The Massage Company announces first UK franchise agreement

UK membership salon concept The Massage Company has completed its first franchise agreement for a three centre-multi site deal.

The company’s first franchise since launching last year has been awarded to Taran and Sophie Bassi, a couple with a seperate business in London. The multi-site deal will see the pair open three Massage Company sites to join the existing company-owned branch in Camberley, Surrey.

As per The Massage Company blueprint, the new sites will be between 186 and 279sq m and will each employ 20 to 30 staff. All staff will be put through The Massage Company Training Academy Programme.

“When we started hearing about The Massage Company we knew straight away that it was a unique and interesting business model. I knew if there was one near me then I would use it – which is a criteria we used when we looked around [to see] what was available.

"We understand that we are the first, which adds an extra level of excitement and opportunity. We intend to open our initial three sites as soon as possible with the plan to open more after that," said Taran Bassi.

Elliot Walker, co-founder and commercial director responsible for franchising at The Massage Company, said: "We set up this business to franchise across the UK.

"To have built, opened, successfully traded and awarded our first multi-site franchise agreement within 12 months demonstrates the speed of roll out that can be achieved when you bring something new to the market."

A timescale has not yet been set for the new franchise sites. The Massage Company plans to also take the "membership-based massage" concept overseas, launching it into Europe.

While the company has not yet revealed which countries it may launch in, or when openings are likely to take place, a statment says openings are "likely in the near future."