If you are starting out your career as a massage therapist, you may wish to consider employment at a massage franchise.
Massage Envy introduced the concept of a monthly massage membership in 2002 and has grown over the years with more than 650 locations throughout the United States. Today, Massage Envy is joined by a growing number of other massage franchisors, such as Massage Heights, and Elements Therapeutic Massage.
We understand the concept of a franchise – a business model set up by a corporation that sells the concept to an individual investor. When we visit a franchise, such as a nationwide chain that serves coffee, we expect that the coffee will be consistent from one location to the next, as well as the offerings, the general pricing structure, and even the design.
Working as a massage therapist for a massage franchise is not the same as working at a day spa or resort. While the quality of massage therapy offered at a massage franchise may be on par with a day spa or resort, what generally separates a massage franchise from a day spa or resort is the surroundings. A massage franchise will have a simple, clean environment compared to the luxurious pampering (and cost) one would expect to receive at a day spa or resort.
When working for a massage franchise as a massage therapist, there are both pros and cons to think about. It is essential to first understand what massage franchises are.
The Massage Franchise Concept
A massage franchise is similar in concept to a gym membership. You may receive a “guest pass” to try out a gym for a day, several days, or even a week. The gym is not being generous; they are hoping during your visit(s) you will be convinced of the positive benefits of exercise and the quality of their facility that you chose to become a member.
A massage franchise will charge monthly membership dues, which generally includes a 60-minute massage session. Each month, “dues” are automatically deducted from a member’s bank account. After receiving their “member massage,” members who obtain further massages pay a reduced member fee.
Massage therapists should subscribe to the belief that most people would benefit from at least one massage per month. Certain conditions may warrant more frequent visits, and that is where the recommendations of the massage therapist are vitally important. It gives massage therapists the ability to grow their own client base, which in turn provides frequency to the massage franchise, which in turn makes the massage therapist a more valuable employee.
The massage therapist is the most important component in growing and maintaining a successful massage clinic. No matter how convenient, affordable, or clean the massage clinic may be, the massage must be professional and of highest-quality. The relationship between massage therapist and massage franchise must be symbiotic.
Massage Therapy in a Massage Franchise – How it Works
Most massage franchises offer 30, 60, 90 and 120-minute massage sessions. A 60-minute massage session, for example, may only be 50-minutes of hands-on bodywork.
A massage therapist, for example, may be scheduled to provide a 60-minute massage session at 5:00pm. At 5:00pm the massage therapist is expected to collect the client and conduct a brief consultation prior to the massage. The massage therapist will exit the room to allow the client to undress and return a few minutes later and begin the massage at 5:05 pm. A 50-minute massage would conclude at 5:55 pm. The client will have a few minutes to get dressed and after he or she has exited, the therapist will re-enter and re-set the massage table. The massage therapist will be expected to collect the next guest at 6:00 pm to begin the next massage at 6:05 pm and concluding at 6:55 pm.
A criticism from massage therapists about the environment at massage franchises is that it doesn’t allow for much time or flexibility. Massage therapists may feel that they and their craft are on an assembly-line. If one guest is late, or does not leave the treatment room on time, or you are running late, your next guest will likely complain if the session is shortened.
Working for a Massage Franchise – Advantages and Disadvantages
If you have recently graduated from massage therapy school, working at a massage franchise provides access to an immediate client base and potential for steady income. Some massage therapists might work at a massage franchise until they build their own business. Others find that the time involved in marketing their business and transportation between clients is overwhelming. While some massage therapists working at massage franchises are just out of school, others may have been practicing massage therapy for years and have built up a loyal clientele. There may be a considerable benefit in someone else doing the laundry, or booking appointments.
Some massage franchises encourage their massage therapists to pursue training in other modalities and may even reimburse them after receiving certification. For example, in some states, offering Hot Stone Massage, Aromatherapy or Pre-Natal Massage requires a massage therapist to receive specific training and certification. These additional modalities make the massage therapist more marketable which benefits both the therapist and the massage clinic.
While most day spas or resorts are closed in the evenings and on weekends, most massage franchises are open 7 days a week and into the evenings during the week. Most massage franchises are open, for example, Saturdays and Sundays, and until 9:00 pm on weekdays. As some massage franchises are open as many as 88 hours per week, the availability of open hours may or may not be an advantage for massage therapists. They may need to adjust their personal circumstances to be available at times when they are more in demand.
A massage franchise may be open for customer convenience (and revenue) most days of the year and only close for a few holidays, such as Christmas and New Years. The franchisor gives the individual franchise owner flexibility to decide if the business will open, for example, on Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve, or if there will be abbreviated hours on those day. Massage clinics are usually open on holidays like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Newly-hired massage therapists may be relegated shifts other massage therapists do not want, or may have to work most or all weekends as well as holidays until they have built up tenure.
Massage Therapist Compensation
Massage therapists at massage franchises earn an hourly rate of about $15-20 per massage hour. Unlike some medical facilities, most massage franchises actively encourage members and guests to tip therapists, which has the potential to significantly increase hourly compensation. A massage therapist may receive an additional $5 to $10 tip for each hour, though $10 to $15 is the norm for more experienced therapists. Therefore, a massage therapist may earn as little as $15 per massage hour, or more realistically about $20-30 per hour.
Generally, massage therapists only receive this hourly wage when they are in session. If you work at a clinic that is not busy and does not have a substantial client base, you may sit around until you and/or your clinic develops a regular clientele.
Each massage franchise owner may offer hourly increases based on certain factors, such as at each employment anniversary date or based on the percentage volume of members that return and request your services. The massage franchisee may also provide a monetary benefit when you have provided a massage to a non-member who decides to become a member after having had a massage from you.
Massage Therapist Benefits
Massage franchise owners determine what benefits are available to their massage therapists. After one year of employment, they may provide paid vacation time and salary to full-time workers. Each franchise owner determines what constitutes “full-time,” whether it is, for example, 20 or 25 hours of massage every week on average during the past 52 weeks.
The individual franchise owner may or may not offer sick-pay or paid time off for massage therapists. Due to the nature of the business, some franchise owners may require therapists to provide a doctor’s release in the event they have called in sick, before being allowed to return to work. The individual franchise owner may or may not offer medical benefits, such as an employee-sponsored mini-med or 401k plan.
