Hand & Stone in The Oklahoman

Hand & Stone was featured in The Oklahoman. Following RadioShack's recent bankruptcy announcement and its closing of more than 1,700 stores around the country, chains looking to expand - like massage and spa chain Hand & Stone are swooping in to buy the prime spots RadioShack's been holding. This story was picked up from the San Francisco Business Journal.

Read the article here. 

Hand & Stone featured in San Francisco Business Journal

Hand & Stone was featured in San Francisco Business Journal. With the recent bankruptcy of RadioShack, franchises are looking to move into their real estate spaces. Hand & Stone is one of the company’s looking into the existing spaces. This move, makes health and wellness services like massage and yoga desirable to fill the holes where RadioShack was. Find out more about the potential real estate for Hand & Stone and what Hand & Stone CEO Todd Leff has to say.

Read the full article here. 

Hand & Stone in The Bedford Journal

Hand & Stone was features in The Bedford Journal. The article announces the opening of the massage and facial spa, and includes quotes from Hand & Stone CEO Todd Leff and Gus Barillas, a franchisee.

Read the full article here. 

Hand & Stone on PENN Live

We were featured on the online version of PENN Live. The article was a feature piece on Hand &Stone Massage and Facial Spa opening in the Harrisburg, Penn., area and expanding into central Pennsylvania. Todd Leff, president and CEO of Hand & Stone talked about the opening and what Harrisburg residence can expect from the new location.

Read the full article here.

Spa franchise Hand & Stone continues to expand since moving corporate offices in Hamilton

By Mike Davis/The Times 
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on February 16, 2014 at 7:10 AM

HAMILTON — They started out in towns near the Jersey Shore, small day spas offering massages to people on the go.

Within a few years, they’d become hot spots in the New York and Philadelphia markets.

Now, there are nearly 150 Hand & Stone locations throughout the United States and Canada. Like many other businesses looking to spread their name far and wide, Hand & Stone operates as a franchise business, allowing individual investors to own and operate one or more stores.

“Using a franchise model for development of a brand is tremendous for a business with low capital,” Hand & Stone president and chief executive officer Todd Leff said last week. “You have franchisees use their capital to help grow the distribution and breadth of the brand.”

“And of course, they profit from that. It’s their own business,” Leff said.

In 2005, chief operating officer John Marco founded Hand & Stone in Toms River after years as a physical therapist. Within five years, the business expanded to more than 40 franchise locations and has more than tripled that number since then, operating 145 locations.

Leff, who became CEO in 2010 after working as CEO for Cottman and AAMCO Transmissions, attributed the success to a changing business model to attract a changing customer base. As the job market went south, Leff said, the company switched from a long-term membership contract to smaller month-to-month commitments and began offering simple day services, such as facials and waxing. Facials quickly became the fastest growing sector of Hand & Stone’s business, Leff said.

“We positioned the brand as a health and wellness business,” Leff said. “People wouldn’t spend $2,000 or $3,000 on a vacation where they could get a massage, but they might spend $50 or $60 on health and wellness. We had to make adjustments.”

Continued strategic growth is the goal in the future, Leff said. He projected between 50 and 60 new spas to open up each year but only with thoroughly vetted franchisees and in areas prime for growth.

New Jersey has been one of the fastest growing markets for Hand & Stone, which hit more than $90 million in sales in 2013, but the brand also has taken off in Houston, Dallas, Denver and south Florida.

But it takes a lot of scouting before opening up in new markets, Leff said. For example, before committing to bringing Hand & Stone to the Atlanta area, the company will seek a franchisee willing to open between five and 10 locations. With multiple locations, the company can advertise on television and ensure viewers have a Hand & Stone within driving distance.

“It’s hard to support locations that are far out in the field and we need to have a concentration of stores in any given TV market,” Leff said.

In 2015, the business could grow even more with the help of a $10 million “franchise fund” from Benetrends, a firm that provides loans and consults with small business owners on how to develop or expand their business and how to fund it.

