Franchise Anonymous 27+28: Assisted stretching studios and 3-in-1 tree care

Which one fits the bill for you?

Happy Sunday, folks. 

As a franchise consultant, I hear pitches from hundreds of different franchise concepts every year. 

I’m taking the most interesting ones, and telling you: 

  • What sets them apart

  • One potential weakness

  • Who the ideal buyer is

My promise: you’ll learn something about franchising every time. 

Today’s mystery franchises: Assisted stretching studios and 3-in-1 tree care.

The business: Assisted stretching studios

Most fitness and wellness franchises live in one of two extremes: either you’re slinging smoothies and hoping for foot traffic, or you’re running a full-service gym with all the complexity (and overhead) that comes with it. This one carves out a niche in the middle—with a simple model and a very specific service.

What they do differently

  • Proprietary equipment and method. Unlike yoga studios or massage chains, this concept has its own patented tables and strapping system, which stabilize the body so practitioners can deliver deeper, safer stretches. That sounds niche—and it is—but it also creates a clear point of difference and recurring value for clients.

  • No licenses needed for staff. Most wellness services require you to hire licensed massage therapists, physical therapists, or trainers. Here, they built their own training and certification system. That opens up a bigger hiring pool and helps keep payroll in check.

  • Zero closures to date. They’ve opened hundreds of locations and haven’t lost one yet. That doesn’t mean every unit is a gold mine—but it does suggest a fairly robust operational model.

  • 🚩Potential weakness: It’s still retail. Yes, it’s low overhead and doesn’t require expensive equipment. But you’ll still need a leased space, foot traffic, and local marketing. If you’re allergic to the idea of managing a brick-and-mortar business, keep looking.

The takeaway:

This one’s a fit for someone who likes structured systems and wants to plug into something with real brand momentum. You don’t need a fitness background—but you do need to be hands-on in building local awareness and hiring a solid team. The service is repeatable, low-risk, and appeals to a wide demographic.

The business: Tree care, but broader

Most landscaping brands pick a lane: mow lawns, remove trees, or spray for bugs. This one combines all three—tree care, lawn care, and pest control—into a single, recurring-revenue service for suburban homeowners who’d rather not DIY.

What they do differently

  • Three services, one brand. Tree work gets them in the door. Lawn care and pest control keep the trucks coming back. It’s a smart upsell strategy that builds dense routes and sticky customer relationships.

  • Preservation over removal. While most tree companies make money by cutting things down, this one focuses on saving trees. That positions them more like arborists than lumberjacks—and plays better with the eco-conscious crowd.

  • Home-based start, real growth potential. You launch lean—no storefront needed—with as few as four employees. But as recurring revenue builds, you can scale into new territories, add trucks, and grow your equity.

  • 🚩Potential weakness: Labor-intensive and seasonal. You’ll need skilled staff (climbers, crew leads), and work can slow down in winter depending on your market. If hiring or seasonality makes you twitchy, this might not be your fit.

The takeaway:

This is a solid pick for someone who wants a service business with tangible assets, recurring revenue, and multi-line expansion. You don’t need green industry experience, but you do need leadership chops and comfort with managing field teams. Strong brand, high-margin services, and open territory.

If these aren’t doing it for you, I work with hundreds of other brands. Get in touch and we can find something that scratches the itch.

Thanks for reading!

Connor

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