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The Post-Pandemic World Has Seen A Spike In Demand for Wellness Franchises

While the pandemic brought forth mental health issues, it also brought awareness. Franchises are filling the gap and helping their communities improve in wellness.

By Erica InmanStaff Writer
1:13PM 01/04/24

The pandemic was a shock for everyone and has brought about more change than most would have predicted. In a post-pandemic world, for example, people are more aware of their mental health and overall wellness. This has led to a giant boom in the wellness industry, with a 9.9% annual growth rate and estimated to reach a value of nearly $7 trillion by 2025. 

This makes now a great time to invest in a wellness franchise. In addition to a higher likelihood that this type of business will be profitable, wellness franchises can make a positive impact on those seeking to improve their mental health and physical well-being. 

Mental Health Awareness

The pandemic caused rates of anxiety and depression to reach an all-time high. Since the pandemic, 80% of American adults have admitted to showing symptoms of depression. Meanwhile, 90% of adults agree that the country is facing a mental health crisis. 

Through the pandemic, awareness of mental health issues also skyrocketed. In fact, the mental wellness industry in 2019 was valued at around $122 billion globally, growing 7.2% during the pandemic to reach a value of $131 billion in 2020. Since then, services such as therapy, meditation, yoga, and other forms of mindfulness and exercise have become incredibly popular as ways of bettering one’s mental wellness. 

Physical Wellness

The pandemic also brought about a heightened awareness of physical health. There was a greater effort toward disease prevention, with copious amounts of hand-washing, that made the general public realize how essential preventative measures truly are. 

Beyond hand-washing, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) gave the public advice for effective disease prevention. Those with existing chronic diseases, who were at the highest risk during the pandemic, were advised to eat healthy and get plenty of exercise. Managing stress levels also was noted as being important to one’s overall wellness and disease prevention, showcasing how closely linked mental and physical health truly are. 

Wellness Franchise Opportunities

As awareness of the importance of physical and mental health has increased, so too has the need for businesses that help individuals meet their wellness goals. The franchise opportunities in this industry vary widely: meditation services, IV infusions, massage therapy and big box-style gyms. Here are a few brands that cater to the increase in demand for wellness franchises.

Nora Mental Health Franchise

Initial Investment: $85,000 to $205,000

Unit Count: 12

Nora Mental Health provides a wide range of therapy services, including individual, group and family therapy, as well as child and adolescent therapy services. 

The corporate team offers extensive training, meaning franchisees do not need to be mental health experts to invest. Franchisees can look forward to extensive support from pre-opening, with help on matters of staffing, location and funding, to the everyday running of their Nora Mental Health business. 

Workout Anytime Franchise

Initial Investment: $784,950 to $2,073,050

Unit Count: 180+

Workout Anytime is a fitness brand that offers consumers access to a 24/7 gym with a low-cost membership. The brand provides fitness programs to customers that aim to improve their overall mental and emotional health in addition to their physical fitness. With time being one of the biggest roadblocks for many adults who wish to include more exercise in their routine, the 24/7 model offers flexibility.

Franchisees can look forward to support from the corporate team in the form of training prior to opening and pre-negotiated real estate, ensuring their business is highly visible in the community. 

Squeeze Massage Franchise

Initial Investment: $543,645 - $889,521

Unit Count: 5

Squeeze Massage offers consumers a modern massage experience, with an app that allows them to book, pay, tip and indicate preferences for their treatments. Guests can tailor their experience by indicating preferences for pressure, aromatherapy, music and lighting, for example, for no extra charge.

Squeeze franchisees will benefit from the support of the centralized guest experience team to help them build customer satisfaction and loyalty. 

Improving Wellness With Franchising

The pandemic made us all more aware of how important our health is and it has become a top priority for many ever since. From therapy to yoga, there is no shortage of franchise opportunities available in the growing wellness industry. Many franchises address both mental and physical wellness, the two being so closely linked. If ever you were thinking of starting a franchise that promotes health and well-being, now is surely the time. 

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