Hand and Stone featured in Asbury Park Press

Hand & Stone was recently featured in an article in the Asbury Park Press, highlighting a local entrepreneur bringing the franchise to Middletown, N.J. Candace Ruddy, of Toms River, N.J., will open her first Hand & Stone in Middletown next week. She discussed bringing the massage and facial spa concept to the area, and highlighted the fact that the business model is one that is affordable during the tough economic time. Ruddy’s sister and daughters will also work with her at the location when it opens its doors. Click here to view the full article!

NJ lost 400 jobs in May; unemployment rate up
Written by Michael L. Diamond

New Jersey’s economy lost 400 jobs in May, and its unemployment rate rose to 9.4 percent from 9.3 percent, the state reported Thursday, putting the brakes on momentum that had been building for three months.

The report was another sign that the economic recovery is so fragile that even a temporary spike in gasoline prices can derail it, observers said.

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Hand and Stone featured in Shore News Today

Hand & Stone was recently featured in an article in Shore News Today called “Spa owner goes from motorcycles to massages.” The article discusses Mitchell Sands, franchisee of Hand & Stone in Mays Landing, and how he transitioned from the power sports industry into massage. Mitchell discussed the unique business model that Hand & Stone presents and how Mother’s Day was a great success for his location. The article also speaks about Mitchell’s 25 employees and how Hand & Stone strives to bring a luxury experience at an affordable rate. Further, article highlights different massage techniques that are available at Hand & Stone and describes the relief that the techniques provide. Click here to view the full article!

Spa owner goes from motorcycles to massage
By Claire Lowe

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP ­– Two years ago, Mitchell Sands couldn’t have told you about the health benefits of the raindrop technique for those suffering from scoliosis. And he couldn’t have explained reflexology. But that has all changed since opening a Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa franchise at Hamilton Commons in February.

Sands, 42, of Egg Harbor Township was working in the motorcycle business before entering the world of massage.

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Hand and Stone featured in Manalapan Patch

Hand & Stone of Manalapan was recently featured in the Manalapan Patch in an article titled “Hand and Stone, a Remedy for the Restless.” Manalapan Hand & Stone owner, Lucy Frost, discussed the many services offered at the massage and facial spa. Frost said customer service is her No. 1 priority, as she gives upscale service without the upscale price. The article also highlighted Hand & Stone’s Mother’s Day specials, noting that Frost’s location celebrated its two-year anniversary on that day. Click here to view the full article!

Hand and Stone, a Remedy for the Restless
By Jack Keever

The weary and the worn seeking respite from the rigors of life have to look no further than the nearest shopping mall. At Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the tense transform into the tranquil.

Hand and Stone assists locals in freeing themselves of worries by offering a wide array of massages, facials, and waxings. Guests can choose from a variety of massages including hot stone, trigger point, swedish, sports, and deep tissue, among others.

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Hand and Stone featured in Entrepreneur Magazine

Hand and Stone was recently featured in an article in Entrepreneur Magazine entitled, “The Crossover: From the corporate world to franchise ownership -- how business owners make the transition.” The article was built from in-depth interviews with franchise executives who later became franchisees in the systems they worked in, including Bob and Denise McQuillan. The article discusses that Bob’s experience of owning a location helps him understand what franchisees must go through to open their own Hand & Stone. Click here to view the article in its entirety.

The Crossover: From the corporate world to franchise ownership -- how business owners make the transition.
By Jason Daley

Bob McQuillan and his wife, Denise, were preparing to open a Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa when a recruiter called. It turns out Hand and Stone was looking for a vice president for franchise sales--a position Bob had held elsewhere--so he entered the corporate and franchisee worlds simultaneously.

While Denise heads up their franchise in Cherry Hill, N.J., Bob has gained a deeper understanding of what the franchisees he's working with are going through.

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Hand and Stone featured in The Press of Atlantic City

Hand & Stone was recently featured in an article which published Thursday, March 10, 2011 in The Press of Atlantic City entitled, “Just opened: Massage franchise comes to Mays Landing." In the article, Mitchell Sands highlights the different massage and facial services that he will be offering at his spa. He discusses the popular Swedish deep tissue and prenatal massages as well as the signature hot stone massage. Mitchell also discusses his future expansion and development plans into the Washington Township, Turnersville, and Atlantic City. Click here to view the full article.

Just opened: Massage franchise comes to Mays Landing

Hand & Stone is a franchise, with more than 40 locations nationwide. Our facility is new, with warm colors, a water wall, an inviting place for hard-working people to take a break, relax and de-stress.

Primarilly, we offer massage, facials and waxing.

We offer Swedish, deep-tissue, prenatal, cancer and deep-muscle-therapy massages. There are many other massages as well.

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Hand and Stone featured in the Sunday edition of The Courier-Post

Hand and Stone was featured in an excellent article in the Sunday edition of The Courier-Post entitled, “In the right hands: Cancer inspires woman to open spa.” In this 3-page feature article, Denise McQuillan shares her inspiring personal story about surviving breast cancer and opening up her own spa as a result of the ordeal. Denise talks about how massage was a huge source of relief for her during cancer treatments, and inspired her to become a Hand & Stone franchisee once she recovered. Todd Leff and Fred Vicario weigh in on Denise’s qualities as a franchisee, and why she makes for a perfect candidate. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

In the right hands: Cancer inspires woman to open spa
By KARYN D. COLLINS

Denise McQuillan had always worked in the corporate business world.

