Growing Personal Care Franchises

Despite a lackluster economy, Americans continue to spend money on away-from-home beauty treatments, and franchises that cater to their needs are growing.

Massage Envy opened 87 new clinics in 2011, bringing the total number of Massage Envy locations to 742 in 44 US states. In addition, since introducing its Massage Envy Spa concept in late 2007, the company has opened or converted a record 438 spa locations in 39 states.

In 2011, the company surpassed its 500,000th facial and Massage Envy’s average unit volume surpassed $1 million and experienced year-over-year growth of 25%.

“Our entire network is focused on our mission to provide a pathway to wellness, well-being and worth through our massage and skin care services in 2012,” said Dave Crisalli, Massage Envy CEO and president “Our success in 2011 is a result of our focused operating plan.”

Massage Envy, which has an exclusive partnership with Murad, was recently ranked No. 57 in Entrepreneur’s 2012 Franchise 500 and named a top 100 AllBusiness (a D&B company) AllStar Franchise.

And be on the lookout for No+Vello, an intense pulsed light (IPL) hair removal and facial rejuvenation franchise. The Spanish-based franchise has been designated by Entrepreneur as the No. 1 personal care franchise in 2011.

No+Vello started in Spain in 2007 and expanded into the US in 2011. It has more than 1,200 locations worldwide and has performed more than one million treatments. The firm offers treatments at a what it calls a “low flat rate”using technology that it is “more versatile in treating a broad range of skin types and hair colors.”

In addition to ranking in the personal care category, No+Vello was named the No. 1 new franchisein America and ranked No. 137 overall out of 500 franchises.

To date, the number of USNo+Vellofranchises stands at just two (New York City’s Upper West Side and Minneapolis), but two more doors are expected to open in the next month (San Antonio and Denver). And, the firm says 10 more franchises are in the pipeline and should be operating in the next three to four months.