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With a mission-driven business model, a first-to-market concept and an unparalleled brand reputation, Icebox is on the cutting edge of the $6 billion cryotherapy market and the self-care craze.
At 19 years old, Alia Alston’s life changed forever when she was in a serious car accident caused by a drunk driver. Not only was the experience traumatic emotionally, but it also left her with chronic pain and a debilitating neck injury. On a mission to heal herself without surgery, she and her family looked for any and every solution, including hyperbaric chambers and acupuncture. Eventually, she stumbled across a brand new treatment — cryotherapy. Miraculously, the cold worked its magic and for the first time in many years, Alston was able to relieve the numbness in her left arm and leg, and felt her pain significantly decrease. Fueled by this experience, Alston recognized a huge opportunity to help others feel and look their best by creating a spa-like retail environment where anyone and everyone could enjoy cryotherapy and other complimentary services. Since founding Icebox Cryotherapy in 2012 and franchising the concept six years later, the brand has proudly grown to 18 studio locations open with over 16 more in development.
“Icebox is accomplishing what we started 11 years ago as the first brick-and-mortar cryotherapy studio in the country,” said Alston. “Each studio lovingly dedicates themselves to providing an enriching escape that instantly assists with pain management, overall wellness and skin health. What a meaningful mission we are all on to serve our communities.”
Now, the Icebox team is aiming to grow strategically and rapidly over the next few years and is looking for passionate and qualified franchisees who share in their obsessive dedication to health and wellness.
After her accident, Alston’s step-father, a respected chiropractor in Florida, was the first one to hear about this new cryotherapy trend being utilized by major sports teams in the U.S. Alston, who was starting to lose feeling on the left side of her body because of a pinched nerve and spinal disc damage, began cryotherapy treatments herself, and after just a few sessions, relief began to set in.
“After trying a treatment called whole body cryotherapy, which many athletes were using for recovery, I knew that I had to share this with people just like me that were struggling and living with pain,” said Alston.
While cryotherapy was only available in professional and medical facilities, Icebox was started in 2012 with a vision that all communities should have access to a treatment that was non-invasive, easy, quick and produced instant gratification. “From athletic performance to pain management, overall wellness and skin health, Icebox delivers the best innovative cold therapy experience in the industry,” said Alston. “We are the cold experts.”
Icebox specializes in cryotherapy, a modern take on the traditional ice bath and cold plunge that involves exposing the body for three minutes to ultra-low temperatures, ranging from -200F to -256F. Whole body cryotherapy reduces chronic inflammation, improves circulation, relieves pain and promotes overall better health and wellness. The modern studios, which also offer skin health care and cryotherma anti-aging treatment, provide a fun atmosphere with highly trained staff and the best equipment in the industry.
Alston has over 20 years of experience in retail sales and marketing and has in-depth experience and knowledge in building and promoting a company from the ground up. After six years of owning and operating Icebox, she knew she had the opportunity to create a successful franchise using simplified services and a membership-based concept.
In late 2018, Icebox sold its first franchise in Alpharetta, Georgia and was able to prove the model further. Now, the brand is on a mission to have more than 23 locations open by the end of this year, with at least 50 more in the planning stages.
For franchisees who are looking to become part of a dynamic opportunity within the health and wellness space, Icebox is a one-of-a-kind concept. The business model provides franchisees with a scalable path, thanks to its simplified services and a membership-based model (guests are recommended to visit the studio a minimum of two to three times in a seven to ten day period for the best results). But Alston says the true advantages of Icebox franchise ownership go much deeper than that.
“The most rewarding part of this business is the fact that we’re changing lives,” said Alston. “People are moving again, discontinuing pain medications and hitting personal milestones. When we were closed for nine weeks due to COVID, we had some clients that struggled with addiction to pain medication who told us they had to go back to rehab or counseling because they couldn’t get to Icebox. Those types of stories fuel us each day. We share and promote our clients' stories among our franchisees and studios to keep everyone focused on ‘the why’ behind our work.”
And today, as the $6 billion cryotherapy market continues to grow rapidly, Icebox is a runaway leader, offering franchisees all over the country a chance to join a revolution in the health and wellness space and cater to the growing interest in self-care.
“The pandemic taught us that the concept of self-help is more important than ever,” said Alston. “More recovery studios are popping up every day, and that is creating more awareness around the industry. We don’t mind the competition. Our unique approach sets us apart and offers our clients a truly distinctive Icebox experience.”
Similar to how the company supports clients, Icebox is also committed to helping franchise owners with every aspect of the business, whether it be with its customized technology platform to support franchisees in business development and education, comprehensive operations manual, training program or marketing suite.
The corporate team will also work alongside the individual franchisee and the brand’s preferred partners in site selection, store design, lease negotiation and construction. The franchisor also trains on the hiring and education process, which has allowed Icebox to retain a much higher percentage of employees than other competitors in the industry.
Icebox even features a Franchise Advisory Council, where top tiered studio owners have an opportunity to collaborate, share best practices, go over KPIs, implement marketing programs, mentor other owners and more.
“Every franchisee that is following the roadmap has been successful — you don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” said Alston. “Seeing the Icebox family grow and thrive, thanks to our collective effort and dedication, is deeply fulfilling.”
This year, the Icebox team is picking up franchise growth with the goal of signing 18 units by the end of 2023. “We have an amazing opportunity available, a rewarding business model and satisfied franchisees. To ensure that our brand is represented in the best light possible, we are seeking highly qualified partners to join us on this journey!” said Alston.
So, who is the ideal Icebox franchise owner?
“We are looking for passionate individuals to join us on our journey as franchisees. These are people who genuinely identify with the Icebox brand and its culture, have a deep desire to run their own successful business and understand that hard work is essential when striving towards success. By taking up this challenge you will be part of something bigger, making a big impact in your community by providing a high-quality, feel good service!” said Alston.
Now, Alston says the team is looking for both single-unit and multi-unit franchisees to help the brand achieve its goal of opening Icebox studios in markets all across the country. Target markets include Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
“This is an opportunity to help people and create jobs in your community in a healthy, fun and creative environment,” said Alston. “For people who have always dreamed of opening up their own businesses and building wealth, the time has never been better to join the cryotherapy wellness movement with Icebox, the number one brand leader in the industry.”
The total investment necessary to open an Icebox studio ranges from $384,950– $682,750, including a $45,000 franchise fee. For more information, visit: https://iceboxtherapy.com/franchise/
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