Massage Heights currently has 100+ franchise locations in the U.S. and Canada. But thanks to the recent return of our co-founder Shane Evans as CEO, and our 20th anniversary quickly approaching, Massage Heights has embarked on a bold new expansion plan for growth in 2024. It’s all part of the franchisor’s strategy to continue taking advantage of a booming health and wellness marketplace, currently valued at over $1.8 trillion in annual revenue.
At the top of this list for franchise expansion locations? Austin, Texas.
A Highly Coveted Destination
Unless you’ve visited before, it’s hard to describe the pull and attraction of Austin, Texas – especially as a destination for new business development. The latest statistics make a strong case for this bustling, tech-based business hub with a population of just under one million. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Austin metro area grew at a faster rate than any other city, expanding 33% in a 10-year span between 2010-2020. Because of this population growth, Austinites are younger, more educated, and diverse than many other regions of the country.
Plus, the cost of living is significantly lower than other U.S. tech hubs. There’s no state income tax, and the city maintains its status as one of the hottest housing markets in the country. To top it off, Austin enjoys a subtropical climate, which means the population growth is unlikely to slow down anytime soon.
An Economy That’s Diverse. And Robust
Austin was one of two U.S. cities, deemed by Inc. Magazine, to be the hottest startup hubs in America. It’s home to the greatest density of high-growth companies and enjoys the highest rate of job creation in the U.S. Not only is unemployment staggeringly low (3.5%), but Moody’s Analytics ranked Austin as “America’s Best Job Market.” Though the region boasts a diverse set of industries, Austin is a Tech Hotbed, home to global brands such as Tesla, Dell, Samsung, Applied Materials, Apple, and IBM. And, as Massage Heights knows all too well – people in the high-tech industry typically work high-stress jobs, making this the happiest of hunting grounds for our wide range of therapeutic services.
A Ringing Endorsement for New Business Owners
Another reason Massage Heights believes Austin, Texas is ripe for franchise development is the city’s status as a startup magnet. Ranked by Inc. Magazine as the “No. 1 Best Place to Start a New Business,” it’s earned a couple of other well-deserved labels such as “Most Affordable City for Startups,” as well as being ranked the second-best preferred market for commercial real estate prospects by CBRE.
Launching a new business in the Austin market should be a franchisee’s dream, thanks to the consistently good ranking the city earns in multiple startup categories. Oh, and did we mention there’s no state income tax in Texas?
All of these details paint a picture of a robust, thriving economy, with an incredible quality of life index to boot. But there’s plenty more to love about Austin, Texas in a non-business sense.
Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is home to unparalleled nightlife and entertainment – with over 250 music venues. Besides mouthwatering cuisine such as the country’s best Tex-Mex and BBQ options, the city is also home to some 348 parks and 265 scenic trails leading to the steppes of the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
"As we look to expand our footprint into the Austin market, I'm thrilled by the city's dynamic energy, innovative spirit, and support for entrepreneurship," said CEO Shane Evans. "Austin's unique blend of a diverse culture and thriving ecosystem, coupled with its emphasis on wellness and sustainability, make it an ideal launchpad for our business to flourish and positively impact the community."
Let’s Chat!
Massage Heights, a leading North America spa franchise, has been offering high-quality massage, skincare, and wellness services since 2014. With 120+ franchises across the nation, the company is a family-owned massage and wellness franchise focused on offering the best in massage, skincare, and wellness services. If you’d like to explore an entrepreneurial future as a Massage Heights franchise owner, we invite you to contact us today and one of our qualified franchise development representatives will follow up with you shortly.