She was a numbers cruncher, doing accounting outsourcing for BNY Mellon Financial. She was good at it, had always been good at numbers. And, while it maybe wasn't the most personally fulfilling work, McMcQuillan said she was happy. Life was good for her, her husband and their two daughters. The couple, who live in Mullica Hill, even ran a couple of franchises of a tanning salon on the side.

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

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Alternative Medicine Becomes Mainstream: Spa Franchise Provides Massage For the Masses

Hand & Stone Opens Doors in Mays Landing; To Relax, Rejuvenate Community with Top-Tier Cost Efficient Model

Looking to double its store count nationwide by the end of 2011, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa will open in Mays Landing on January 31 at 4215 Black Horse Pike, bringing its total spa count to eleven in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area.

“We see Mays Landing as a prime market for our brand’s development,” said Todd Leff, CEO and President of Hand & Stone. “We are pleased to have Mitchell Sands join our system and lead our brand with top-tier services and integrity in Mays Landing.”

Proving that massage therapy isn't just for the rich and famous anymore, the new Hand & Stone will erase what once was considered a penchant of the affluent by offering services to all levels of consumers.

Coming from a background in automobiles, motorcycles and insurance, Mitchell Sands has worked in a variety of different industries. Now, he says, he is ready to take a new direction in the massage industry where he has seen firsthand people’s passion for the job. “I look forward to working with people who not only have a passion for their career, but also enjoy bringing pleasure and relaxation to other people,” Sands says.

This will not be the only Hand and Stone location Sands will open. Native to Washington Township, Sands owns the rights to develop multiple Hand & Stone locations in Washington Township and once the May’s Landing location becomes established, he projects to open another in Rio Grande.

Launched in 2005 by John Marco, a physical therapist with 20 years of experience, Hand & Stone’s mission is to bring massage therapy to the masses. Clients enjoy the treatment, but "most aren't just coming for the indulgence," Leff said. "They're coming for stress reduction and pain relief, and many on the suggestion of their doctors."

Under the new provisions of the recently-passed health care bill, alternative medical procedures, including massages from licensed therapists at spas like Hand & Stone, are being taken more seriously by the traditional medical community. According to Leff, about 75 percent of health savings account plans and HMOs will now reimburse patients for massage therapy if their doctor writes a formal prescription. Ailments worthy of that prescription include muscle and joint pain, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (commonly known as TMJ), and stress. According to the 2010 AMTA Industry Report massage use among older Baby Boomers (ages 55-64) has doubled in the past ten years and use among those older than 65 has tripled during that same time.

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as service and pay 30 percent less than the traditional hourly rate. Better yet, when they sign up for a one-session-per-month plan, they end up paying around $60 per visit.

The average customer isn't a wealthy socialite with nothing better to do; she's a 42-year-old female with an annual household income of $65,000, has children and loves to shop at Target and Kohls. With that busy, overscheduled lifestyle, it’s not surprising that the number one reason clients visit Hand and Stone is for stress reduction. Hand & Stone's clientele is roughly 70 percent female, 30 percent male, with an increasing number of male patrons.

As massage spas become more mainstream in the health care industry, Hand & Stone stays at the top of the game by adding locations and services to keep the brand fresh. That strategy has proven to be successful, as the addition of facials and waxing to the services roster has boosted the average comparable store sales by over 40 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. After awarding a record 40 new franchises in 2010, Leff expects to sign another 50 new franchisees to the Hand & Stone system this year, each one investing a total of around $325,000, including franchise fees, to outfit a suburban, strip-mall location with space for at least 10 massage rooms.

"Twenty-two percent of Americans got a massage in 2009, and that figure is growing. As massage becomes a more integrated part of health care, we see this business achieving even wider-spread growth and longevity," said Leff.

Hand & Stone Expands Skin Care Service and Products with Dermalogica

Hand in hand with its mission to begin aggressive nationwide expansion, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa stays at the top of the game by adding not only locations but new products to keep the brand fresh and to give consumers more reasons to keep coming back. Most recently, Hand & Stone began distributing Dermalogica, a 25-year old professional skin care line free of common irritants and ingredients that improves skin health, at its spa locations nationwide.

Hand & Stone researched Dermalogica intensely to ensure it was the right fit to carry at their spas nationwide. What they discovered was a perfect match as both brands were founded on the belief that massage and skin care is not about pampering or luxury, but rather about the health benefits associated with them.

“We had been examining skin care product lines closely for the past several years,” said Todd Leff, CEO of Hand & Stone. “The addition of facials and waxing to the services roster at Hand & Stone as well as growth in massage has boosted the average comparable store sales by over 40 percent during this past year, in a very tough economic environment. We see this category only increasing in years to come and needed the right skin care line for our spas. Dermalogica comprises everything we were looking for.”

