Hand & Stone Begins 2026 with Nine Agreements, Five Openings

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, North America’s fastest-growing spa franchise, is starting 2026 on a high note. The brand continues to expand its accessible luxury wellness experience, signing new franchise agreements, opening new spas and building a strong pipeline for the rest of the year.

Hand & Stone Continues Nationwide Expansion

In the first quarter alone, Hand & Stone signed nine franchise agreements – its second-best Q1 in five years – and opened five spas. Three additional leases were also signed for spas that plan to open later in 2026. Among the new franchise commitments are deals in the Los Angeles DMA, one of the nation’s most dynamic wellness markets. Hand & Stone sees plenty of room to grow in the region, making it a key area for long-term expansion and continued franchise success.

“Our growth isn’t about the numbers,” said Matt Stanton, Chief Development Officer. “It’s about seeing existing owners expand, veterans invest and new operators stepping in to bring wellness to their communities. It proves our model really resonates with franchisees looking for a true differentiator in the wellness space.”

Existing Owners and Veterans Lead the Charge

More than half of the new agreements in Q1 came from existing franchisees expanding their portfolios, reflecting strong confidence in Hand & Stone’s membership-based business model and spa franchise-leading $1.4 million average unit volume.

Veterans are also stepping into wellness in a major way. About 50% of the Q1 deals took advantage of Hand & Stone’s military incentive program, showing the brand’s appeal as a service-focused opportunity for former service members.

New Spas, New Communities

Five spas opened across Pennsylvania, Utah, Florida, Minnesota and Texas, bringing professional massage, facial and skincare services to even more communities. Future locations in Illinois, Florida and Connecticut are already in the pipeline, featuring a mix of seasoned operators and first-time franchisees. Each new location boosts the local economy, provides wellness access and drives a strong sense of community, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to clients and franchisees.

Why Hand & Stone is a Top Choice for Franchisees

Hand & Stone’s membership-based model offers predictable, recurring revenue, strong client retention and multiple revenue streams – from services and retail to premium treatments through partnerships with leading skincare brands. With more than 650 locations in North America, the brand continues to expand in major metro areas with plenty of room to grow.

“We’re focused on strategic growth while delivering a consistent, high-quality experience for every client,” Stanton added. “That’s how we ensure long-term success for our franchisees and the communities they serve.”

Interested in franchising with Hand & Stone? Learn more about franchise opportunities at handandstone.com/franchise.

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Hand & Stone
Delivering accessible and personalized skincare and massage services, Hand & Stone has over 650+ locations in the US with 1000+ available trade areas to grow in. After 20 years of consecutive growth, we have an average unit volume of $1.35 million! Learn More