The “franchise funding” will streamline the process for franchisees looking to open a Hand & Stone location, having already pre-approved the Hand & Stone product and business model.

“One of the biggest concerns of people deciding whether to buy a franchise is having sufficient capital and getting funded,” Leff said.

“This takes a lot of the worry away from them. If the candidate meets some pretty objective requirements, they’re basically guaranteed funding. That takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process and a lot of fear away from the franchisees.”

Contact Mike Davis at (609) 989-5708 or mdavis@njtimes.com.

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2014/02/spa_franchise_hand_stone_continues_to_expand_since_moving_corporate_offices_in_hamilton.html 

Hand & Stone Developer of the Year Erik Bostrom Drives Expansion in Colorado

Massage and Facial Franchise Strengthens Presence in Colorado with Eight Locations Expected to be Open by End-of-Year

Hamilton, NJ – Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa (Hand & Stone), one of the fastest growing spa franchises in the country, is proud to announce the plans to have a total of eight spa locations open in Colorado by the end of 2013. The new locations will be owned by a series of local owners throughout the Denver-area and the development is through the hard work of regional developer Erik Bostrom, winner of the brand’s 2013 Developer of the Year Award.

Bostrom, Regional Developer for Hand & Stone’s Colorado market, exemplifies the brand’

s ability to attract passionate entrepreneurs who are eager to grow the franchise and expand the reach of its health-focused services. To date, Bostrom, who joined the brand in 2008 to focus on growth, has already helped to opened six spas and has signed a total of 13 units.

“We’re on target to exceed our growth plans for the Colorado region. Our goal was to open three locations this year – we have already doubled that number and will triple it by the end of 2013,” said Bostrom. “Colorado is home to many residents who live active and healthy lifestyles, which has been conducive to our growth.”

At only 34 years old, Bostrom has been instrumental in Hand & Stone’s franchise development in Colorado. As Regional Developer, he is responsible for working with potential franchisees to help them become acquainted with Hand & Stone and walk them through the process of opening a spa in the state.

The new Colorado openings will contribute to Hand & Stone’s overall growth for 2013. System wide sales are expected to reach $90 million and a total of 25 more spas are expected to open across the nation by year-end.

“We want to continue to seek out the most aggressive entrepreneurs to help us expand in new and existing markets, create more jobs and provide opportunities to those who dream of running a successful business,” Todd Leff, President and CEO of the brand, said. “Our business is one that provides peace and tranquility to clients who want to detach from their often stressful lives. We are able to help our customers achieve this relaxation because of the passionate franchisees that we have on board at Hand & Stone.”

Leff also credits the company’s positive progress with the franchise’s emphasis on quality customer service and extensive menu of healthy lifestyle options. Hand & Stone has set itself apart from competitors by offering customizable and affordable massages and facials.

ABOUT HAND & STONE
Hand & Stone is a 125-plus unit massage and facial spa with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses. Launched in 2005 by a passionate physical therapist, John Marco and now led by franchise veteran Todd Leff, Hand & Stone now has locations in 17 states and Canada. For more information on Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.

Hand & Stone Celebrates Strong Growth and Outstanding Franchisees

Massage and Facial Franchise Wraps Up First Three Quarters of 2013 with Stellar Growth Figures and Celebrates Top-Performing Franchisees

Hamilton, NJ – Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spas (Hand & Stone), one of the fastest growing spa franchises in the country, continues its momentum of solid growth with system wide sales projected to hit $90 million for 2013 and 15 more stores expected to open by year-end. The chain now has 125 open locations and has awarded 60 new franchises so far this year – a company record.

Proving that the thriving brand has made a name for itself as a top leader in the industry, Hand & Stone has established four or more stores in 12 different markets. The franchise’s presence is particularly strong in the Philadelphia DMA, with 31 locations currently in full operation, and in the New York DMA, which is home to another 29 Hand & Stone spas.

