The annual Multi-Unit Franchising Conference is designed for the best and brightest in multi-unit franchising. The Hand & Stone Corporate Team has been attending this highly anticipated event for the fourth consecutive year. We're consistently pleased to see Franchise Update Media hosting yet another excellent show. This was another record-breaking year for the team, with an attendance high of over 2200 franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers.
FUM wasn’t the only team breaking records, as we had the most Hand & Stone multi-unit franchisees attend this year – a total of 12 franchisees representing 90+ units! For many of our guests, this was their first time attending, and each had a great experience. Texas & Nevada multi-unit franchisee, Teri Evans explained, “It was an honor and pleasure to represent Hand & Stone Spa at the Multi-Unit Franchise Conference this week. I enjoyed spending time with other franchisees of other brands while sharing the challenges we have overcome. I love to share what it means to be a franchisee within Hand & Stone.”
The MUFC serves as an exceptional networking opportunity, offering invaluable insights and business advice from speakers and panelists. We're fortunate to count seasoned operators among our ranks, with our very own Hand & Stone multi-unit franchisee, Nicholas Marco, participating in panels for the third consecutive year. Nick oversees 11 spas across New Jersey and serves on the Franchise Update Media Advisory Board. He moderated the “Future Planning Track: What New Technologies Are Positively Impacting Your Business Growth with Multiple Locations and Brands” session and shared what technology his team uses to optimize their business.
Our newest Franchise Development team member, Andie Smirl, recaps the memorable few days in the booth: “Multi-Unit Franchising Conference is such a rewarding conference for franchisees looking to diversify their portfolios in any capacity. It might be the massage chair in our booth or all the free samples from our wonderful vendors, but the Hand & Stone development team, along with our existing franchisees in attendance, thoroughly enjoy getting to showcase our culture and opportunity for growth!”
If you attended MUFC in recent years, then you know how popular our skincare goodies are a big hit! Once the conference floor doors open, attendees surround our booth asking about our products and their role in our five-revenue stream business model. Our two amazing skincare partners, ClarityRX and Dermalogica returned, and we introduced our newest skincare partner, IMAGE Skincare. We are always happy to gift us some of their staples to speak about their brands and our partnerships to attendees. We also offered onsite chair massages and raffled a massage or facial gift card to attendees. A special thanks to our local Las Vegas multi-unit franchisee, Lisa Mascari, for lending her massage therapist, Amy.
We are already looking forward to next year! If you missed us at this year’s MUFC and want to learn how you can join us by next year, please email us at franchise@handandstone.com.
