Is Massage Heights right for you?
Membership Recurring Revenue
Core model built on structured membership programs that drive predictable cash flow and high member retention.
Multi-Modality Utilization
Treatment rooms generate revenue from both professional massage and touchless wellness technologies, increasing throughput per square foot.
Proven Scale
97 franchised locations with 12+ months of operation provide a mature operational blueprint.
About Massage Heights
Massage Heights, now operating under the Heights Wellness Retreat brand, is a membership-driven wellness franchise founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The concept combines professional therapeutic massage, skincare, and facial services with touchless wellness modalities such as red light therapy, infrared sauna, cryotherapy, compression therapy, and halotherapy. Parent company SWG International, LLC oversees the system through Elevated Brands Franchising, LLC.
Franchisees operate technology-forward wellness retreats of approximately 2,500 to 2,700 square feet that generate revenue primarily through structured, recurring membership programs. The model emphasizes high utilization of treatment rooms via a mix of hands-on massage and automated wellness technologies. Operations focus on membership sales, retention, and delivering consistent wellness outcomes rather than one-off transactional services.
SWG International, LLC is the parent company of Elevated Brands Franchising, LLC and its affiliates. SWGI does not offer or sell franchises in any line of business or provide products or services to Franchised Businesses.
The business model
How a Massage Heights territory actually makes money at the unit level.
Initial Franchise Fee
A one-time fee of $59,500 is payable upon signing the Franchise Agreement.
Royalty and Marketing Fees
Franchisees pay 6% of gross revenue as royalty and 3% of gross revenue for marketing, both remitted bi-weekly. A monthly technology fee of $995 is also required.
Total Investment Range
Estimated initial investment for a new Heights Wellness Retreat ranges from $955,895 to $1,466,168. This includes leasehold improvements, therapy technology, furniture, fixtures, equipment, initial advertising, software fees, and three months of working capital.
Supplier Requirements
Franchisees must purchase approximately 89% of opening inventory and 91% of ongoing supplies from the franchisor or its approved affiliates, including the mandatory Retreat Development Package.
Territory Structure
Franchisees receive a non-exclusive territory generally defined as a 1.5-mile radius around the approved location. The franchisor retains rights to sell through alternative channels including the internet.
System Performance
As of year-end 2025 the system included 99 total outlets, with 98 franchised. The franchisor projects five new outlets in the next 12 months.
Quick facts
Initial franchise fee
$59,500
Total investment range
$955,895 to $1,466,168
Royalty
6.00% of gross revenue
Marketing fund
3.00% of gross revenue
Founded
2007
Headquarters
San Antonio, TX
Active US franchisees
60
Total US units
60
Training & support
What the franchisor + parent platform provide. And what they don't.
What's provided
- +Initial Training Program for up to four people including the franchisee or Managing Owner, Designated Retreat Director, and Lead Massage Therapist.
- +Curriculum covers the operating system, guidelines, procedures, advertising and sales techniques, marketing plans, customer relations, quality standards, and brand standards.
- +Training delivered in-person at headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, or other designated location, online components, and at the franchisee's site.
- +Up to five days of onsite pre-opening and opening assistance provided by a franchisor representative.
- +Ongoing operational advice, standards updates, and optional additional support throughout the franchise term.
- +Full discretion over national and initial local advertising and promotional programs including management of the Brand Fund.
Honest disclosure: what's NOT provided
The franchisor will not train or assist in training your employees or independent contractors, except as it relates to ensuring brand standards are met. Franchisees are solely responsible for training their staff.
Multi-unit growth path
The the filed disclosures and operator data indicate limited multi-unit ownership. As of the latest reporting, zero operators in the provided aggregate owned more than one unit. Development is structured on a single-unit basis with no disclosed area development agreements or incentives for multi-unit operators. Prospective multi-unit investors should evaluate the operational demands of managing membership-driven wellness services across locations before pursuing expansion.
Capital + financing paths
Most operators use one of these four paths to fund the initial investment.
SBA 7(a) Loans
Many franchisees finance through SBA-backed loans. The franchisor does not finance but the business model may qualify for standard SBA programs based on use of proceeds for leasehold improvements, equipment, and working capital.
