John and Jennifer Hooks’ Icebox location has not even been open a full year, but has already seen great success by bringing cryotherapy to the community of Columbia. 

For franchisees who are looking to become part of a dynamic opportunity within the health and wellness space, Icebox Cryotherapy is a one-of-a-kind concept. And as the $6 billion cryotherapy market continues to grow rapidly, Icebox offers franchisees all over the country a chance to switch up their careers and profit from a growing interest in self-care under an established business model.  

One couple who took the leap is John and Jennifer Hooks of Columbia, South Carolina. Before Icebox, John spent about 22 years in the waste industry managing everything from sales to operations. For a while, he had been looking for a change of pace and thought about potentially owning his own business. His wife, Jennifer, has been working in the healthcare industry for a little over 20 years. It was at her current job that she was first introduced to Icebox by a coworker who left his corporate job to franchise with the brand. 

“We didn’t have anything like cryotherapy in Columbia,” she said. “Our first experience with the brand really made us realize how much we would love to have this type of service around here. Being in the healthcare industry, I understand how important it is to take care of your body, and Icebox is a great way to do that.” 

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hooks decided it was time to take the plunge and pursued a franchise opportunity with Icebox. The pair were blown away not only by the offerings from Icebox but by the system that the corporate team has put in place for franchisees. 

“Icebox is really good at providing cryotherapy service,” said John. “There’s a playbook for franchisees to follow, which has proven to be successful in the past. If you stay the course, you should have success. And that’s what Jennifer and I have done. We’ve really trusted the process and have been fortunate enough to have found success during the seven months that we have been open.” 

It was also the passion and culture that clearly permeated throughout everyone in the business that caught Jennifer’s eye. “They created this ‘Icebox feeling’ so that whenever we went, it always felt the same,” she said. “I loved what they had created and that consistency throughout.” 

These were just a few of the reasons the couple felt set up for success when franchising with Icebox. It was also the level of support they received from day one and every day since. Icebox is committed to helping franchise owners with every aspect of the business, whether it be with its customized technology platform to support franchisees, comprehensive operations manual, full onsite training program or marketing suite. 

This includes working alongside the individual franchisee and the brand’s preferred partners to assist in site selection, store design, lease negotiation and construction. The franchisor trained us on best practices of staffing, hiring and the education process, while a Franchise Advisory Board allows owner-operators to collaborate, share best practices, go over KPIs, implement marketing programs and more. 

“I truly cannot say enough about the support I received, and still receive, from the Icebox team,” said John. “They’re always available and there to answer questions that they’ve probably answered a million times with other franchisees. It's a second-to-none experience, and I don’t have anything but great things to say about it.” 

The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Jennifer noted that, just seven months ago, not many people in Columbia even knew what cryotherapy was. Now, the brand has caught everyone’s attention. By partnering with other wellness concepts in the area, such as fitness studios and gyms, the couple has been able to spread even more awareness about Icebox and has seen a plethora of new members fall in love with the brand. 

Having seen such success thus far, John noted that he hopes to expand across South Carolina someday and introduce Icebox to more people around the state. 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 Icebox Founder and CEO Alia Alston. 

Alston says the team is looking for both single-unit and multi-unit franchisees that have the experience to help the brand achieve its goal of opening Icebox studios in markets all across the country. Target markets include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

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/