Todd Leff, President and CEO of the brand, credits the company’s positive progress with the franchise’s emphasis on quality customer service and the extensive menu of healthy lifestyle options. By offering customizable and affordable massages, facials and hair removal, Hand & Stone has continued to set itself apart from competitors and positioned itself for success in 2014. 

“Our unstoppable growth can be attributed to our ability to attract quality franchisees who share our passion for delivering the highest level of service we offer customers,” Leff said. “Despite tough economic times, our numbers show that people love our services. With our affordability and convenience we are actually growing the demand for services in each new market we enter.”

While Americans across the nation are increasingly embracing healthier lifestyles, the fastest growing markets for the Hand & Stone brand have been in Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL; Dallas/Ft Worth, TX; South Florida, and New Jersey.

In recognition of the franchisees that have contributed to the successful expansion of the health-focused franchise, with over 300 franchisees and team members in attendance, Hand & Stone recently honored its leading franchisees at its 2013 National Conference held in Atlantic City NJ October 15-17^th.

Hand & Stone 2013 Conference Awards winners include:

·         Rookie of the Year Award (First Year Highest Achievement): Langhorne, PA

·         Face Forward Award (Leading Facial Service Space): Huntington, NY

·         Fast Track Award (Top Performing New Spa): Phoughkeepsie, NY

·         Stoney Award (Leading Hot Stone Massage Spa): Puyallup, WA

·         The “Spa-tacular” Spa of the Year (Highest  Achieving Hand and Stone Spa): Marlton, NJ

·         Founders Award (Passion for Excellence): Paul and Maria Cermatori (Spring Lake, NJ) and Skip Papanikolas and Maggie Brown (Scottsdale, AZ)

“These awards showcase our tremendous franchisees and the achievements that Hand & Stone team members have made,” Leff said. “We value each and every one of our franchisees and want to show our appreciation of their commitment to the brand.”

Leff, a 54-year-old franchise veteran, became President of Hand & Stone in July of 2009 and immediately embarked upon an ambitious nationwide expansion, attracting more and more potential franchisees with his palpable enthusiasm for the brand. Since taking over, the company has opened 100 new locations in just four years and expanded into new territories such as Maryland, Missouri, Virginia, Texas, Illinois, South Carolina, and California.

“We want to continue to seek out the most aggressive entrepreneurs to help us identify and expand into new markets, create more jobs and provide opportunities to those who dream of running a successful business,” Leff said. “Our business is one that provides peace and wellness to clients who want to detach from their often stressful lives. We are able to help our customers achieve this relaxation because of the passionate franchisees that we have on board at Hand & Stone.”

ABOUT HAND & STONE
Hand & Stone is a 125-plus unit massage and facial spa with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses. Launched in 2005 by a passionate physical therapist, John Marco and now led by franchise veteran Todd Leff, Hand & Stone now has locations in 17 states and Canada. For more information on Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.

Hand and Stone Featured in NJBIZ

Hand and Stone was recently featured in an article on NJBIZ titled, "Massage Chain Continues Aggressive Expansion in New Jersey." The article discusses the brand's overall concept and explains what differentiates Hand & Stone from any competitors in the area. Todd Leff explains why and how Hand & Stone has seen such tremendous growth, success and expansion within the last year, leading the brand to outcompete competitors. Todd also expands on the specific future development plans for New Jersey. Kelly & Joe Harris opened the newest location in Glassboro.

"Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa locations are popping up all over New Jersey. Since the company was formed in 2005, it has grown to 100 locations in 18 states and Canada, with 25 of those spas in New Jersey. The company said three locations have opened in New Jersey since the start of 2013, and seven to 10 more are slated to open by year’s end.

“The fact that we have had year-over-year growth in sales and membership base is gratifying for us at a time when other businesses are struggling for sales,” CEO Todd Leff said. “Our most successful locations are in New Jersey due to the right demographic. We have great support from our customer base here.”

