Massage Heights, a leader of professional, affordable and convenient therapeutic massage and facial services, announced today its continued franchise expansion across the U.S. with five new Retreats in Decatur, Georgia; Fort Collins, Colorado; Houston, Texas; Sea Girt, New Jersey; and Morristown, New Jersey. Additionally, the brand has plans to open approximately six additional Retreats through July 2017.
“As we continue to grow Massage Heights nationwide, we’re eager for these Retreats to officially open in Colorado, Georgia, Texas and New Jersey,” said Tim Hicks, senior vice president of franchise operations and development of Massage Heights. “The concept of Massage Heights is to Elevate the Lives of our Members and I am extremely confident that these franchisees, most of whom are first-time Massage Heights owners, will utilize their previous professional experiences along with the resources that Massage Heights offers to lead successful businesses. We are thrilled to welcome them to our Massage Heights family.”
The new Retreat in Decatur, Georgia, is located at 2570 Blackmon Drive Suite 340 and is owned by local Decatur residents and husband-and-wife team Joonas and Kasey Kohtala. Prior to purchasing their first Massage Heights franchise, Kasey was involved in medical sales, while Joonas was co-owner and operator of Finoptics, an optical fiber and cable company. Kasey’s sales and marketing experience combined with Joonas’s strong operational skills allowed the couple to pursue a career in franchising.
The Retreat in Fort Collins recently opened at 2912 Council Tree Ave., Ste. 106, and is owned and operated by Lisa Moore, a Strategic Partner with Massage Heights since 2009 who owns two Retreats across Colorado.
The newest Retreat just outside of Houston, owned and operated by local franchisees Todd and LaVona Dick, will host a grand opening on May 1 at 14243 E Sam Houston Pkwy N, Suite 600. Todd has nearly a decade of experience in sales and customer service, while LaVona is an accountant and will lead the finances of the Retreat.
The first Massage Heights Retreat to arrive in New Jersey opened its doors on April 17 and is located at 2157 Hwy 35, in the Brook 35 & West Plaza, along the Sea Girt / Wall Township corridor on Rt 35. The family-owned business is operated by managing partners James Gumina and Ronald O’Malley. Gumina has a background in corporate strategy with a specialty in mergers and acquisitions, while O’Malley brings years of experience in business development, management and ownership with a specialty in organizational development. Both have long family and personal residency history in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and are excited to be the first to enter the new marketplace as Massage Heights Franchisees.
An additional Massage Heights Retreat in New Jersey will open its doors on May 3 and will be located at 40 West Park Place, Suite 7. The Retreat in Morristown will be owned and operated by first-time franchisees Dale Carmody and David Shawger. Prior to joining Massage Heights, Carmody sales and product management in the healthcare industry. Additionally, Shawger brings more than 20 years of leadership experience as he held positions such as manager and director at multiple Fortune 500 companies.
Massage Heights, which aims to have 300 Retreats open by the end of 2020, is seeking multi-unit franchisees and area developers to grow the brand in states like Florida, Missouri, California and Virginia and cities like Las Vegas, Nashville, Salt Lake City and Chicago in 2017. Tom Gustoff and Tom Dusterhoff, Regional Developers for Massage Heights, will be in attendance at the upcoming conference at Booth No. 501.
As part of its nationwide expansion plans, Massage Heights is seeking qualified multi-unit franchisees and area developers to join its growing brand. Prospective multi-unit franchisees should have $175,000 in liquid assets and minimum $400,000 net worth per location, as well as experience in sales or retail management and managing hourly wage employees. Prospective area representatives should have $375,000 in liquid assets and minimum $600,000 net worth, as well as previous experience in franchising, sales, marketing and operating multiple sites, preferably in the retail, restaurant, hospitality or customer services industries.
