Massage and Facial Spa

Nation’s No. 1 Spa Franchise Brings Renewed Purpose to Life Through a Refreshed Brand Identity and Major Motion Picture Partnership with Black Bear Film Spa Weekend – in theaters nationwide August 21, 2026.

• Spa franchise chain, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, is debuting a refreshed brand identity, including a new logo, color palette and visual system.
• To amplify this brand refresh, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is partnering with Black Bear’s Spa Weekend film as its Official Relaxation Partner.
• A Spa Weekend treatment package will be available for consumer trial nationwide at Hand & Stone, offering guests a chance to Just Relax. The brand is bringing this new purpose to life through a partnership with Black Bear’s hilarious new film Spa Weekend, starring Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris, in theaters nationwide August 21.

TREVOSE, Pa. — Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the No. 1 franchise in the massage and spa services category*, today announced the next evolution of its brand, centered around a renewed purpose: creating welcoming, accessible spaces where people can Just Relax.

The evolution comes after consumers revealed a powerful insight: in an increasingly busy and demanding world, people are craving permission to slow down, recharge and prioritize their well-being. For many consumers, relaxation has become something they feel they must earn rather than something they deserve.

In response, Hand & Stone has sharpened its brand positioning around a simple but meaningful idea: to simply Just Relax. The positioning reflects the brand’s belief that moments of self-care should feel accessible and essential to everyday wellness. Hand & Stone is here to provide a weightless escape from life’s everyday stressors.

“The way people think about wellness has evolved, and so have we,” said Carrie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer at Hand & Stone. “Our renewed brand reflects who we are today: a modern, welcoming destination where we give guests guilt-free permission to pause and where relaxation is viewed as something everyone deserves. Whether it’s a stress-relieving massage or a restorative facial, we want Hand & Stone to be the first place people think of when they need to simply relax.”

As the visual expression of this evolution, Hand & Stone is introducing a refreshed brand identity featuring a new logo, color palette and visual system designed to feel calming, open and approachable. The updated look reflects the experience guests have come to expect from Hand & Stone: an inviting local escape from the demands of daily life.

To further bring the brand’s new positioning to life, Hand & Stone has partnered with Black Bear’s Spa Weekend as the film’s Official Relaxation Partner. Opening in theaters nationwide on August 21, the comedy stars Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris and follows four lifelong friends seeking a much-needed getaway focused on rest, reconnection and renewal.

Inspired by the film’s themes, Hand & Stone will offer a limited-time Spa Weekend Treatment Package featuring both a massage and facial, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy their own relaxing escape. The package will be available at participating locations nationwide through October 1, 2026.

“Our partnership with Spa Weekend was a natural fit because the film humorously captures something we see every day: people are looking for a break from the pressures of everyday life,” said Sherrill Kaplan, Chief Revenue Officer at Hand & Stone. “Together, we’re reminding consumers that taking time to relax isn’t indulgent but essential.”

With an evolved brand purpose, refreshed visual identity and major motion picture partnership, Hand & Stone continues to make premium relaxation and wellness services more accessible to communities across North America.

To learn more about Hand & Stone and its offerings, visit www.handandstone.com and follow @handandstoneusa on Instagram for the latest news and updates.

*According to the 2026 Franchise 500® ranking by Entrepreneur.

National spa market leader welcomes veteran franchise executive to lead new chapter of growth

TREVOSE, Pa. — Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa today announced the appointment of accomplished franchise leader Carrie Walsh as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1. Walsh joins the company as it builds on its position as the No. 1 franchise in the massage and spa services category in the 2026 Franchise 500® ranking by Entrepreneur. Todd Leff, who has served as Interim CEO and Chairman, will assist Walsh during her transition and remain Chairman of the Board.

Walsh brings extensive experience in leading consumer and franchise brands through periods of growth and transformation. Most recently, she served as Interim Chief Executive Officer for Subway, where she was responsible for the continued development, profitability and expansion of the brand globally. Prior to this role, Carrie led Subway’s second largest region as President of Subway Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), overseeing more than 6,000 franchise locations. She also previously held the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer for Subway. Throughout her career, Walsh has held senior marketing leadership positions across several of the world’s most recognized brands, including at Pizza Hut, PepsiCo, and Michaels.

Known for her customer-first approach and ability to lead organizations through change, Walsh has helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands strengthen their businesses and deepen connections with consumers by evolving product and service offerings, modernizing digital and store experiences, and transforming marketing and communications.