The company employs a clustered approach to growth, saturating a market with multiple locations, along with radio and television advertising, before moving on to the next market. With executives confident South Jersey is nearly covered, the company is now focusing on moving northward."

Read the full article here. 

Hand and Stone Featured in New Jersey's Trenton Times

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Trenton Times in an article title, ‘Hamilton-based Hand & Stone proves to be a hit across state, nation.’ Todd Leff, CEO of Hand & Stone discussed the unprecedented growth of the company since joining the system. Looking to grow the system after a brief retirement, Leff has led the company from 25 locations to nearly 100 and the system now has over 2,500 employees. Between the low-cost model and the membership style, Hand & Stone has really found its niche, fitting into just about every market across the United States.

"Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa franchisee Umesh Bhatia says the economic downturn has been great for his business. People turn to massage the way they do to other instant comforts. "It's like drinking. You drink when you're happy and you drink more when you're unhappy. Regardless of what you do today, stress is at an all-time high and it's not getting any better," he said. Bhatia and his wife opened their franchise in the East Windsor Village Shopping Center on Black Friday in 2011 and he said he has already met all of his financial expectations. He said he credits his success, and the success of the company, to people's growing desire for a sense of well-being. 

The Hand and Stone Franchise Corp. almost doubled the size of its operations in 2012 and reached $55 million in sales, according to a company release. The first Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa opened in Toms River in 2004 and the company now has 97 locations across the United States. This year 44 new U.S. locations and five in Canada will open. The company is headquartered in Hamilton, and president and CEO Todd Leff said that is no coincidence."

Read the full article here.

Hand & Stone Has Much to Celebrate with 2012 Success

As Americans continue to invest in healthy lifestyles, Hand & Stone continues to enjoy immense success as the brand opened 31 new locations and signed 56 new deals in 2012. Additionally, spa level sales for the system reached $55 million, an 83% growth in system wide revenue over 2011, capping off a year of remarkable growth despite a tough economy.   At the end of 2012, the system featured 97 locations across the United States and Canada and employed approximately 2,500 team members system wide.

Todd Leff, President and CEO, says the company’s emphasis on quality customer service combined with a full menu of healthy lifestyle options for massage and facials and an affordable month to month price have positioned the brand for continued growth in an era where many businesses are closing. As a result of this growing demand, Hand & Stone has plans to open a total of 49 new locations in 2013. They expect at least 44 new locations in the U.S. and five to seven locations in Canada as the company continually eyes new opportunities in international markets.

Leff himself is a believer, having invested in the company after a brief attempt to retire. The successful 52-year-old franchise veteran became President of Hand & Stone in July of 2009 and immediately embarked upon an ambitious nationwide expansion. Since taking over, the company has quadrupled its size and been able to expand into new territories such as Maryland, Missouri, Virginia, Texas, Illinois, South Carolina, and California. “People tend to look at our services as an investment in themselves, something that is almost a necessity because it helps them achieve a peace of mind even if it’s just for an hour or two,” said Leff. “We want to continue to seek out the most aggressive entrepreneurs to help us identify and expand into new markets, create more jobs and provide opportunities to those who dream of running a successful business.”

“As we continue to enter new markets in 2013, we are thrilled at the opportunity to introduce even more people to our affordable healthy lifestyle services,” continued Leff. “The future is certainly bright for Hand& Stone.”

Hand & Stone Featured in Phoenix Business Journal

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Phoenix Business Journal where regional developer, Maggie Brown and CEO, Todd Leff, shared the track record for success the brand has established in the Phoenix-area. With the sixth opening in the market and three more planned for 2013, the brand has the potential to reach at least 23 total locations. With the industry reaching $13.4 billion in 2011, this spa shows no signs of slowing down, projecting another 50 locations to be opened in 2013.

"'Even in a rough economy this is something that people do for themselves,' said Maggie Brown, the spa chain's regional developer for Arizona. Brown owns the franchise rights in Arizona and also runs two of the six Valley locations. She has plans to open upward of 23 Hand & Stone stores in Arizona, with the Biltmore area of Phoenix high on the list of potential spots. Brown also mentioned she is researching Chandler, Gilbert, Flagstaff, Prescott and Tucson." 

