Massage Heights unwinds franchise biz in North Texas

Dallas Business Journal - by Katherine Cromer Brock Staff Writer

San Antonio-based Massage Heights has begun an expansion of the company’s franchise operations in North Texas.

The brand operates about 50 discount massage “retreats” nationwide — of which 28 are in Texas. The company plans to have 1,620 locations open in 54 markets by 2013, with 50 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, said founder Shane Evans.

“Dallas is just such a big territory,” Evans said. “We have a small footprint. That allows us to have more units, giving us more brand visibility.”

Massage Heights was founded in 2004 as a membership-based massage provider with a monthly fee of $49.99. Each store is about 2,000 square feet and located in a lifestyle center, adjacent to grocery stores and booksellers, Evans said.