“I’ve always been drawn to brands that have a positive impact on people’s everyday lives, which is one of the many reasons Hand & Stone immediately resonated with me,” said Walsh. “The brand has built something truly special, with a loyal membership base, a dedicated network of franchise owners and a strong reputation as a trusted destination for relaxation. I’m honored to join the team and look forward to supporting our franchise owners’ continued success while building on Hand & Stone’s leadership in wellness at a time when stress relief and self-care are more important than ever.”

“Carrie brings an impressive combination of brand-building expertise, operational leadership and experience in leading brands through digital transformation,” said Todd Leff. “The Board and executive team are confident she is the right leader to help take the brand to new heights.”

Walsh joins Hand & Stone at a time of continued growth for the brand. Membership levels have reached all-time highs, systemwide sales continue to outpace the industry, and consumer demand for wellness and self-care remains strong. Under Walsh’s leadership, the company will build on this momentum by focusing on enhancing value for members and advancing service excellence across both franchised and corporate-owned spas.

To learn more about Hand & Stone and its offerings, visit www.handandstone.com, and follow the brand (@handandstoneusa) on Instagram for ongoing news.

Scholarship and school partnership programs help create more accessible pathways into wellness careers

TREVOSE, Pa. — As demand for wellness services continues to grow, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is investing in the future of the industry through expanded education and career opportunities for aspiring massage therapists and estheticians. In partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, a nonprofit dedicated to making beauty and wellness careers more accessible, Hand & Stone, named the No. 1 franchise in the massage and spa services category in the 2026 Franchise 500® ranking by Entrepreneur, is launching new scholarship and school partnership initiatives with the shared mission of making beauty & wellness careers a first-choice profession.

The initiative reflects Hand & Stone’s continued commitment to supporting the people behind the wellness industry and helping make careers in massage therapy and esthetics more attainable. As an industry leader employing more than 7,000 massage therapists and 3,000 estheticians across its network, Hand & Stone recognizes the importance of investing in the next generation of wellness professionals. With support from co-partners Universal Companies and Dermalogica, the initiative aims to help ease financial barriers for students while strengthening the pipeline of future talent entering the industry.

The program includes two scholarships for the summer and fall. Each scholarship will award $2,500 to one recipient currently enrolled in or newly accepted to an accredited massage therapy or esthetics program:

• Hand & Stone x Universal Companies In Good Hands Massage Scholarship
• Hand & Stone x Dermalogica In Good Hands Esthetic Scholarship.

“We believe the future of wellness depends on supporting the next generation of massage therapists and estheticians,” said Lisa Rossmann, Chief Concept Officer at Hand & Stone. “Careers in wellness and skincare can be deeply meaningful, and we’re proud to help create more accessible pathways for students pursuing those professions.”

Beyond the scholarship program, Hand & Stone continues to support the industry’s growth through its National School Program, which goes beyond traditional job placement by connecting franchise owners with local massage schools to provide training opportunities, tuition reimbursement, student sponsorships and support with grant applications. With 97 school partners and growing, Hand & Stone is committed to making a career in massage or esthetics accessible to more people by removing financial, social, and other barriers and helping to create more direct pathways from education to employment. The program reflects the brand’s people-first approach and ongoing investment in empowering individuals to pursue meaningful new career opportunities that might otherwise have felt out of reach.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for both scholarships will be open from June 1 through July 31, 2026, and are available to individuals 18 and older who are currently enrolled in or newly accepted to an accredited massage therapy or esthetics program. To apply, candidates must complete an online application, submit proof of enrollment, and provide a short video.

For more information on the scholarships and how to apply, visit the Hand & Stone x Dermalogica In Good Hands Esthetic Scholarship page or the Hand & Stone x Universal Companies In Good Hands Massage Scholarship page.

To learn more about Hand & Stone and its offerings, visit www.handandstone.com, and follow the brand (@handandstoneusa) on Instagram for ongoing news.

New survey by leading massage & facial spa franchise reveals who’s really carrying the holidays on their backs

TREVOSE, Pa. — The holidays may be merry and bright, but they’re also back-breaking. This year, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the nation’s leading spa franchise, is giving America’s most stressful season a well-deserved break with the introduction of a new national holiday, Back Friday.