Conventional Bank Financing
Commercial banks and credit unions may finance qualified buyers using personal liquidity, collateral, and demonstrated experience in operations or sales.
Retirement Plan Rollovers
ROBS strategies using 401(k) or IRA funds are commonly used to cover equity requirements without incurring early withdrawal taxes or penalties.
Third-Party Lenders
Specialty franchise lenders familiar with personal services concepts may offer tailored terms for the $956k-$1.47M investment range.
Process timeline: inquiry → grand opening
Typical 12-16 week path from first call to launching your first customer route.
Validation & Agreement
Complete discovery process, review the filed disclosures, and sign Franchise Agreement. Pay initial franchise fee of $59,500.
Site Selection
Identify and secure location within the designated 1.5-mile radius territory. Submit site for franchisor approval.
Design & Pre-Construction
Finalize plans, pay Initial Advertising Program fee of $40,000-$60,000, and begin permitting process.
Build-Out & Setup
Complete leasehold improvements, install therapy technology and systems, and procure required equipment and inventory from approved suppliers.
Training & Pre-Opening
Attend initial training in San Antonio for key team members. Conduct pre-sale activities and initial marketing program.
Grand Opening
Open the retreat with franchisor onsite support for up to five days. Activate membership sales and operations.
Ongoing Operations
Manage membership retention, report bi-weekly royalties and marketing fees, and utilize ongoing franchisor support.
Match assessment
Are you a Massage Heights match?
12 questions. Math-first. No high-pressure sales call afterwards. Just your match assessment and the reasoning behind it.
Start nowCommon questions
How much does a Massage Heights franchise cost?
Total estimated initial investment ranges from $955,895 to $1,466,168 according to the investment disclosure of the the filed disclosures. This includes a $59,500 franchise fee, leasehold improvements, therapy technology, equipment, initial advertising, and working capital.
What is the royalty fee for Massage Heights?
The royalty is 6% of gross revenue paid bi-weekly. An additional 3% of gross revenue is required for marketing, plus a $995 monthly technology fee.
Does Massage Heights provide a financial performance representation?
Yes. the financial-performance disclosure discloses average and median gross revenue, member metrics, retention, expense ratios, and net operating profit before owner compensation for 97 franchised locations open at least 12 months in 2025. 39% of locations exceeded the average gross revenue.
How many Massage Heights locations are there?
As of December 31, 2025 the system had 99 total outlets with 98 franchised and one company-owned. The system experienced a net decline of seven franchised units over the prior three years.
What is the difference between Massage Heights and Heights Wellness Retreat?
Heights Wellness Retreat is the current brand name and concept that incorporates touchless wellness technologies alongside traditional massage. It represents the evolved model from the original Massage Heights membership-based massage concept.
Do Massage Heights franchisees get an exclusive territory?
No. Territories are non-exclusive and generally defined as a 1.5-mile radius around the approved location. The franchisor reserves rights to sell through the internet and other channels within the territory.
How long does it take to open a Massage Heights franchise?
The typical timeline from signing to opening spans six to nine months depending on site selection, permitting, construction, and training. The the filed disclosures does not guarantee a specific schedule.
Does Massage Heights offer training?
Yes. Initial training is provided for up to four key people at headquarters in San Antonio and onsite. The franchisor does not train franchisee employees or independent contractors beyond brand standards.
What are Massage Heights franchisee reviews like?
Operator data shows 60 active franchisees with zero reported multi-unit operators. Prospective buyers should conduct thorough validation with current and former franchisees as required by the the filed disclosures.
Can I convert an existing business to a Heights Wellness Retreat?
Yes. The the filed disclosures provides lower cost estimates for conversions from existing Massage Heights businesses in several investment categories. Specific conversion performance data is included in the financial-performance disclosure.
Who supplies Massage Heights franchisees?
Franchisees must purchase 89-91% of inventory, equipment, and supplies from the franchisor or its affiliates including Summit Franchise Supply. Rebates received by the franchisor are disclosed in Item 8.
Is financing available for Massage Heights?
The franchisor does not offer direct financing. Buyers typically use SBA loans, conventional bank financing, ROBS, or third-party lenders. All fees are non-refundable.
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