Selling a Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Franchise

Massage & Wellness Franchise Resale & M&A Advisory for Hand & Stone Owners

By Mercedes Shaffer, Managing Director | Highwater Partners

Selling a Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa franchise is a specialized transaction that requires deep wellness-industry expertise, disciplined valuation, and national buyer exposure. Hand & Stone operates within the premium massage and facial spa segment, combining recurring membership revenue with regulated service delivery and retail add-ons. Franchise resales are closely evaluated by buyers, lenders, landlords, and the franchisor—making experienced M&A representation essential to protect value and ensure a successful closing.

At Highwater Partners, we specialize in franchise resale and M&A advisory across wellness, health, beauty, and lifestyle sectors, representing Hand & Stone franchise owners nationwide. We advise owners on single-unit sales, multi-unit portfolio exits, and strategic divestitures, delivering a professional, highly structured process designed to maximize value and reduce execution risk.

True to our name, Highwater Partners serves clients at the highest level, combining disciplined execution with senior-level advisory and deep respect for the responsibility of representing an owner’s business.

Why Selling a Hand & Stone Franchise Requires Specialized M&A Expertise

Hand & Stone franchise resales involve category-specific and operational considerations, including:

• Franchisor approval and formal transfer requirements

• Buyer net worth, liquidity, and multi-unit wellness or spa operating experience

• State and local licensing requirements for massage therapists and estheticians

• Dual-service model (massage + facials) and service mix analysis

• Membership revenue stability, retention, and lifetime value

• Retail product sales and add-on service performance

• Lease assignment, landlord consent, and spa-focused retail real estate

These factors directly affect valuation credibility, buyer qualification, financing, and transaction timelines. A general business broker may understand service businesses—but a massage and spa franchise M&A advisor understands Hand & Stone.

How Hand & Stone Franchises Are Valued

Hand & Stone franchise valuations are driven by recurring membership revenue, service mix optimization, and operational stability, not gross revenue alone.

Key valuation considerations include:

• Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) or EBITDA

• Active membership count and retention trends

• Massage versus facial revenue mix

• Therapist and esthetician utilization and labor cost structure

• Retail product contribution to profitability

• Lease terms, rent ratios, and remaining option periods

• Owner involvement versus manager-led operations

• Brand compliance and anticipated reinvestment

At Highwater Partners, we apply M&A-grade financial normalization and valuation methodologies, ensuring the business is positioned credibly for qualified buyers and lenders.

Who Is Buying Hand & Stone Franchises Today

Active buyers for Hand & Stone franchises include:

• Existing Hand & Stone franchisees expanding regionally

• Multi-unit massage, facial, and wellness operators

• Private equity–backed wellness and beauty platforms

• Strategic buyers building diversified health, beauty, and lifestyle portfolios

Importantly, Highwater Partners represents buyers across multiple franchise sectors, including restaurants, health and wellness, beauty, massage, fitness, and pet services. This cross-sector exposure allows us to identify well-capitalized buyers diversifying into premium wellness and spa concepts.

National Exposure, Executed at the Highest Level

Highwater Partners is a national business brokerage and M&A advisory firm representing franchise owners across restaurants, wellness, fitness, beauty, and pet services. Led by a team of elite business brokers and franchise M&A professionals, the firm provides maximum listing exposure, disciplined valuation, and transaction management at the highest level.

Highwater Partners delivers broad, national exposure through:

• A proprietary database of 100,000+ qualified franchisees, wellness operators, and private equity investors

• A nationwide network of 110+ professional business brokers across the United States

• Cross-industry buyer outreach spanning restaurant, health, beauty, massage, fitness, and pet service sectors

• Professionally prepared marketing materials built for serious acquirers

Our approach delivers maximum listing exposure while maintaining discretion and professionalism appropriate for spa and wellness transactions.

Why Hand & Stone Franchise Owners Choose Highwater Partners

Franchise owners choose Highwater Partners because we provide:

• Top-tier professionals with deep franchise and wellness M&A experience

• Brand-specific Hand & Stone resale expertise

• Institutional-quality valuation and transaction preparation

• Access to buyers across multiple franchise industries

• A service standard rooted in operating at the highest level

• Professional, discreet representation from start to close

We are trusted advisors to Hand & Stone franchise owners who value execution, integrity, and results.

Our Hand & Stone Franchise Resale Process

1. Confidential valuation and exit strategy planning

2. Professional CIM and wellness-focused deal preparation

3. National and cross-sector buyer exposure

4. Buyer qualification and franchisor coordination

5. Offer negotiation and transaction structuring

6. Transaction management through closing

Each step is designed to protect value, reduce execution risk, and respect the responsibility of representing your business.

When Is the Right Time to Sell a Hand & Stone Franchise?

The strongest outcomes typically occur when:

• Membership revenue is stable or growing

• Therapist and esthetician staffing is consistent

• Financials are clean and defensible

• Lease terms support buyer financing

• Buyer demand in the wellness and beauty sector is active

Preparation and representation often matter as much as timing.

Speak with a Massage & Spa Franchise M&A Advisor

If you are considering selling your Hand & Stone franchise—now or in the future—begin with a confidential consultation.

Mercedes Shaffer

Managing Director | Highwater Partners

Call or text: 714.330.9999