500 Studios Strong: A Franchisee’s Inspiring StretchLab Success Story
Partnership
Sponsored By Xponential Fitness
Founder of a tech start up, forward-thinking tech entrepreneur and champion of podcasting innovation, Cole Raven found his way into the wellness franchise world somewhat unexpectedly — and it’s proving to be lucrative
A chance workout at a Body Fit Training (BFT) studio in New Zealand during an anniversary trip with his wife impressed both entrepreneurs and sparked their interest in pursuing Xponential brands more deeply. Fast forward, and they opened their first StretchLab location in Honolulu, Hawaii six weeks ago.
Raven and his wife – leveraging her background as a physical therapist – now hold licenses for three StretchLab locations in Hawaii. Their first studio launched in October 2024, and when asked why he chose StretchLab, Raven’s response was rooted in purpose and family.
“My wife’s experience as a physical therapist attracted us to the StretchLab brand as a way to bring health and vitality to our community and build something we could be proud of and believe in,” Raven explains. “Our kupuna (grandparents/elders) want to remain active, and I knew the science-backed approach of StretchLab would appeal to them in a way that’s not intimidating.”
Raven’s Honolulu studio is – coincidentally – the brand’s 500th location, a milestone not only for him but for StretchLab as a whole.
“We are delighted to mark 500 locations and break in as the first StretchLab located in Honolulu to bring the relieving power of assisted stretching to the community,” Raven says. “StretchLab has given my family the opportunity to open a business that is purpose-driven, community-centered and genuinely changes lives for the better.”
StretchLab Expansion as Demand for Wellness Solutions Soar
StretchLab, part of Xponential Fitness’s portfolio of boutique fitness brands, is aimed at offering consumers a way to enhance mobility, reduce injury risk and improve quality of life.
StretchLab members work with Flexologists in 25- or 50-minute sessions tailored to their needs. The services appeal to a wide audience, from active seniors to athletes, and even those simply looking to improve their day-to-day lives. The studio also integrates advanced technology, such as Physmodo MAPS, to track and customize client progress.
“There are no gimmicks or complicated equipment, just a simple, fresh solution for everybody, no matter why they enter our doors,” says Raven.
Clearly, they are onto something.
With studios in 45 states and international locations in Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico and Kuwait, StretchLab has awarded 1,000 licenses worldwide, cementing itself as a leader in the wellness industry.
When the Ravens opened their doors, it quickly became clear there was a strong need for this type of service in Honolulu.
“The biggest surprise was the demand,” Raven recalls. “We weren’t prepared for the overwhelming number of calls, emails, walk-ins and referrals in the month we opened, so we were slightly understaffed. Our schedule was completely booked weeks in advance, so we had to quickly grow the team and consider opening the second studio sooner than expected.”
The Power of Support
Another key factor that drew the Ravens to StretchLab was the extensive support the brand provides to its franchisees. From site selection and lease negotiation to staff recruitment and marketing strategy, StretchLab ensures that franchisees have the resources they need to succeed.
Raven credits this support as a major factor in his smooth launch. “We also worked with a recommended advertising agency for pre-sale initiatives and achieved incredible results with a high volume of leads that enabled us to open the first studio cash-flow positive and financially ready to pursue studios two and three quickly,” he explains.
In collaboration with the brand, Raven also took a creative approach by leasing a short-term space in a popular mall near the studio’s location to generate leads during pre-sale. “The mall foot traffic generated lots of leads for us,” he shares.
Day-to-day operations have been another area where the brand’s support has made a difference. “With help from StretchLab I hired a Studio Manager to help open my first location,” Raven says. “We communicated daily, and I trusted him to execute on the day-to-day operations while I focused my efforts on the logistics of construction and community engagement.”
Impacting Lives Through Stretch
For Raven, the most rewarding aspect of owning a StretchLab has been the transformative stories he hears from clients.
“The experience has more than met my expectations, especially with the client testimonials we receive regularly,” Raven shares. “One of our members came in weekly for a stretch in preparation for climbing Kilimanjaro – and accomplished it! Other members have been able to participate in sports again like pickleball and play on the floor with their grandchildren – things that were not possible for them before regular stretches. Hearing these stories makes all the effort feel worth the time and investment, knowing we’re healing the community with every stretch and enabling members to live their best lives.”
When asked what advice he would give to someone considering opening a StretchLab, Raven emphasizes the importance of people management.
“Understand that your role as a franchisee is almost entirely people management,” he advises. “All that really matters is maintaining a happy and motivated team that you trust to execute on the priorities of the business.”
Raven says that part comes easy.
With StretchLab, the team can rally around the idea of being a health benefit to the community that’s making a real impact. The whole team hears heartwarming stories every day inside the studio, which is incredibly gratifying and motivating.”