CG Funk played a key role in the massive expansion of US-based Massage Envy
CG Funk – the former vice president of product development for US-based franchise Massage Envy – has joined the board of The Massage Company – a UK-based franchise venture. She’ll help drive the company’s growth in the UK by consulting with the company on training and franchise systems.
Launched in 2016 by Charlie Thompson – the current UK Spa Association chair, who has also worked for QHotels and Virgin Active – and Elliot Walker, former managing director of Murad, The Massage Company offers a simple selection of four massage treatments: deep tissue, sports, Swedish and maternity.
Funk is a 25-year spa industry veteran and played a key role in the massive expansion of US-based Massage Envy, working with a team that grew the brand from 30 franchised locations to more than 1,100.
“I knew I could bring valuable insights and expertise to support The Massage Company’s growth and sustainability,” says Funk. “The Massage Company is the first franchise massage model to market in the UK, which gives them a unique and positive opportunity to grow faster than average with the lack of competitors. The UK market is currently an open playing field for The Massage Company model, which is a huge opportunity for quick expansion.”
Funk says she appreciates The Massage Company’s focus on training and education, its “tightened-down” sales process, and Thompson and Walker’s hands-on approach.
Thompson says he knew when he first met her that Funk was someone he wanted to work with. “Directing multi-site spa operations is my background, but we have a huge learning curve in both membership-based subscription services and franchising,” says Thompson. “We know CG brings solid credibility as we bring both new franchisees and properties into discussions.”
Funk says Massage Envy grew so substantially because the team spent time teaching consumers and franchisees the benefits of regular massage.
“We did this through an affordable membership programme and great marketing,” says Funk. “At the end of the day, it’s truly about helping the average consumer understand why these services are so important to their overall wellness, and helping franchisees understand the solid business opportunities the brand gives.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2017 issue 4
Promotional feature: Anne Semonin
Katherine Connolly, newly appointed global
director of retail and spa operations at Anne
Semonin, discusses her plans for the brand
Promotional feature: Thalion
Thalion is the first company to develop highly
specialised mineral therapies for clients, says
training manager Sophie Alemany
Research: Finishing touch
A new study shows that massage can
help muscle re-growth after an injury –
even when applied to the opposite limb
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
CG Funk played a key role in the massive expansion of US-based Massage Envy
CG Funk – the former vice president of product development for US-based franchise Massage Envy – has joined the board of The Massage Company – a UK-based franchise venture. She’ll help drive the company’s growth in the UK by consulting with the company on training and franchise systems.
Launched in 2016 by Charlie Thompson – the current UK Spa Association chair, who has also worked for QHotels and Virgin Active – and Elliot Walker, former managing director of Murad, The Massage Company offers a simple selection of four massage treatments: deep tissue, sports, Swedish and maternity.
Funk is a 25-year spa industry veteran and played a key role in the massive expansion of US-based Massage Envy, working with a team that grew the brand from 30 franchised locations to more than 1,100.
“I knew I could bring valuable insights and expertise to support The Massage Company’s growth and sustainability,” says Funk. “The Massage Company is the first franchise massage model to market in the UK, which gives them a unique and positive opportunity to grow faster than average with the lack of competitors. The UK market is currently an open playing field for The Massage Company model, which is a huge opportunity for quick expansion.”
Funk says she appreciates The Massage Company’s focus on training and education, its “tightened-down” sales process, and Thompson and Walker’s hands-on approach.
Thompson says he knew when he first met her that Funk was someone he wanted to work with. “Directing multi-site spa operations is my background, but we have a huge learning curve in both membership-based subscription services and franchising,” says Thompson. “We know CG brings solid credibility as we bring both new franchisees and properties into discussions.”
Funk says Massage Envy grew so substantially because the team spent time teaching consumers and franchisees the benefits of regular massage.
“We did this through an affordable membership programme and great marketing,” says Funk. “At the end of the day, it’s truly about helping the average consumer understand why these services are so important to their overall wellness, and helping franchisees understand the solid business opportunities the brand gives.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2017 issue 4
Promotional feature: Anne Semonin
Katherine Connolly, newly appointed global
director of retail and spa operations at Anne
Semonin, discusses her plans for the brand
Promotional feature: Thalion
Thalion is the first company to develop highly
specialised mineral therapies for clients, says
training manager Sophie Alemany
Research: Finishing touch
A new study shows that massage can
help muscle re-growth after an injury –
even when applied to the opposite limb
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively
to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using
colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn)
entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials
proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and
economic development strategy.
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