Hand & Stone names new development chief
A leading massage and skincare services chain has tapped a health and wellness industry veteran to join its C-suite.
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa has announced the appointment of Matthew Stanton as its new chief development officer. In the role, Stanton will oversee franchise development, real estate, design, construction, and development purchasing, driving Hand & Stone’s continued growth.
Stanton brings more than 15 years of executive franchise leadership experience to Hand & Stone. Most recently, he served as chief development officer at Purpose Brands LLC (the parent company ofAnytime Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, Waxing the City, The Bar Method and Basecamp Fitness) for nearly three years.
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“Matthew’s experience scaling some of the nation’s top fitness and wellness franchises makes him an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” said John Teza, president and CEO of Hand & Stone. “His vision aligns perfectly with our mission to empower entrepreneurship within our brand and enhance the well-being of the communities we serve.”
Stanton’s past experience includes a two-year stint as Mici Handcrafted Italian’s chief growth officer, and serving as the chief development officer of WellBiz Brands Inc., the parent of five health and wellness chains.
Hand & Stone said that as it continues to expand its national footprint, Stanton’s leadership will be “instrumental” in guiding the company’s next chapter, focusing on smart market development, franchisee profitability, and a deepened commitment to wellness.
“Hand & Stone has created an ecosystem where franchisees don’t just survive, they thrive,” said Stanton. “Watching the brand rise to lead the wellness category in Average Unit Volume and unit growth has been remarkable. I’m thrilled to join a brand with such momentum and a clear purpose: helping entrepreneurs scale profitably while making wellness more accessible nationwide. With this talented team, strong four-wall economics, and unwavering commitment to wellness and franchise entrepreneurship, we’re just getting started.”
Founded in 2004, Hand & Stone operates more than 500 locations nationwide.
