PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine has again honored franchisee excellence with its annual MVP (Most Valuable Performer) Awards. The winners, chosen from a long list of multi-unit franchisee nominees, are the country’s best and brightest power operators, innovators, and creative thinkers who have demonstrated outstanding performance in growing both their organization and their brands. Eric Danver of Hand & Stone was recognized with the Mega Growth Leadership Award.
Danver initially began his Hand & Stone journey in 2014, and took just five years to become the brand’s largest operator. He has since expanded his footprint to 48 Hand & Stone locations in eight states along the East Coast. For Danver, though, revenue isn’t everything. Not only has he remained focused on his growth as a franchisee owner and operator, but he has also maintained his dedication to serving as a mentor for those he works most closely with, promoting staff from within and pushing them to take advantage of education and training opportunities from Hand & Stone.
“I learned a lot about franchising from my early days working as an assistant manager at a quick service restaurant, and eventually as owner of 53 pizza franchises across the U.S.,” said Danver. “But beyond learning the ins and outs of the franchise business, I’ve always found it most important to create a supportive and uplifting environment for my employees. I prioritize fostering a positive environment for everyone who works with me, so they not only set themselves up for success, but ultimately also drive success for the spas they work in. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my teams. I’m incredibly honored to have been selected for an award such as this one and I look forward to continuing to grow with my Hand & Stone family.”
This year’s outstanding multi-unit franchisees each were presented with a coveted MVP Award at the recent Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, held April 25–28 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas and attended by more than 2,200 attendees.
Judges searched for the best, brightest, and most inspiring multi-unit franchisees before selecting 12 category winners. Each winner will be profiled in Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine.
About Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Hand & Stone is a 550-plus unit massage and facial spa franchise with a mission to bring affordable, luxury spa services to all. Launched in 2004, Hand & Stone now has locations across 35 states and Canada. Each spa features best-in-class skincare treatments highlighting the latest in cosmetic technology. Available for women, men and teens, a wide range of services are tailored to each individual’s needs or skin concerns. Hand & Stone facial treatments are performed by licensed estheticians, using top-of-the-line products backed by science including Dermalogica and ClarityRx Clinical Skin Care. The fastest-growing spa franchise in the country, Hand & Stone has been named No. 1 in the spa category by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2023, 2021 and 2020 and was ranked No. 8 on Forbes’ Best Franchises to Buy list in the high investment category. For more information, visit www.handandstonefranchise.com.
About Franchise Update Media
Franchise Update Media has been a leader in the franchising space for 35 years. Founded in 1988, the company produces online franchise opportunity and educational websites, two quarterly print magazines, six newsletters, four annual conferences, independent research, and books, entirely focused on franchising. Targeting franchise audiences online, in print, and in person, Franchise Update Media delivers a unique combination of educational and lead generation sources to help franchisors, multi-unit franchisees, opportunity seekers, and suppliers achieve their growth objectives. For more information, visit franchising.com.
