Hand & Stone Appoints Franchise Development Veteran Jim Atkinson as Vice President

TREVOSE, PA (Dec. 3, 2024) – Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the nation's leading luxury massage and facial spa franchise, announced the addition of Jim Atkinson as Vice President of Franchise Development. With decades of proven leadership in franchise growth, Atkinson will oversee franchise development efforts for Hand & Stone, focusing on expanding new spa openings, evaluating emerging markets, and enhancing support for franchise owners through the development process.  

This strategic addition comes at a transformative time for Hand & Stone as the brand surpasses 650 locations across the U.S. and Canada, laying the foundation for an ambitious growth trajectory in 2025 and beyond.  

“Jim’s extensive experience in franchise development and his ability to execute strategic initiatives make him a valuable addition to help Hand & Stone achieve its next phase of growth,” said Jennifer Durham, Chief Development Officer of Hand & Stone. “His collaborative approach and dedication to franchisee success will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our relationships with owners, ensuring they have the resources and support to excel while maximizing profitability. We are thrilled to have Jim on board and look forward to his contributions in the year ahead.” 

Atkinson’s career includes leadership roles at industry-leading brands such as Sport Clips, Inc. and The UPS Store, Inc., where he played a pivotal role in their respective expansions. While at Sport Clips, he successfully led franchise development, real estate, and compliance teams, contributing to the brand’s expansion to 1,800 locations. Previously, he played a pivotal role in global franchise development at The UPS Store, earning a reputation for strategic planning and dynamic team leadership.  

“I’m honored to join a brand that is not only the leader in the spa industry but also deeply committed to providing its franchise owners with the resources they need to thrive within the industry,” said Atkinson. “Hand & Stone’s innovative approach, strong foundation, and focus on profitability growth make this an exciting time to contribute to the company’s growth. I look forward to building collaborative relationships with franchisees to help them achieve their goals and continue the brand’s remarkable success.” 

With more than 650 spas across the U.S. and Canada and offering both massage and facial services with innovative technologies, Hand & Stone is the massage and facial industry leader and fastest growing spa franchise concept. For more information about franchise opportunities, visit www.handandstonefranchise.com. 

ABOUT HAND & STONE MASSAGE AND FACIAL SPA   
Hand & Stone is a 650+ unit massage and facial spa franchise with a mission to deliver premium spa services to the middle market in a professional, affordable, and convenient manner. Launched in 2004, Hand & Stone now has locations across 40 states and Canada. Each spa features best-in-class massage and skincare treatment. Available for women, men and teens, a wide range of services are tailored to each individual's needs or skin concerns. Hand & Stone facial treatments are performed by licensed estheticians, using top-of-the-line products backed by science including Dermalogica, IMAGE Skincare and ClarityRx Clinical Skin Care. The fastest-growing spa franchise in the country, Hand & Stone has been named No. 1 in the spa category by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2023, 2021 and 2020 and was ranked No. 8 on Forbes' Best Franchises to Buy list in the high investment category.  

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