The Membership Model: How It Sets Up Franchises For Success
The membership model has become a cornerstone for franchise success, particularly in service-based industries like fitness, spas, and personal care. By fostering recurring revenue and building a loyal customer base, this approach offers a stable foundation for growth.
The same is true when this membership model is applied to business, manifesting in various forms. From professional organizations requiring annual fees to country clubs and wholesale clubs, the principle of recurring revenue is clear.
However, businesses like MassageLuXe, a spa franchise, elevate this model by providing membership opportunities that not only supply a steady revenue stream for franchise owners but also deliver substantial perks for clients, including customizable massage and facial amenities, product and waxing discounts, and unlimited HydroLuXe sessions. This dual benefit—a reliable revenue stream for the business and tangible value for the customer—is key to the membership model's power in driving franchise success.
Financial Benefits
Requiring members to pay these recurring fees to access services or privileges of the business is the essence of the membership model. The benefit of this business plan is that it provides a guaranteed stream of monthly income. Different membership levels may require distinct pricing tiers. At MassageLuXe, for example, we offer four tiers of membership, each providing specific services to best meet that client’s needs. This revenue source can greatly improve the overall financial outlook for business through:
- Recurring payments: The membership model provides a continuous cash flow. Rather than dropping one lump sum of money, spreading out payments is often better for the customer’s budget and provides a continual revenue stream for the business, guaranteeing monthly income and profit potential.
- Brand loyalty: Membership buy-in from a customer shows their preference for one business versus the competition. With that loyalty, they expect exclusive deals. Their monthly membership fees may provide preferential treatment or access to new promotions or events before the general public. Loyalty produces benefits for the business, too, including members getting special rates or services for recruiting friends and family to the business.
- Increased sales opportunities: This model lends itself to sales boosts, or upsell. Having additional products or add-on services at a special rate intended only for members can increase revenue.
Developing and Maintaining Guaranteed Income
Businesses decide the best economic renewal of membership and get permission from the customer to charge a credit card or bank account on file to collect the agreed-upon subscription. Typically, the agreement also includes language stating that membership may be canceled at any time based on acknowledged criteria. At MassageLuXe, our memberships are month-to-month. We encourage clients to enjoy the benefits of membership by allowing unused services to roll over to the next month.
Membership or subscription-based business models are a great strategy for certain kinds of businesses because they can guarantee income each month and help keep the business alive and thriving. The challenge for businesses is increasing customer acquisition and retention. Not only does a business have to reach specified benchmarks of membership numbers, but those subscribers must be maintained to ensure monthly payments.
Many companies prefer the subscription-based revenue model over a one-time payment because it generates revenue in regular intervals, and provides guaranteed income even during tough economic times. Recurring revenue is becoming an enviable model that applies to many sectors.
An Appealing Model
We see recurring revenue in industries like entertainment, where there are subscriptions to streaming services. Plus, millions of people pay for software, apps or cloud services that are automatically charged to a credit card monthly or annually.
MassageLuXe is Built for Success
In franchising there are any number of industries that utilize the efficiency of this recurring revenue model. It’s popular with meal delivery services, gyms and especially spas like MassageLuXe.
MassageLuXe is a pioneer in wellness membership franchises. We designed our membership pricing model to encourage ongoing client participation and visits, create steadier sales cycles, and reduce administration and billing time. For franchise owners, it means a better chance for success when opening a massage business. Not only do our franchisees gain the benefits of our recurring revenue model, but they also partner with a recognized and respected franchise brand, enjoying the advantages of a business with growing consumer demand.
Massage is an $18 billion industry, as wellness has become a high priority for our customers who want to relieve stress and enjoy being pampered. But massage is now seen as complementary medicine and a must-have for many who are experiencing acute or chronic pain or stress.
As previously mentioned, massage is not the only offering on our menu of services; clients can enjoy facials and waxing as well. We believe a variety of services enhances the scope of revenue options. As a franchise owner, offering a greater selection in addition to upselling facial and massage products and service add-ons complements in-spa services for guests and creates multiple revenue opportunities.
Learn more about franchising with MassageLuXe here. To discover more about spa franchise opportunities with MassageLuXe, scroll down to fill out the contact form here.