Last Thursday and Friday, the Hand & Stone Corporate team hosted its Multi-Unit Franchise Owner conference at the corporate office in Trevose, Pennsylvania. This annual summit gives our top operators, who own four or more Hand & Stone spas, the chance to collaborate, compare notes, and communicate with our corporate team and each other. After not being able to meet in person last year, it was so refreshing to enter a classroom setting and work side by side with the people who know our brand best.
This was the first conference lead by John Teza, who was appointed to President and Chief Executive Officer this past summer. He explains, “The format and the content was well received. We heard clear feedback on many of our top priorities. The dialogue was honest and direct.” He continues, “I was particularly impressed by the manner in which our team facilitated the conversations. Our challenge was to listen, to absorb, and to provide a space for our franchise owners to inform. The team accomplished this goal in a major way. My biggest takeaway from the meeting is the alignment that exists between our interests as a franchisor and those of our franchise owners. As I stated in my opening remarks, our opportunities and challenges are clear, but we are all rowing in the same direction. We are in a great place as an organization.”
After a day of in-depth and productive discussions, the attendees headed to Rat’s Restaurant located on the Grounds for Sculptures, a beautiful outside installment of art pieces scattered over a few acres of land in Trenton for drinks, hors d'oeuvres and conversation. It was a picturesque, October evening where our owners and corporate employees could catch up on each other’s lives outside of spa ownership.
Nicole Alburger, Senior Director of Franchise Development, was excited to spend time with our multi-unit franchisees. “Some of these owners I’ve worked with since the beginning of tenure with Hand & Stone. It’s exciting and reassuring when we meet, and they continue to add spas to their portfolios.”
Hand & Stone Vice President of Operations, Meghan Lally, helped spearhead the event, “The talent in the room was insurmountable! Nothing matters more than coming together as a team to ensure our priorities are aligned and we left more confident than ever in our next steps…. If we can continue to be flexible with our plan and ability to perfect it, nothing will be able to stop us!”
Teza ended his event wrap-up note to the corporate team on a personal note, “I’m so thankful to be on this journey with you all. Todd assured me that this was a special team. On days like this, that is so abundantly clear.”
