How sauna, light therapy and Pilates are becoming franchise empires

Think back a few years. Pilates was something used for dance rehabilitation. Saunas were either hotel amenities or gym rituals. Red light therapy? Most people had never heard of it. Fast forward to today, and these three wellness categories are everywhere – strip malls, social media feeds and the investment portfolios of savvy entrepreneurs who saw the wave coming.

Here's what's interesting though, this isn't a fad. It's a fundamental shift in how people think about their health, their bodies and spending their time and money. Wherever consumers are moving with conviction, smart business ownership follows.

If you've been thinking about buying a business – or you've been watching the wellness space with curiosity – this guide is for you. We're going to break down why Pilates, saunas and red light therapy franchises are so popular.

Key takeaways

• The global wellness economy reached $6.8 trillion in 2024 and is projected to hit $9.8 trillion by 2029, one of the fastest-growing sectors on the planet.
• Pilates, red light therapy and sauna are three of the most searched, most visited and fastest-franchising wellness categories right now.
• Membership-based revenue models make wellness and fitness franchises unusually stable for franchise owners compared to traditional retail or food concepts.
• Franchise Sidekick has carefully vetted top wellness franchise brands – including Pilates Addiction, Beem Light Sauna and Degree Wellness – so you don't have to sort through thousands of options alone.
• You don't need a fitness background to own a wellness franchise. You need the right brand and the right sidekick.

The trillion-dollar shift nobody's ignoring anymore

Let's start with the big picture because it's genuinely remarkable.

The global wellness economy reached $6.8 trillion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $9.8 trillion by 2029.

That's not a typo. Wellness now outpaces IT, tourism, the green economy and sports as a global industry. It's growing at roughly twice the rate of global GDP. The United States alone accounts for nearly 32% of the entire global market, making North America the undisputed epicenter of wellness spending.

But what's driving it?

People are living longer and wanting to feel better while they age. Chronic stress, burnout and mental health challenges have made self-care a real priority, not a luxury. Gen Z and Millennials are spending more on experiences and health than any previous generation.

That's where Pilates, sauna sessions and red light therapy come in. Each of these categories speaks directly to what today's wellness consumer actually wants: results they can feel, in a space that feels like a reward, not a chore.

Pilates: From boutique secret to billion-dollar franchises

If you've opened Instagram in the last two years, you've seen it. Pilates has had a cultural moment that most fitness categories only dream about. Studios are opening in neighborhoods everywhere. And the search data tells the same story. "Pilates" is one of the highest-volume fitness search terms on the internet, with 368,000 monthly searches and climbing.

But here's what matters from a franchise ownership perspective, the consumer enthusiasm has translated directly into business economics.

The global Pilates and yoga studio market generated $152 billion in revenue in 2023 and is projected to reach $417 billion by 2033, a compound annual growth rate of over 10%.

That's not slow, steady growth. That's a category in acceleration mode. And the franchise model is perfectly suited for capturing it because what makes Pilates work as a business is the same thing that makes it work as a workout: consistency, community and repetition.

Pilates studios run on recurring memberships. Members show up multiple times a week, not once a month. They bring their friends. They renew. They upgrade. It's the kind of business model franchise owners love because it creates predictable, recurring revenue rather than relying on a constant stream of new customers.

The Pilates brands in the Franchise Sidekick portfolio

The fitness franchise space has no shortage of Pilates concepts right now, but Franchise Sidekick has done the vetting work for you. Here are the three Pilates franchise brands in our portfolio worth knowing about.

JETSET Pilates

Founded in Miami in 2010 by Tamara Galinsky, JETSET sits firmly in the "modern Pilates" category – high-tension, low-impact, athletic and built for results. Their signature 50-minute classes run on custom reformers with curated DJ playlists, creating an elevated studio experience that drives unusually strong member retention.

JETSET began franchising in 2022 and has already grown to over 270 studios open or in development, with international expansion into the UK, Canada and the EU underway in 2026. Small footprint (1,500-2,500 sq ft), low staffing requirements and a recurring membership model make this a compelling operator opportunity. No fitness experience required.

