Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Tech-forward wellness studios offering science-backed recovery services such as contrast therapy, infrared sauna, float, IV drips, cryotherapy, and more.
Pause is a modern, one-stop wellness studio that blends advanced recovery technology with elevated hospitality. Guests book à-la-carte sessions, packages or memberships for services like infrared sauna, cold plunge/contrast therapy, float therapy, LED light therapy, IV drips and vitamin shots (including NAD+), cryotherapy and compression therapy — all delivered in private suites with premium amenities.
Pause was conceived after co-founders John Klein (former SVP, Real Estate & Growth at Equinox/SoulCycle) and Jeff Ono (marketing leadership across Equinox and The Sports Club/LA) experienced corporate burnout and began exploring recovery modalities. They opened the first studio in Venice Beach in 2016, focused on float therapy, expanded services in 2018, and today operate five company studios across Los Angeles with franchising launched in 2023 and first franchise openings in 2024.
Mission: Empower people from all walks of life to elevate well-being through transformational wellness experiences.
Vision: Redefine one-stop wellness for today’s lifestyle with safe, welcoming studios where anyone can optimize recovery, reduce stress and experience meaningful change.
Although Pause is growing, it doesn’t specify availability on its website. Contact the franchisor for more info.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Pause franchise ranges from $880,600 to $1,534,900. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $410,000 | $670,000 |
| Project Management, Architecture & Engineering | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Equipment | $170,000 | $382,000 |
| Furniture and Fixtures | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Rent (3 months) | $32,100 | $66,000 |
| Security Deposit | $32,100 | $66,000 |
| Signage | $10,000 | $18,000 |
| Startup Supplies | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Insurance Deposits & Premiums | $1,400 | $1,900 |
| Business Licenses & Permits | $7,500 | $15,000 |
| Professional Fees | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Training Expenses | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Audio Video/Information Technology/Security | $6,500 | $16,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $20,000 | $70,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $60,000, paid in full when the Franchise Agreement is signed. It is uniform, non-refundable and fully earned upon receipt. In 2024, fees collected ranged from $35,000–$60,000 due to discounted rates for multi-unit purchases. Pause also offers a $5,000 discount on the first franchise for honorably discharged U.S. Veterans.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Pause franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 7% of Gross Revenue/monthly |
| Advertising Fund Contribution | 1% of Gross Revenue/monthly |
| Local Marketing | $3,500/monthly |
| Technology Fee | $800/monthly |
ROI Potential:
Below includes the total annual gross revenues for all affiliate locations in calendar year 2024.
Location | Total Annual Gross Revenue |
| Location #1 | $1,789,882 |
| Location #2 | $1,744,798 |
| Location #3 | $1,569,015 |
| Location #4 | $1,322,393 |
| Location #5 | $1,285,791 |
Foundational and in-studio training covering service protocols and safety (contrast/sauna/float/LED/IV & vitamin shots/NAD+/cryotherapy/compression), guest experience and hospitality standards, membership packaging, staffing and daily operations.
Guidance on site selection and real estate, studio design and buildout standards, pre-opening timeline and checklist, pricing and packaging strategy, local marketing playbooks, membership sales and retention, and ongoing coaching.
Online/app booking, integrated POS and membership management; standardized service protocols and vendor-vetted equipment packages to ensure consistency, safety and performance across studios.
Operators should demonstrate strong people leadership, hospitality mindset and interest in wellness; prior fitness/med-spa experience is not required.
Active local ownership is ideal to build community and memberships. Semi-absentee may be possible with experienced managers, but confirm expectations with the franchisor.
Pause does not mention any funding assistance info on its website.
“When I first visited Los Angeles to meet the Pause founders and their team, I realized this wasn’t just a business venture — it was a true passion to build a brand recognized as the best in the industry. The Pause team has not disappointed. They care about partnering with the right franchisees and provide full support to ensure success. As a new franchisee, I’ve noticed their willingness to listen, adapt and continue evolving positively.”
— Franchisee Mike Bailey told FranchiseWire.
The Pause franchise team has been fantastic. The corporate team has been patient and supportive, ensuring franchisees feel comfortable reaching out with any concerns or needs.
— Franchise Ryan Brady told FranchiseWire
The U.S. wellness economy is now valued at $2 trillion, representing nearly one-third of the entire global wellness market. It remains the largest and fastest-growing wellness economy, expanding 37% beyond its pre-pandemic size. American consumers spend more than $6,000 per person annually on wellness, driving demand for recovery, performance and self-care services. With the U.S. ranked #1 in nine major wellness sectors, brands like Pause are positioned to benefit from sustained, long-term market momentum.
Pause operates in a crowded recovery market that includes Restore Hyper Wellness, Perspire Sauna Studio, SweatHouz, Upgrade Labs and The Covery. While many competitors focus on one or two core services, Pause differentiates itself by offering a full suite of science-backed modalities in private, premium suites with elevated amenities and a tech-forward booking experience. This combination makes Pause a higher-touch, one-stop wellness destination rather than a single-modality studio.
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