Massage Envy, an innovative franchise concept that is bringing massage therapy services to the masses, is breaking into the Central Ohio market with the opening of the Gahanna clinic.
Massage Envy is a national franchise, headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., with nearly $100 million in annual sales. In just under five years, the company has grown to 183 operating clinics and 516 franchises sold throughout the United States.
The Gahanna clinic, located at 4955 N. Hamilton Rd., will hold its grand opening to the community March 12.
The Central Ohio region is being developed by Scott Urban, who is the regional developer for Massage Envy in central and southern Ohio, Kentucky, and western West Virginia. Urban is also co-owner of the Gahanna clinic along with his wife, Pamela.
Urban saw an immediate opportunity with Massage Envy to fulfill the demand for affordable and accessible massage therapy service and to bring an innovative retail concept to this part of the Midwest.
“Central Ohio is ripe for launching a new retail franchise like Massage Envy,” he says. “We have a unique business model and an innovative concept that will really succeed and grow in this market.”
Massage Envy’s philosophy is that massages should be relaxing and therapeutic, but also affordable and convenient.
Massage therapy is a $6 to $11 billion dollar per year industry and now the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. wellness industry. In 2005, approximately 47 million American adults received a massage — 2 million more than the previous year.
Franchisees of Urban’s region will open clinics in Dublin and Powell this spring. Urban has interest from six potential franchisees to develop additional clinics throughout Columbus.
The clinic will offer half-hour, one-hour, one-and-a-half-hour and two-hour sessions in Swedish, neuromuscular (deep tissue), sports, reflexology, trigger-point, cranial sacral, myofascial and pre-natal massages.
Massage Envy offers a dues-based membership plan that enables customers to experience services on a regular basis. Monthly dues cost $49 and include a one-hour monthly massage session. Additional member massages are available once a member has received the initial monthly massage.
A member can receive an unlimited amount of member massages each month for an additional $39. The company offers a one-hour introductory massage session, for a first time visit only, for $39. Pre-paid memberships are available at a 10 percent discount for those who wish to purchase an annual membership of 12 monthly pre-paid massages for $529.
Massage Envy was founded by John Leonesio, a 30-plus-year executive in the health club and wellness industries. The company opened its first clinic in 2002 in Scottsdale.
For information, call the Gahanna clinic at 614-476-3689 or visit www.massageenvy.com.