opening will produce wonderful results. “This location creates a new direction for Hand & Stone,” said Leff. “We’ve got our traditional retail locations and newer options for nontraditional locations like this.”

As large scale expansion plans are under way, Hand & Stone looks to mirror this projected success. “As we continue to discover new ways to grow, we have our eye on ways we can expand the business opportunities to new Hand & Stone franchisees,” said Leff. “We expect to see business professionals stopping in on their lunch hour for a Swedish massage; and at the same time vacationing couples looking to for that great spa getaway experience.”

Proving that spa services aren’t just for the rich and famous anymore, the new Hand & Stone locations will erase what once was considered a penchant of the affluent by offering services to all levels of consumers.

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as 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 end up paying around $60 per visit.

As massage spas become more mainstream in the health care industry, Hand & Stone stays at the top of the game by adding locations and services to keep the brand fresh. That strategy has proven to be successful, as the addition of facials and waxing to the services roster has boosted the average comparable store sales by over 40 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. After awarding a record 40 new franchises in 2010, Leff expects to sign another 50 new franchisees to the Hand & Stone system this year, each one investing a total of around $325,000.