Dermalogica has grown to a worldwide brand with a cult-like following among professional skin therapists and consumers alike due to its no-nonsense skin care that helped it grow from a modest store-front in Marina del Rey to today’s 145,000 square foot global headquarters in Carson, California.

Hand & Stone believes that Dermalogica will create exceptional brand awareness for its skin care services including facials and microdermabrasion while its revolutionary hot stone massage therapy is getting consumers in the door and its membership model is keeping them coming back.

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as service and pay 30 percent less than the traditional hourly rate. Better yet, when they sign up for a one-session-per-month plan, they end up paying just $49 per visit.

“We are revolutionizing how consumers approach massage and facial services. Instead of considering them a luxury, we are working to show consumers the health benefits involved, from anti-aging benefits to stress reduction, pain relief and much more,” Leff said.

Massage Industry Poised for Rapid Growth in 2011; Hand & Stone Sets Eye on 40 New Spas

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Rub Out the Line Between Health Care and Luxury

When Todd Leff took the reins to fuel growth for Hand & Stone in 2010, he was fast out of the gate. Hand & Stone opened 12 new locations last year and awarded 28 more totaling 40 locations. In 2010, Hand & Stone marked its name across several cities in its home state of New Jersey and entered new territories nationwide including Missouri, California, and Illinois.

In 2011, Hand & Stone is launching an aggressive growth strategy for 40 new locations in accordance with the growing industry. According to the 2010 AMTA Industry Report, massage use among 18-24 year olds has risen to 48%; massage use among older Baby Boomers (ages 55-64) has doubled in the past ten years and use among those older than 65 has tripled during the same time.

Hand & Stone stayed ahead of the curve in 2010 by giving consumers what they want in a massage and facial spa concept including increasing facial and waxing services at their locations. That strategy has proven to be successful, as the average mature store sales have boosted by over 29 percent in 2010, in a very tough economic environment.

While consumers are relaxed, even de-stressed by the mainstreaming of massage, Hand & Stone is taking this change to the bank. Launched in 2005 by John Marco, a physical therapist with 20 years of experience, Hand & Stone says its mission is to bring massage therapy to the masses. Clients enjoy the treatment, but "most aren't just coming for the indulgence," said Todd Leff, chief executive and president of Hand & Stone. "They're coming for stress reduction and pain relief, and many on the suggestion of their doctors."

While the typical massage client used to have to track down a freelance massage therapist, schedule an appointment days in advance, and pay over $100 for a one-hour treatment, most Hand & Stone clients book their appointments on the same day as service and pay 30 percent less than the traditional hourly rate. Better yet, when they sign up for a one-session-per-month plan, they end up paying just $49 per visit.

The average customer isn't a wealthy socialite with nothing better to do, she's a 42-year-old female with an annual household income of $65,000, has children and loves to shop at Target and Kohls. With that busy, overscheduled lifestyle it’s not surprising that the number one reason clients visit Hand and Stone is for stress reduction. Hand & Stone's clientele is roughly 70 percent female, 30 percent male, with an increasing number of male patrons.

Todd Leff, 51, invested in and became president of Hand & Stone in July of 2009 after a brief attempt at retirement. Having worked in franchising for over 20 years, first growing Cottman Transmission, then leading the merger between Cottman and its main rival, AAMCO, Leff sold his stake in the then 1,100-unit franchise and decided to play golf and relish in his success. That lasted all of three months before he was itching to get back in the game.

"I started looking for a young franchise in an industry that had tailwinds," says Leff. "I figured I could build a management team, implement some larger company processes and take it to the next level."

Leff expects to sign another 50 new franchisees to the Hand & Stone system this year, each one investing a total of around $325,000, including franchise fees, to outfit a suburban, strip-mall location with space for at least 10 massage rooms.

"Most of our franchisees have no massage experience, they are just business people who understand that this industry is ripe for growth and love the fact that we are providing a positive health related service," Leff said. "Twenty-two percent of Americans got a massage last year, and that figure is growing. As massage becomes a more integrated part of health care, we see this business achieving even wider-spread growth and longevity."

Hand and Stone featured in The Times of Trenton

Hand and Stone was recently featured in an article in The Times of Trenton. In the article, Kevin McArdle talks all about his new Hand & Stone spa that he opened in Princeton in December. McArdle shares his entrepreneurial story and talks about why he decided to become a Hand & Stone franchise owner after years toiling away in the corporate world, how many jobs it will bring to the community, and how many additional locations he plans to open in the future. He also talks about how he plans to use his new spa to appeal to a broader male audience. Todd Leff discusses the franchise from a corporate perspective, and weighs in on growth and development plans in the region. Click here to view the article in its entirety.

Franchise of a peaceful and gentler kind
By Rich Bockmann

Princeton- After Kevin McArdle lost his job in 2008 due to downsizing, he did some freelance work as public relations consultant, and considered opening his own consulting firm.

But after 25 years working in Corporate America - seven years as the head of the communications department of Harleysville Insurance - he started to give serious thought to purchasing his own franchise.

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