Woodhouse Spas, the over-90-unit luxury day spa franchise, has developed a unique design and construction process, allowing franchisees more control over their businesses while maintaining careful brand standards that ensure each location is aligned.
“You’re actually part of a team. I genuinely feel that the team I have been working with has my best interests at heart, including my finances,” said Megan Stebbing, a franchisee in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. “They are putting me at the forefront of the plan and the buildout rather than the other way around, and I think that connection has made all the difference.”
During the due diligence process, Stebbing had an opportunity to visit other Woodhouse locations, and she took note of aspects she did and did not appreciate. As she began working with the development team to create her location, Stebbing communicated these preferences, and they worked together to find a solution that would benefit everyone.
“There were components I explored at the previous spas that I did want to bring into my location, and there was no limitation to that,” she said. “The sentiment was, ‘You really appreciated that style and touch. Let’s add that in the most cost-effective way possible.’”
That same flexibility applied when she wanted to make changes, even down to the smallest detail. “I was able to clearly define what I didn’t want in my spa, too, and we adapted immediately,” Stebbing said. “It gets as granular as the grout in the bathroom tile. I saw a color used at another location that I thought was inappropriate and heavily impacted the overall aesthetics, which impacted the atmosphere. I’m a floor person! I said, ‘This is what I saw and what I don’t like,’ and we agreed on another color.”
The Woodhouse team has carefully selected approved materials to provide a range of options to franchisees, all while protecting the luxury feel Woodhouse is known for.
“From an operational standpoint, our franchisees are in their leases for 10 years. We need to make sure the materials we’re picking can stand the test of time,” said Ashley Chatley, vice president of design and construction at Radiance Holdings, Woodhouse Spas’ parent company. “I’ve been very fortunate to work with great vendors who truly understand what we’re trying to solve for. They give us different tile specs and different lighting specs. We looked, touched, and tested everything to make sure that whatever we were specifying would be a value-engineered option.”
Chatley says that this rationale, when applied throughout the spa, can lead to major cost savings for franchisees without creating any exceptionally noticeable differences in the eyes of the guests.
The flexibility also comes in handy when franchisees are dealing with hiccups throughout the buildout process.
“Because of the tariffs and shipping delays, some of our components, like tile, didn’t come in as it was supposed to,” Stebbing said. “So, we pivoted, and we were able to incorporate an accent tile wall that’s really beautiful. We get compliments on that more than anything else in the entire design, and it was the biggest ‘flip.’ When you can find nice material that isn’t imported, you’re able to pivot when you really need to.”
While the design and construction process is the focal point for some team members, this does not mean that franchisees lose access to their expertise once the doors are open. Stebbing remained in touch with Chatley and her team, even when they were a month into operations. “There were some HVAC issues that needed to be addressed, and they supported me in that,” she said. “It hasn’t been a situation where the project management system says everything is checked off, so they move on to the next project. I’m still in contact with the teams.”
For the Woodhouse Spas leadership team, the success of the brand is about more than just checking a box on a list of openings. Each member is committed to the brand’s mission and unique brand identity, and they are consistently involved wherever possible to provide the best possible support to franchisees and their teams, laying a foundation for the best possible guest experience.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/woodhouse-spas.
Woodhouse Spas
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The luxury day spa franchise has tailored its development process to ensure owners can build spas that fit both their vision and brand standards, receiving support even beyond opening day.
Woodhouse Spas, the over-90-unit luxury day spa franchise, has developed a unique design and construction process, allowing franchisees more control over their businesses while maintaining careful brand standards that ensure each location is aligned.
“You’re actually part of a team. I genuinely feel that the team I have been working with has my best interests at heart, including my finances,” said Megan Stebbing, a franchisee in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. “They are putting me at the forefront of the plan and the buildout rather than the other way around, and I think that connection has made all the difference.”
During the due diligence process, Stebbing had an opportunity to visit other Woodhouse locations, and she took note of aspects she did and did not appreciate. As she began working with the development team to create her location, Stebbing communicated these preferences, and they worked together to find a solution that would benefit everyone.
“There were components I explored at the previous spas that I did want to bring into my location, and there was no limitation to that,” she said. “The sentiment was, ‘You really appreciated that style and touch. Let’s add that in the most cost-effective way possible.’”
That same flexibility applied when she wanted to make changes, even down to the smallest detail. “I was able to clearly define what I didn’t want in my spa, too, and we adapted immediately,” Stebbing said. “It gets as granular as the grout in the bathroom tile. I saw a color used at another location that I thought was inappropriate and heavily impacted the overall aesthetics, which impacted the atmosphere. I’m a floor person! I said, ‘This is what I saw and what I don’t like,’ and we agreed on another color.”
The Woodhouse team has carefully selected approved materials to provide a range of options to franchisees, all while protecting the luxury feel Woodhouse is known for.
“From an operational standpoint, our franchisees are in their leases for 10 years. We need to make sure the materials we’re picking can stand the test of time,” said Ashley Chatley, vice president of design and construction at Radiance Holdings, Woodhouse Spas’ parent company. “I’ve been very fortunate to work with great vendors who truly understand what we’re trying to solve for. They give us different tile specs and different lighting specs. We looked, touched, and tested everything to make sure that whatever we were specifying would be a value-engineered option.”
Chatley says that this rationale, when applied throughout the spa, can lead to major cost savings for franchisees without creating any exceptionally noticeable differences in the eyes of the guests.
The flexibility also comes in handy when franchisees are dealing with hiccups throughout the buildout process.
“Because of the tariffs and shipping delays, some of our components, like tile, didn’t come in as it was supposed to,” Stebbing said. “So, we pivoted, and we were able to incorporate an accent tile wall that’s really beautiful. We get compliments on that more than anything else in the entire design, and it was the biggest ‘flip.’ When you can find nice material that isn’t imported, you’re able to pivot when you really need to.”
While the design and construction process is the focal point for some team members, this does not mean that franchisees lose access to their expertise once the doors are open. Stebbing remained in touch with Chatley and her team, even when they were a month into operations. “There were some HVAC issues that needed to be addressed, and they supported me in that,” she said. “It hasn’t been a situation where the project management system says everything is checked off, so they move on to the next project. I’m still in contact with the teams.”
For the Woodhouse Spas leadership team, the success of the brand is about more than just checking a box on a list of openings. Each member is committed to the brand’s mission and unique brand identity, and they are consistently involved wherever possible to provide the best possible support to franchisees and their teams, laying a foundation for the best possible guest experience.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/woodhouse-spas.
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