At this Connecticut business, one owner said he sees a palpable change in clients from the time they enter to time they leave.
It’s designed to make wellness more accessible, according to the company.
Now, 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.
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.
“Hand & Stone has created an ecosystem where franchisees don’t just survive, they thrive,” Stanton said.
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)
“Watching the brand rise to lead the wellness category in average unit volume and unit growth has been remarkable. I’m 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’re just getting started.”
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.
“When we converted to Hand and Stone it was the best thing we ever did,” he said.
The massage and skincare company is personalized, affordable, and puts emphasis on relaxing the customer, most of all, analyzing the customer’s skin to get the look they want. They do not provide medical aesthetics such as fillers.
“It’s about the quality of what you’re getting, ” said Tobias, a businessman, not a practitioner. “We do more aesthetics than any other places like it in the country.We make a real difference in their skin.”
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.
“It’s about your skin and making it the best you can,” he said.
A 60-minute skincare appointment and massage are each $89.95.
“It’s not about selling products,” although they do sell products, Tobias said, noting that initially we talk about how to get the results they want.
He said everyone wants “the healthiest looking skin,” and a youthful look is usually high priority.
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.
“It’s palpable and you can feel it,” Tobias said. “We want to make this the best hour of our clients month.”
He said about 60 percent of clients are women and women “don’t really take care of themselves,” as they are “taking care of others. ”
He said the space at 400 Boston Post Road in Orange is relaxing, welcoming and comfortable with an emphasis on hospitality.
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)
Gift certificates around the holidays are popular too, he said.
“What better gift can you give than the gift of wellness?” Tobias said. “To me there’s no better gift.”
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.
Prior to that, he held leadership roles with WellBiz Brands and Smashburger, where he strengthened development infrastructure and expanded national footprints, according to the company.
Having followed Hand & Stone’s evolution for more than a decade, Stanton said he was drawn to the company’s unique position in the marketplace, combining premium wellness experiences with a franchise model designed for long-term success.
“Matthew’s experience scaling some of the nation’s top fitness and wellness franchises makes him an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” said John Teza, president and CEO of Hand & Stone. “His vision aligns perfectly with our mission to empower entrepreneurship within our brand and enhance the well-being of the communities we serve.”