The article goes on to say that Brown cites Phoenix's status as a popular travel destination for the popularity of the spa. She has made arrangements with several area hotels to refer visitors to Hand and Stone for spa services during their stay. 

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Hand & Stone Featured in The Trentonian

Hand & Stone was recently featured in an article in The Trentonian titled, "Hamilton-based Hand & Stone Spa Thriving." The article focuses on the tremendous growth of the Hand & Stone franchise over the past few years. CEO Todd Leff discusses the unprecedented growth of the massage and facial spa during 2012, its double digit growth, and the 97 Hand & Stone locations now open across the country.

"The downturn in the economy caused many industries to lose their financial ground, causing deep cuts into revenue streams and high unemployment rates. But there is one industry that continued to thrive despite the dismal days of economic slumber. An enterprising business focused on health, well-being and that which was once designated only for the rich, is now affordable, accessible and growing; and, the Hand & Stone Spa is a perfect example of bringing luxury to the masses.

'For $50 you can escape for an hour with a massage or a facial,' said Todd Leff, the Chief Executive Officer of Hand & Stone. 'Some cannot invest in a big grand vacation right now, but people have fifty bucks to invest into their health and well-being, and it is convenient and affordable.'"

To read the entire article, click here.

Hand & Stone CEO Todd Leff on CBS Philly

Hand & Stone's President and CEO Todd Leff dropped by CBS3 Let's Talk Philly on Friday.  He dropped off gifts during the Salvation Army's Joy of Sharing gift drive.  In total, the Joy of Sharing campaign collected more than 5,000 toys for youngsters in need throughout the Delaware Valley region.  Todd spoke about the growing number of Hand & Stone locations in the Delaware Valley and the importance of giving back during the holidays.

Click here to watch the segment or click on the video below.

Hand & Stone Featured in The Intelligencer

Hand & Stone was recently featured in The Intelligencer in an article titled, "Helping Hands."  The article focused on Hand & Stone’s presence in Delaware Valley, PA. Specifically the article talked about Howard Turetzky and Howard McClurd’s new Hand & Stone located in Langhorne. Further, the article discussed Howard McClurd’s and Howard Turetzky’s entrepreneurial story, and also talked about why they decided to franchise with Hand & Stone. Todd Leff discussed the presence of the brand in Pennsylvania and the success that the brand has seen in the Delaware Valley area.  For the entire article click here or begin below.


Helping Hands
By: Crissa Shoemaker DeBree

For 18 years, Howard Turetzky and Howard McClurd sought to help others through their medical supply business, which specialized in pain management and orthopedics.

Greg and Maripat Mowry spent their careers in corporate America.

Today, all four work to help make others feel better in a completely different way: through massage.

(Read More)

Hand & Stone Featured in Star-Ledger

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Star-Ledger in an article titled, "Three questions: His job is to help other people relax."  This article profiles Hand & Stone CEO, Todd Leff, who shared a bit of his entrepreneurial journey from federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice in Philadelphia, being the president of Cottman Transmission and AAMCO, taking a short retirement and then being seated as CEO with Hand & Stone. What intrigued Leff about the massage industry was how Hand & Stone was really revolutionizing the industry with its monthly membership price, accessibility and affordable cost bring massage to the masses. Hand & Stone offered Leff a new project to help the concept grow throughout the United States and in just under two years, the franchise system doubled the number of units and has over 70 locations.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Three Questions: His job is to help other people relax

By:  Sarah Schillaci

Todd Leff may not have been ready for a life of leisure, but he’s been able to put his business knowledge to work in the relaxation industry.

