Behind My Decision to Leave the Restaurant Industry to Join Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa

By John Teza, Hand & Stone

After 20 plus years in the restaurant industry serving as an operator and developer, an investor, a consultant and an industry leader and advocate, I’ve chosen to make a career shift. Earlier this August I joined Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa as the brand’s president and chief development officer. While the restaurant industry will always hold a special place in my heart, I’m excited to grow into and help develop the continued success of the health and wellness industry.

The restaurant industry is undergoing perhaps one of its biggest shifts to date after being shaken up by a pandemic, and as its rules change and take on a new form I want to follow the powerful position Hand & Stone has staked for themselves in a critical consumer category to help further launch them into greater success.

My relationship to Hand & Stone is not a new one — I’ve been a member of the massage and wellness brand for over nine years. The nature of my job requires me to travel often and as a result my back isn’t always in the best of shape. Building regular massages into my wellness routine — and having a regular wellness routine — that’s supported by Hand & Stone has been so important to me, and for that reason in of itself I’m grateful to be a part of this brand.

I’ve kept a close eye on the growth and development of Hand & Stone, and it’s clear to me that its founder John Marco, and its CEO Todd Leff have built the brand with a strong foundation. They’ve been thoughtful about how its location footprint has been developed, their intention in the model for growth is unmatched. Additionally, Hand & Stone’s commitment to individual franchisee development has created a great number of leaders throughout the organization and I’m proud to come aboard.

Furthermore, I’m a fan of the natural diversity that’s ingrained in Hand & Stone’s business model. The brand’s three primary services — massage, skin care and hair removal -- are aligned throughout multiple revenue streams. Offering multiple services at one location eliminates the need for consumers to go elsewhere is to the brand’s advantage, and the nature of recurring memberships and gift card revenues give way for consumers to grow with the brand as well. For this reason, Hand & Stone and its franchise owners have been able fare successfully through the COVID-19 crisis.

Beyond strong leadership and its recession resistant model are the passionate and committed franchisees that help carry the success of the brand. Most have already seen entrepreneurial success in previous endeavors and they’ve brought that spirit with them to Hand & Stone. It’s because of their investment that we’re able to continue to see such steady growth.

Outside of the pandemic, the health and wellness industry has seen a significant boom over the last few years as consumers become more conscious of and attentive to their health and well-being. Hand & Stone is well-positioned to benefit from this growing trend and consumers continue to introduce wellness routines into their daily and weekly schedules in the same way that I have. They’re looking to be proactive and find affordable ways to improve the way they feel and care for themselves.

Data-driven health and wellness technology is still in its early stages. Reading from the handbooks of other industries -— restaurant included — who have already navigated this path, online bookings and check-in systems are providing Hand & Stone and others with the means to learn about what customers are looking for. This, combined with AI engines, are delivering actionable insights that help us build stronger relationships with our customers and how we can better improve their experience.

It’s during periods of disruption, like this one that COVID-19 has placed us in, that well-built organizations like Hand & Stone have the opportunity to grow and change in areas they may not have known they needed to. Hand & Stone is well positioned for continued success and I’m beyond excited to begin my journey with the brand.

John Teza is the president and chief development officer for Hand & Stone. Launched in 2004, Hand & Stone now has locations in 33 states and Canada. The brand has been named number #1 in the spa category by Entrepreneur Magazine for 2020, ranked number #8 on Forbes' Best Franchises to Buy list for 2019 in the high investment category and is the fastest growing spa concept in the country. For more information on International Franchise Association (IFA) franchisor member Hand & Stone, click here.