A recent survey commissioned by Hand & Stone reveals that half of Americans admit the week after Black Friday is more stressful than an average week, signaling the official start of “holiday burnout.” Landing exactly one week after Black Friday, Back Friday transforms one of the most exhausting weeks of the year into a new reason to relax. This year, Back Friday will be celebrated on Friday, December 5. The survey also found:

• Moms Make It Happen: Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) say moms carry the holiday season most on their backs.
• Special Delivery: Nearly one-in-four (23%) respondents say delivery drivers carry the holiday season most, and another 40% rank them second. Altogether, 63% place delivery drivers in their top two, showing strong appreciation for those keeping packages moving.
• Holiday Hustle: With half of Americans (49%) saying the week following Black Friday is more frazzled than an average week, a majority (56%) either feel stressed or uncertain during this time.
• On The Wishlist: One in three respondents (34%) say they’d rather have a massage over any material gift, proof that experiences and self-care are the real luxuries on everyone’s wish list.

“Black Friday has become a cultural phenomenon built on chaos, and Americans are maxed out from the holiday hustle, so we thought, what if we flipped it?” said John Teza, CEO of Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa. “While this is the most hectic time of year, we realized people aren’t taking time for the self-care needed to push through the madness. Through our spas, we see every day that even a few minutes of calm can make all the difference. Back Friday is about giving people permission to slow down, recharge and honor the ones who make the magic happen for the holidays.”

To officially ring in the new holiday, on Friday, December 5, Hand & Stone is bringing the Back Friday experience to life with a spa pop-up hitting NYC, the epicenter of holiday hustle. As the city that never sleeps, New Yorkers will be rewarded with some much-needed rest and relaxation amidst the chaos. The pop-up will offer NYC consumers a chance to win free chair massages, self-care prizes and spa gift cards, offering an opportunity for rest in a season full of stress. Hand & Stone invites guests to attend as a reminder to pause, decompress and make wellness a part of the holiday routine.

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa locations nationwide will join the celebration with in-spa activations designed to spread the spirit of Back Friday in every community by gifting up to three complimentary services to deserving guests, honoring those who carry the holiday season on their backs. Hand & Stone will also be supporting their holiday gift card promotion during Back Friday, where guests can purchase a $150+ gift card and receive a $50 promotional card (*at participating locations). Consumers can also enter an official giveaway starting on November 25^th through Hand & Stone’s pinned post on Instagram by nominating in the comments who carries the holiday season the most on their backs.

Back Friday is officially certified by the National Day Calendar, the original and authoritative entity curating, registering and celebrating national days, weeks and months. Following the inaugural Back Friday on December 5, the holiday will be celebrated annually one week after Black Friday, marking a new cultural moment that reinvents the holiday season and inspires Americans to put self-care at the top of their wish lists.

For more information about hand & Stone and its offerings, visit www.handandstone.com, and follow the brand (@handandstoneusa) on Instagram for ongoing news.

METHODOLOGY
This 2025 survey was commissioned by Hand & Stone and conducted online by Talker Research with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Americans.

With Another Major Conversion Initiative, Industry Leading Spa Franchise Accelerates Its Growth Across Seven States, with More Territories Available in North America  

TREVOSE, Pa. — Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the nation’s leading massage and facial spa franchise, today announced the conversion of 30 LaVida Massage locations across seven states that were rebranded as Hand & Stone franchise spas on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. The expansion located in Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Washington allow Hand & Stone to optimize markets where the brand already operates and to establish a presence in new, priority markets. Notably, Hand & Stone Bentonville is the first location in Arkansas and brings up the total of Hand & Stone locations from 39 to 40. These conversions allow Hand & Stone to optimize markets where the brand already operates and to establish a presence in new, priority markets.

“We’ve made the deliberate decision to make conversions a core part of our ongoing domestic expansion strategy. Conversions are a win-win for the entire Hand & Stone community, including our clients, our existing franchise owners and their teams, and for the converting operators,” said John Teza, President and Chief Executive Officer at Hand & Stone. “Through the addition of the LaVida Massage spas to our system, we’re reaching more consumers than ever before, and welcoming talented, experienced franchise business owners, who are already familiar with our sector, into our industry-leading brand. We are excited to partner with our new franchise owners and look forward to continuing our growth journey and exploring new opportunities to expand this strategy.”

Key to the conversion, as with every new spa opening, Hand & Stone is supporting incoming conversion franchisees by providing a full week of new owner training sessions at Hand & Stone’s headquarters in Trevose, Pennsylvania. The brand is also deploying training staff to provide on-site support for spa associate, massage therapist, and esthetician training for all incoming staff ahead of the conversion. Further, Hand & Stone is making a significant financial investment to support the successful conversion of each spa, as well as ensuring there is a smooth transition into the Hand & Stone system through guidance provided by the brand’s dedicated new spa operations leader.