Pilates Addiction

Pilates Addiction is led by Sarah Luna, former president of Xponential Fitness and one of the most experienced boutique fitness operators in the country. That pedigree shows in the brand's infrastructure. Pilates Addiction blends classical Pilates principles with fusion-style programming that incorporates strength training, mobility work and functional movement, appealing to a wide demographic from beginners to seasoned practitioners.

Backed by Sequel Brands, franchisees benefit from deep operational support and a multi-unit scaling playbook built by people who've already done it at massive scale. Over 200 territories have been sold since the franchise program launched, with 100+ studios targeted to be open by the end of 2026.

VIBE HOUSE Pilates

VIBE HOUSE is the newest and most differentiated concept in the group. Founded in Crown Point, Indiana by Rosalie Black, VIBE HOUSE combines infrared-heated mat-based Pilates with a music-driven, high-energy atmosphere – a combination no other franchise concept currently offers. Three signature class formats (VIBE Sculpt, VIBE Power and VIBE Restore) keep the experience fresh and cater to both intensity-seekers and recovery-focused members.

Crucially, there are no reformers, just mats, weights and infrared heat, which keeps build-out costs lower and allows studios (typically 1,600-2,000 sq ft) to accommodate 30-40 people per class versus the 12–15 typical of reformer studios. It's an early-stage brand with real whitespace and a model built for scale.

Each of these three brands takes a distinct approach to Pilates, which is actually a good thing for prospective franchise owners because the "right" Pilates franchise depends on your market, your investment range and what kind of experience you want to deliver.

Sauna: The ancient practice with a very modern business model

Sauna sessions are having a full-blown renaissance. What was once associated with gym locker rooms has been reborn as a premium wellness experience, and consumers can't get enough of it. Whether it's traditional sauna, infrared sauna, steam or contrast therapy, the category is growing fast. Monthly searches for "sauna" sit at 135,000 and continue to rise.

The science supports the enthusiasm. Regular sauna use has been linked in multiple studies to reduced cardiovascular risk, improved sleep quality, decreased chronic pain, enhanced mental health outcomes and improved circulation. As consumers look for wellness modalities that are both genuinely enjoyable and clinically meaningful, sauna checks every box.

From a franchise ownership standpoint, the economics are compelling. Sauna studios operate with relatively few employees, generate strong recurring revenue through memberships and benefit from deeply loyal customer bases. Once someone develops a sauna habit, they tend to keep it. That behavioral stickiness is the foundation of a great membership business.

Red light therapy: The science-backed treatment going mainstream

A few years ago, if someone told you that shining specific wavelengths of light on your body could reduce inflammation, improve skin, boost cellular energy and accelerate recovery, you might have raised an eyebrow. Today, that same person is probably running a profitable wellness studio.

Red light therapy has crossed the threshold from fringe to fully mainstream, and the growth curve is steep. The search volume for "red light therapy" sits at 301,000 monthly searches. Athletes, biohackers, dermatologists and everyday people with sore joints and tired skin are all discovering what this modality can do.

Unlike a doctor's office visit, a red light therapy session is relaxing. You lie or sit comfortably in a beautifully designed private room, and you're done in 10-20 minutes. It's accessible, it's science-backed, it's FDA-cleared in several applications and it pairs naturally with other wellness modalities like sauna, compression and IV therapy. That's a recipe for strong membership retention.

The sauna and red light therapy brands in the Franchise Sidekick portfolio

Beem Light Sauna

Beem Light Sauna is currently the only sauna brand in our portfolio, and it earns its spot for good reason. Rather than offering a single modality, beem combines infrared sauna, red light therapy and chromotherapy into one highly personalized wellness experience, with additional revenue streams from branded apparel and nutritional supplements. That multi-modality approach means members have more reasons to keep coming back, and franchise owners have more ways to generate revenue.

