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Updated RecentlyRelax The Back vs Zen Massage Franchising, Inc. Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Relax The Back vs Zen Massage Franchising, Inc. including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $219,700 - $391,300 | $130,325 - $248,783 |
| Franchise Fee | $29,500 | $32,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 2%-5% | 5% |
| Advertising Fee | 2% | 1% |
| Year Founded | 1984 | 2005 |
| Year Franchised | 1989 | 2006 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/No |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/No |
| Equipment | No/Yes | No/No |
| Inventory | No/Yes | No/No |
| Receivables | No/No | No/No |
| Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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| Training | On-The-Job Training: 18 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: Regional training | - Five day comprehensive classroom and on-the-job training program utilizing customized Training Manual. - Two to three days hands-on-training at your center when you are ready to open. - Exclusive use of our proprietary Operations Manual. - Exclusive use of our customized Scheduling and Payroll software program. |
| Support | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform | Start Up Support - Demographic study and direction in selecting your center site in conjunction with our Site Location Guidebook. - Color-coded Store Opening Manual that assists you in the location opening process. - Assistance in center layout and design. - Assistance in recruiting Licensed Massage Therapists. - Guidance in hiring, staffing and training administrative personnel. - Assistance with organizing your Grand Opening, including media and advertising purchasing, along with other marketing assistance found in our Marketing and Advertising Manual. Ongoing Support - Telephone consultations with our franchisee support team. - Internet Technology support. - Scheduled visits from Field Support Representatives. - Meetings, teleconferences and workshops designed to keep you informed and ahead of market trends. |
| Marketing | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing | - Use of Zen Massage® name, logos and trademarks. - Use of Millennium software specifically written to assist you in running an efficient massage therapy business. - Access to proprietary and proven systems and techniques designed to enhance your franchise location. - Pre-negotiated and discounted vendor rates offered to Zen Massage® franchisees. - A well-managed website that will promote your Zen Massage® at an easy to find web address that will post your address, phone number, hours of operation and directions, as well as available services, pricing, links, online sales and a franchisee portal. |
| Operations |
34% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 5
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
| A Zen Massage Center is best operated with the owner on site as much as possible. While we do not require our franchisees to work full-time in their Center, the responsibility generally requires a full-time commitment. |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | No | - |
Company Overviews
About Relax The Back
Make a Difference - Own a Business - Change a Life
It's not often you can own a business that brings both financial and personal success while helping people live pain free. As part of the premier retailer of ergonomic and comfort care products you will feel personal satisfaction in providing your clients the highest quality solutions for back and neck pain. Find success and independence in the $112B health and wellness market.
Having grown out of just one retail store in 1984, Relax The Back Corporation today is for people seeking relief and prevention of back and neck pain, Relax The Back offers posture and back support products and self care solutions because we are the most innovative medically driven nationwide back care retailer. With 80 stores nationwide and in Canada, distribution centers, corporate offices and the acquisition of a leading back care product manufacturer, Relax The Back Corporation has a proven track record of sales, customer satisfaction, and success.
To end the epidemic of back pain and help in preventing back pain, Relax The Back stores provide both the best products and associates who educate customers on proper product use. The associates attend a company-training program about posture, ergonomics, and most importantly, self-care. That commitment to ensure that each product solution is accompanied by appropriate education in product use has proven to be the foundation for success.
Since the beginning Relax The Back has expanded not only the number of stores, but also the customer base and product line. Stores now offer a variety of products for your back and neck. Products are merchandised in one of five lifestyle zones- Office, Home, Sleep, Travel and Health & Fitness-, many of which are exclusive to the chain. Customers make multiple purchases as products are classified in each zone of their 24-hour day.
The health care industry response to Relax The Back has been vigorous. By continuing to educate consumers and revitalizing the merchandising Relax The Back maintains the unique position as a specialty health care retailer. The success of Relax The Back demonstrates the American consumer's insistence on value and integrity.
Veteran Incentives $10,000 off franchise fee
#266 in Franchise 500 for 2020.About Zen Massage Franchising, Inc.
For many people, the dream of owning their own business is just that - a dream. But it doesn’t need to be.
With a Zen Massage® franchise you can turn your dream into a reality and be your own boss, create a new career and begin enjoying the many benefits of business ownership.
- Low initial investment.
- No contracts/No Membership Fees for clients and a creative pay scale for therapists that creates a uniquely positive working environment.
- Simple build out - reception area and 10-12 massage rooms. Concept can operate in relatively small footprint 2000-2200 square feet.
- Usually ramps up quickly.
- Compelling alternative to expensive spas that charge double or triple the retail price for a similar massage therapy service.
- Not usually difficult to recruit staff. Therapists find the concept refreshing and fair.
- Consumers now spend between $6 and $11 billion annually on visits to massage therapists.
As a Zen Massage® franchisee you will carry little inventory, invest a reasonable amount of money and be the first in many cases in your market with the concept that everyone is talking about.
Zen Massage® currently has 14 locations in 6 states.
- Doctors and consumers are increasingly turning to massage as an adjunct to regular health practices.
- The Spa industry employs almost 300,000 full-time and part-time people and is growing at an annual rate of 20%.
- Massage therapy is a recognized insurance-eligible member of mainstream health care. With the establishment of national certification and the development of licensing laws for massage therapy, the massage therapy profession has moved toward recognition and credibility among health-care providers and insurance companies.