Experienced Franchise Owners and Entrepreneurs Leverage Acquisition to Launch Spa Ownership and Continued Expansion
PHILADELPHIA – Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa (Hand & Stone), the nation’s leading massage and facial spa franchise, has announced the recent acquisitions of existing locations in Georgia and Florida. As part of its strategy to attract seasoned franchisees, Hand & Stone has given candidates the opportunity to launch their business at a quicker rate through acquiring established spas. Experienced entrepreneurs Asif Aswani and Leila Jiwani, Megan and Rob Davis, and Kal Gullapalli are taking over ownership of the Hand & Stone locations, bringing their wealth of expertise. These transitions not only reinforce Hand & Stone’s status as a leader in the wellness industry but also further bolster its local market presence while maintaining its established footprint.
A seasoned entrepreneur and CEO of MPZ Holdings, LLC, Kal Gullapalli manages a diverse portfolio of over 100 franchised locations across eight states. His ownership spans brands in various industries including VIO Med Spa, Restore Hyper Wellness, Marco’s Pizza, Pop Up Bagels, and Dave’s Hot Chicken. His latest venture, Hand & Stone of Orlando Downtown, which he acquired in February 2025, reflects his continued commitment to the wellness industry. With extensive experience in multi-unit operations and brand development, Gullapalli brings a strategic approach to business growth and customer experience. His expertise in scaling franchises and fostering strong operational systems aligns with Hand & Stone’s mission to provide the best-in-class personalized spa experience.
“Acquiring the Orlando Downtown spa is an exciting step as we enter the Hand & Stone system,” said Gullapalli. “Hand & Stone’s reputation for providing high-quality spa services aligns perfectly with our commitment to offering exceptional customer experiences. We are eager to build on this strong foundation, not only enhancing the Orlando Downtown spa but also exploring opportunities to expand Hand & Stone’s presence in the future.”
Also in Florida, new franchisees Megan and Rob Davis are investing in Hand & Stone through their recent acquisition of the Boca Raton spa. With nearly a decade of experience in aesthetic sales, the Davises initially signed their first agreement with Hand & Stone for the Royal Palm Beach location in May 2024. During their pre-opening process, they came across the opportunity to acquire the Boca Raton location and swiftly completed the acquisition. Their deep understanding of the health and wellness industry, combined with Megan’s background in advertising, sales management, and franchise operations, and Rob’s expertise in surgical sales, positions them for success in growing the business. As they prepare to open Hand & Stone Royal Palm Beach, their dedication to delivering exceptional wellness services and enhancing customer experiences underscores their commitment to the brand’s continued expansion.
Building on the momentum in Florida, the brand’s growth continues with new ownership in Georgia, where husband-and-wife duo Asif Aswani and Leila Jiwani have taken ownership Hand & Stone of Chamblee Brookhaven. Aswani is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in staffing, hospitality, and automotive industries, and also operates six Take 5 Oil franchises. Jiwani, with a background in healthcare and wellness, has worked extensively in children’s healthcare in Atlanta. The couple first connected with Hand & Stone at the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, where they explored the brand’s growth potential. Since acquiring the Chamblee Brookhaven spa in September 2024, Aswani and Jiwani’s have used their backgrounds to streamline business operations while ensuring high-quality wellness services.
“Our Franchise Development Team worked collaboratively to position these new franchise owners with a unique opportunity to leverage an existing spa with strong membership as an accelerator for growth,” said Jennifer Durham, Chief Development Officer for Hand & Stone. “With experience in other franchise and esthetics businesses, these owners can continue growing their acquired spas leveraging the brand’s strong reputation and operational support while seeking new sites for continued growth.”
The brand’s growth is driven not only by its high-quality spa services but also by its strong membership-based model, which provides franchise owners with a recurring revenue stream and a loyal customer base. This model offers entrepreneurs a stable foundation for growth while ensuring consistent demand for services.
Hand & Stone introduces high-quality professional massage and skincare services to each spa, offering Swedish, Himalayan Salt, Sports, Deep Tissue, Oncology, and Prenatal massages, along with its signature hot stone massage and best-in-class facials tailored to individual needs. Catering to women, men, and teens, the new spa provides a personalized wellness experience with advanced skincare treatments such as the Neveskin Cryo-Facial and Cryotoning, Diamond Glow facial, NuFACE microcurrent facial, and LED Phototherapy facial, as well as CBD oil enhancements and partnerships with award-winning skincare lines Dermalogica®, Image, and ClarityRX. Hand & Stone’s experienced licensed estheticians and massage therapists ensure every guest receives expert care in a tranquil, relaxing environment, supported by best-in-class training and ongoing education that upholds the brand’s commitment to exceptional service.
ABOUT HAND & STONE MASSAGE AND FACIAL SPA
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa was founded in 2004 by John Marco, a dedicated physical therapist with a vision to make high-quality wellness services accessible to everyone. Today, with over 650 locations across 38 states and Canada, Hand & Stone continues to set the standard in the spa industry. From therapeutic massages to advanced skincare treatments, the brand delivers exceptional, customized wellness experiences. By partnering with trusted names like Dermalogica, IMAGE Skincare, and ClarityRx Clinical Skin Care, Hand & Stone ensures every client receives top-tier quality. In addition to providing great service, Hand & Stone was recognized by CXcellence in 2024 for its outstanding customer-centric culture. The brand has ranked on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list for a decade, coming in first in the spa category several times. For more information on Hand & Stone Spa services, visit https://handandstone.com/. For information on the franchise opportunity, visit www.handandstone.com/franchise/.
