Close The Deal Podcast with Shane Evans

CEO of Massage Heights

Welcome to the Show: Close the Deal

Franchise Size, Investment, and Setup

Shane Evans, co-founder of Massage Heights, shares insights into the franchise model and how it supports new franchisees. Typically, a Massage Heights location is between 2,200 and 2,400 square feet, housing around 10 to 12 rooms. However, the model offers flexibility, with smaller footprint options in space-constrained markets like New Jersey. The all-in investment ranges from $450,000 to $550,000, covering everything from furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) to operational supplies. The franchise model is designed to be a "plug-and-play" setup, where the franchisor handles real estate, design, and construction, so franchisees can focus on local marketing, recruitment, and community building.

Branding and Marketing Strategy

The name "Massage Heights" has roots in Alamo Heights, a prominent area in San Antonio, Texas. Shane cleverly tied the concept of "heights" to their brand, aiming to elevate the customer experience. Their add-on services are even called "elevations," underscoring the elevated experience they promise. From a marketing perspective, franchisees receive full support through a pre-grand opening plan, which includes digital, social, print, and PR efforts. The goal is to help franchisees sign up 200 members before opening, ensuring immediate revenue from day one. Franchisees are also assigned marketing managers to guide them in both consumer prospecting and therapist recruitment.

Ideal Franchisee and Business Model

Shane describes the ideal franchisee as someone passionate about health, wellness, and people. While many successful franchisees come from sales, marketing, or financial backgrounds, experience in massage therapy is not required. Leadership and the ability to foster a positive work environment are critical, as the business revolves around creating a welcoming atmosphere for both employees and clients. Massage Heights operates as a semi-absentee model, but Shane emphasizes the importance of having a dedicated operator in place to run the day-to-day business.



Vision for Growth and Advice

Looking ahead, Massage Heights is expanding its wellness offerings by testing touchless therapies like light and sound therapy. The goal is to transform from a massage-centric brand into a broader wellness retreat. Shane advises prospective franchisees to deeply explore the franchise system and understand their "why." Business ownership is challenging, and having a clear vision and long-term plan is essential. She stresses the importance of understanding what you want to achieve—whether it’s financial freedom or lifestyle improvement—and developing a plan to get there.