The experience itself is what drives retention. After just one session, many guests report tangible results: softer skin, reduced stress, better sleep and more energy. That kind of immediate, felt benefit is what turns first-time visitors into long-term members, and long-term members into the engine of a healthy franchise business.

Beem is backed by Sequel Brands, which brings deep franchising infrastructure to the table: reduced vendor pricing, a streamlined operational model and strong support systems designed to help franchise owners scale with confidence. For someone looking to enter the wellness space with a brand that goes beyond a single-use studio, beem offers a differentiated, multi-revenue concept in a category that's still very much in growth mode.

Degree Wellness

Degree Wellness is one of the most compelling full-spectrum wellness concepts in the space. Founded by Amanda Watts Lightcap, whose own journey through thyroid cancer led her to discover the transformative power of cryotherapy, sauna and red light therapy firsthand, Degree Wellness is a brand built on lived experience, not just market opportunity. That authenticity matters to today's wellness consumer, and it shows in member loyalty.

What sets Degree apart is the breadth of services under one roof: cryotherapy, infrared sauna, cold plunge, red light therapy, IV drips and IM injections, compression massage, oxygen therapy and non-invasive light facials. No other wellness studio in their category offers this many modalities in one place. That breadth creates natural cross-selling opportunities that drive higher average revenue per member, and it positions each location as a true one-stop wellness destination rather than a single-use studio.

Backed by Franworth, Degree Wellness franchisees benefit from reduced vendor costs, a streamlined staffing model and strong operational support from day one. Wide-open territory is still available, and the brand is actively investing alongside franchisees – a meaningful signal of long-term commitment to franchisee success.

Why franchising and wellness make sense – especially right now

Wellness is a proven consumer trend, but that doesn't mean every wellness business succeeds. Independent studios fail for the same reasons any small business fails: inadequate systems, poor marketing, no brand recognition and insufficient support when things get hard. The consumer demand is real. The execution gap is, too.

That's exactly what a good franchise model is designed to solve. When you buy a fitness franchise in a proven wellness brand, you're not starting from zero. You're stepping into a system that has already figured out the hard stuff. You get to skip the expensive trial-and-error phase that kills most independent businesses.

Boutique wellness concepts – Pilates studios, sauna centers, recovery studios – are growing 10 to 35 times faster than traditional gym formats, generating strong revenue at lower investment thresholds.

The membership model is a big part of the story. Unlike a restaurant that depends on daily foot traffic or a retail store that needs to continually move product, a wellness studio with a solid membership base has monthly recurring revenue that compounds over time. Members who come three times a week become your brand ambassadors. They bring friends. They post on social media. The business builds on itself.

And here's what often surprises people who are new to owning a business in the wellness space: you don't need to be a Pilates instructor or a wellness expert. You need business sense, a willingness to follow the system and the drive to build a community. The best wellness franchise owners aren't teaching classes, they're leading teams, managing member experience and building something they're proud of.

Let us help you find the perfect wellness brand

Buying a business is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. The wellness franchise space is exciting, genuinely, with data to back it up. But exciting doesn't automatically mean right for you. The right franchise depends on your financial picture, your lifestyle goals, the time you want to commit, the market you live in and a dozen other factors that are deeply personal.

That's what our team here at Sidekick exists for. We're your trusted, behind-the-scenes guide who helps you cut through the noise, understand the real numbers and find the opportunity that actually fits your life.

Our advisors bring over 100 years of combined franchise experience to every client relationship. We've reviewed the franchise disclosure documents. We've talked to franchisees across the brands in our portfolio. We've built our proven Sidekick 7 process that walks you through every critical phase of franchise evaluation, from initial research to final decision.

And the best part? Our services are completely free to you.

Like a great sidekick, we're in it for the mission, not the commission.

When it comes to wellness and fitness franchises specifically, we've done the work of identifying brands worth backing. We can help you think through whether a Pilates franchise fits your semi-absentee ownership goals or whether a sauna studio makes more sense given your market and investment range.