After a short-lived retirement in 2009, the Warrington, Pa., resident re-entered the workplace to serve as president and CEO of Hand & Stone, a Hamilton Township-based chain of day spas offering massage, facials, and waxing. Leff, leading the marketing, franchise development, and finance side of the company, has seen the number of spa locations nearly double in the past two years, to more than 70 nationwide.

(Read More)

Hand & Stone featured in Newsday

Hand & Stone was recently featured in Newsday in an article titled, "Hand & Stone spa to open in Levittown." The article features Todd Leff and franchisee Paul Mahler and discusses the 70^th location of Hand & Stone opening in the Nassau Mall in Levittown at the end of March. Paul, the owner of Hand & Stone Levittown, discusses why he decided to transition from his law job at Malen & Associates to owning his own massage business. In addition, Todd shared the development goals for Long Island, with 10 outlets planned to be open in the next two years. Click here to view the entire article.

Hand & Stone spa to open in Levittown
By: James Bernstein
Hands-on businesses are growing on Long Island these days,especially the massage business.

Two companies -- Hand & Stone and Massage Envy -- are opening franchise operations, one after another, their executives say.

The newest to come to town is a Hand & Stone spa that will open at the end of this month at the Nassau Mall in Levittown. Paul Mahler, 40, an attorney and Melville volunteer firefighter, paid $39,000 for the franchise, which will operate in a 2,250- square-foot space and employ 17 people, including eight massage therapists. Mahler gave up a law job at the Westbury firm Malen & Associates, where he had worked 11 years.

Did he have butterflies?

(Read More)
 

Hand & Stone featured on BlogTalkRadio Franchise Interviews

Hand & Stone was recently featured on BlogTalkRadio.com on the show Franchise Interviews. The interview featured Todd Leff, CEO and President of Hand & Stone, who discussed the history of Hand & Stone as well as the massage industry. He covers how Hand & Stone provides quality, therapeutic client focused massage that are personalized to fit the individual customers needs. Click here to listen to the full interview.

Hand & Stone Meets with Franchise Interviews

Hand & Stone on Blog Talk Radio Feb 29

Hand & Stone featured in Stamford Advocate

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the Stamford Advocate in an article titled, "Hand & Stone spa arrives at Ridgeway." Stamford Advocate reporter Olivia Just compiled an article in which Hand & Stone franchisee Pam Wallace discussed what factors led her to invest her business in Hand & Stone, particularly to provide consumers with an enjoyable experience and the ability to create jobs in the Stamford area. CEO Todd Leff commented on the past and future national growth of the company, as well as their membership program that allows members to come in for spa treatments at reduced prices. Click here to view the entire article. 


Hand & Stone spa arrives at Ridgeway
By: Olivia Just


When Pam Wallace turned her mind to owning a business, she looked for something that would satisfy consumers and provide her with the income stream to support herself.

What she found was Hand & Stone, the membership-based massage and facial spa franchise that is broadening its appeal across the country.

(Read More)

Hand & Stone featured in NJ Biz

Hand & Stone was recently featured in the NJ Biz titled, "Hamilton-based spa chain expands for business clients."  In the article, Todd Leff, Hand & Stone president and CEO, discusses how Hand & Stone is experiencing increased interest and use of their services partly because they offer corporate memberships and that Hand & Stone will be focusing on growth in North Jersey in 2012, with an established base of 20 locations in the state. The article also mentions Umesh and Archie Bhatia who opened an East Windsor location in November and that they are planning to open a second location as a result of the early success of their franchise. Click here to read the full article.

Hamilton-based spa chain expands for business clients

By: Melinda Caliendo

As companies expand wellness programs as part of their benefit packages, Hamilton-based Hand & Stone spas is adding franchises rapidly and encouraging human resource teams to include massage therapy when considering employee resources.

President and CEO Todd Leff joined Hand & Stone in 2009, working with founder John Marco to develop expanded franchising plans for New Jersey’s middle market. The company has focused on developing locations in major retail centers, mostly in “bedroom communities,” with extended hours in order to make the company’s services more convenient for professionals.'

(Read More)