The spa business has a franchise model and there are 600 locations nationwide. There are currently three locations in Connecticut: Orange, Norwalk and Brookfield. Cheshire, Berlin and Stamford will open next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cHand & Stone has created an ecosystem where franchisees don\u2019t just survive, they thrive,\u201d Stanton said.<\/p>\n
![\"Hand](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/THC-l-handstone-1125-02.jpg\")
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is growing its Connecticut footprint with new locations in Stamford, Cheshire, and Berlin and also throughout the country with a new leader, Matthew Stanton, recently named Chief Development Officer. (Courtesy)<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching the brand rise to lead the wellness category in average unit volume and unit growth has been remarkable. I\u2019m thrilled to join a brand with such momentum and a clear purpose: helping entrepreneurs scale profitably while making wellness more accessible nationwide. With this talented team, strong four-wall economics, and unwavering commitment to wellness and franchise entrepreneurship, we\u2019re just getting started.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rob Tobias has owned two Hand & Stone franchises, in Orange, and Norwalk. for 10 years, formerly known as Massage Green Spa in the Orange location and said business is thriving under the new brand.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we converted to Hand and Stone it was the best thing we ever did,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The massage and skincare company is personalized, affordable, and puts emphasis on relaxing the customer, most of all, analyzing the customer\u2019s skin to get the look they want. They do not provide medical aesthetics such as fillers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about the quality of what you\u2019re getting, \u201d said Tobias, a businessman, not a practitioner.\u00a0 \u201cWe do more aesthetics than any other places like it in the country.We make a real difference in their skin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tobias said often people are using the wrong product for their desired skin on the face, neck, hands and they do a thorough analysis to get them on the right long term path. The business is membership-based and people generally come in at least once a month. He has one male customer that comes in eight times a month, Tobias said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about your skin and making it the best you can,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
A 60-minute skincare appointment and massage are each $89.95.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about selling products,\u201d although they do sell products, Tobias said, noting that initially we talk about how to get the results they want.<\/p>\n
He said everyone wants \u201cthe healthiest looking skin,\u201d and a youthful look is usually high priority.<\/p>\n
The difference in their walk, voice and mood is noticeable when they leave from when they enter, he said. The treatments put a pep in their step and their voice is more relaxed when exiting, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s palpable and you can feel it,\u201d Tobias said. \u201cWe want to make this the best hour of our clients month.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said about 60 percent of clients are women and women \u201cdon\u2019t really take care of themselves,\u201d as they are \u201ctaking care of others. \u201d<\/p>\n
He said the space at 400 Boston Post Road in Orange is relaxing, welcoming and comfortable with an emphasis on hospitality.<\/p>\n
![\"Hand](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/THC-l-handstone-1125-01.jpg\")
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is growing its Connecticut footprint with new locations in Stamford, Cheshire, and Berlin and also throughout the country with a new leader, Matthew Stanton, recently named Chief Development Officer. (Courtesy)<\/p>\n
Gift certificates around the holidays are popular too, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat better gift can you give than the gift of wellness?\u201d Tobias said. \u201cTo me there\u2019s no better gift.\u201d<\/p>\n
A company spokesperson said Stanton brings more than 15 years of executive franchise leadership experience to Hand & Stone. He most recently served as chief development officer at Purpose Brands, parent company to Anytime Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, Waxing the City, The Bar Method, and Basecamp Fitness.<\/p>\n