The wellness wave is here. The question is just whether you're going to catch it. Schedule a free, 10-minute call with an advisor today to explore your options.

Frequently asked questions about wellness franchises

What is a wellness franchise?

A wellness franchise is a business that operates under an established brand in the health, fitness or self-care space. Rather than starting a business from scratch, a franchise owner pays a franchise fee to license the brand's systems, name, training and ongoing support. Examples include Pilates studios, sauna centers, red light therapy studios and multi-modality wellness concepts. Wellness franchises are among the fastest-growing franchise categories in the U.S. right now.

How much does it cost to open a Pilates franchise?

Investment costs vary by brand. JETSET Pilates, for example, has a total estimated initial investment starting around $413,100 (see their current FDD for complete details). Other Pilates franchise concepts range from approximately $200,000 to $900,000+ depending on the brand, location and studio size. Your Franchise Sidekick Advisor can walk you through the full investment picture for any brand in our portfolio, including what to expect for ongoing fees and working capital.

Do I need fitness or wellness experience to own a wellness franchise?

No, and this surprises most first-time franchise buyers. The vast majority of successful wellness franchise owners come from completely outside the fitness industry: corporate professionals, former teachers, real estate investors and career changers of all kinds. What matters is strong people skills, a willingness to follow the proven system and the drive to build a community around your brand. The franchise provides the training and the operational playbook.

What is red light therapy, and why is it growing so fast?

Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of low-level light to penetrate skin and tissue, supporting cellular energy production, skin rejuvenation, inflammation reduction and recovery. It's been studied for applications including wound healing, joint pain and anti-aging. As consumers increasingly prioritize science-backed wellness modalities, red light therapy has moved from specialty clinics into mainstream franchise studios, making it one of the most compelling light therapy and wellness franchise categories to watch.

Are sauna franchises profitable?

Sauna studios built on membership-based models can generate strong recurring revenue with relatively low staffing requirements, typically four to six employees per mature location. Profitability depends on factors including location, member acquisition, retention rates and overall management. The most important step in evaluating any sauna franchise's potential is reviewing Item 19 of the brand's FDD, which contains actual financial performance data from existing franchisees.

What is a Franchise Disclosure Document?

The FDD is a legal document that every U.S. franchisor is required to provide to prospective franchisees before purchase. It contains 23 items covering everything from the franchise fee and total investment range to royalty structure, territory rights, franchisee obligations and actual financial performance data from existing locations in Item 19. Understanding the FDD is essential to making a smart franchise purchase decision. Your Sidekick Advisor can help you navigate it.

What makes wellness and fitness franchises a good investment right now?

Several factors align right now. The global wellness economy hit $6.8 trillion in 2024 and is projected to reach $9.8 trillion by 2029. Membership-based wellness studios generate recurring, predictable revenue. The category is supported by deep, lasting consumer behavior shifts toward preventive health and self-care. And boutique wellness franchise concepts are growing significantly faster than traditional gym formats. That said, not every brand or market is the right fit for every investor, which is exactly why thorough research and the right advisory support matter.

How does Franchise Sidekick help me find the right wellness franchise?

Franchise Sidekick is a free advisory service for prospective franchise owners. Our advisors use a proven seven-checkpoint process to help you evaluate franchise opportunities based on your financial goals, lifestyle preferences, risk tolerance and market. We've vetted the brands in our portfolio against rigorous criteria for unit economics, franchisee satisfaction, leadership strength and growth potential. We help you ask the right questions, understand your FDD, connect with existing franchisees and make your decision with clarity and confidence. And we do all of it for free.

Is now a good time to buy a business in the wellness space?

The data points toward yes with the important caveat that timing is only one factor in a good franchise decision. The wellness economy is in a strong growth cycle. Many wellness franchise categories still have meaningful market whitespace. And the franchise model reduces many of the risks of starting independently. But the best time to buy a business is when the opportunity aligns with your personal financial readiness and life goals, not just when the market looks good. A Sidekick Advisor can help you evaluate whether now is the right moment for you.