“The former LaVida Massage spa owners are entering our brand with a background in the massage and wellness business, so our priority is to really immerse them into the Hand & Stone system and familiarize them with the wealth of specialized services that make us unique and keep us on the cutting edge,” said Jennifer Durham, Chief Development Officer at Hand & Stone. “Joining a brand like Hand & Stone provides these experienced spa owners the opportunity to increase their revenue through the addition of services they weren’t previously able to offer and, ultimately, expand their membership base. We share in their excitement as they embark on this new entrepreneurial journey with us.”

The converted locations will offer their clients the Hand & Stone lifestyle membership, which includes access to advanced skincare and spa services such as Decompression Therapy massage, Diamond Glow facial, NuFACE microcurrent facial, Percussive Therapy massage and LED Phototherapy facial. These locations will also offer additional enhancements through partnerships with award-winning skincare lines, including Dermalogica® (featuring their first-ever professional device, Pro Pen), ClarityRX, and IMAGE Skincare.

As Hand & Stone enters this new phase of growth, many open territories remain available for franchise ownership across the country. For more information on franchising opportunities, please visit handandstone.com/franchise.

New and existing franchisees in the region contribute to the brand’s continued growth in the market

CHICAGO — Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the nation’s leading luxury massage and facial spa franchise, proudly announces its continued growth in the Chicago market. Driven by several dedicated franchisees, this expansion underscores Hand & Stone’s unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier wellness services and memorable customer experiences across North America.

Leading this growth are husband and wife franchisee duos, Saj and Sunny Rizvi, and Mike and Kathy Hendershott. As they prepare to open Hand & Stone locations in Chicago, the Rizvis, the Hendershotts and one additional franchise owner embark on an ambitious plan to establish a combined total of eight new spas in the coming years, solidifying Hand & Stone’s presence in both Chicago and its suburbs.

Distinguished by their success as Kiddie Academy franchise operators, the Rizvis have fostered a reputation for creating a positive work environment and prioritizing customer satisfaction. “When we discovered Hand & Stone, it perfectly aligned with our vision and our dedication to making a positive impact in Chicagoland. The brand’s values resonate with our mission of not only providing exceptional spa services but also contributing to the well-being of our local community,” Sunny Rizvi said. “We’re excited to introduce the Hand & Stone experience to more Chicago neighborhoods, fostering growth and community bonds,” added Saj Rizvi.

The Hendershotts, with a strong background in the financial industry, have embraced a prosperous journey in the wellness and relaxation sector, with an existing portfolio of seven Hand & Stone franchise spas under their belts – five of which are in the Chicago market. At the recent Hand & Stone Conference, the Hendershotts were even recognized as the winners of the Cryokskin Achievement Award, which acknowledges the franchisee who has embraced and paved the way for the brand in the development of its third service modality. “As we continue to play a pivotal role in expanding Hand & Stone’s presence, we’re thrilled to introduce even more exceptional spa experiences to the vibrant Chicago community,” Mike Hendershott stated. “Our mission is clear: to provide a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation in the Windy City. We eagerly anticipate serving our customers with the utmost care and professionalism, ensuring they feel truly pampered,” Kathy Hendershott added.

“The continued expansion of Hand & Stone in Chicagoland is a prime example of our steady and sustainable national growth strategy,” said Jennifer Durham, Chief Development Officer at Hand & Stone. “With an existing presence in the market, we’ve specifically targeted key trade areas for additional growth and are excited to attract franchise owners who recognize the demand for wellness options within their local communities and know that Hand & Stone has the tools to successfully deliver that to them. The Rizvis are leveraging their early childcare franchise experience as new Hand & Stone owners while the Hendershotts are award winning market leaders in our system. This mix of new and established multi-unit owners is a testament to our brand and our welcoming franchise community.”

With support of franchisees like the Rizvis and Hendershotts, Hand & Stone looks forward to continuing to deliver top-tier wellness services for in the Chicago market. The new Chicagoland spas will bring high-quality professional massage services, including Swedish, Himalayan Salt, Sports, Deep Tissue, Oncology and Prenatal massages to the community. Guests will also be able visit the new spas to enjoy Hand & Stone’s signature hot stone massage and best-in-class facial and hair removal treatments tailored to each individual’s needs or skin concerns, with a wide-range of services available for women, men and teens.

The brand is actively seeking qualified candidates to help grow its footprint throughout North America. For more information on franchising opportunities, please visit www.handandstonefranchise.com.