Massage Envy Celebrated as a Leading Franchise for Veterans in 2026 Rankings
In a recent announcement, Massage Envy, recognized nationwide for its outstanding skin care services and being the leading massage provider in the United States, has made it to Entrepreneur's prestigious
2026 Top Franchises for Veterans list, ranking
90th overall. This marks a significant improvement from its previous position of 100th in 2025, reflecting the company’s commitment to enhancing opportunities for veteran franchise owners.
Supporting Veterans in Business
The annual list published by Entrepreneur assesses 150 franchise brands based on various parameters, primarily focusing on the incentives offered to veterans, the efforts made to attract and support veteran franchisees, and their performance in the
Franchise 500 rankings. According to
Todd Schrader, the CEO of Massage Envy Franchising, veterans bring essential leadership skills and a service-first mindset to franchise ownership, making them an ideal match for the brand's values of community and care.
Veterans who choose to join the Massage Envy franchise do so for a variety of personal and professional reasons, aligning their commitment to service with the mission of the brand. For instance,
Mark Mooney, a retired Marine Corps Colonel, has successfully operated two Massage Envy locations with his wife for over 16 years. He expresses his admiration for the brand's philosophy, stating, "Massage Envy in particular offered something I found genuinely meaningful – a business built around caring for people."
Individual Stories of Veteran Franchisee Success
Another notable franchisee,
Wardell Bradley, a Navy veteran, highlights how Massage Envy provided him with the perfect platform to utilize his operational skills, transforming the business into a stronger entity. He points out, "For me, it wasn't just about buying a business. It was about building on a proven foundation and finding ways to make the business and the team even stronger."
Additionally,
Donald Taylor, a Marine Corps veteran alongside his wife, discovered the brand while researching franchise opportunities in 2007. Upon learning about the concept through Entrepreneur, they fell in love with the idea and transitioned from their previous careers to fully commit to their franchises.
For
Robert Lovingood, an Air Force veteran, the lack of a Massage Envy location in his new community presented a unique opportunity, one that he could not ignore. "Recognizing both a local need and a strong business potential helped guide our decision to open a franchise in our area," he explains.
The Philosophical Alignment with Care and Leadership
Mike Oster, a retired Army Brigadier General, resonated deeply with the brand's focus on caring for clients, which closely mirrors his own leadership principles developed over 36 years in the military. He reflects, "One of the most important lessons I learned in the Army was that you take care of your people, and your people will take care of the mission."
The community engagement doesn’t go unnoticed:
Mario Hawkins and his wife Marissa, who own ten locations across Nevada, received the
2026 Spirit Award for their impactful community involvement. They assert, "Franchise ownership has provided us with greater opportunities to positively influence the communities we serve."
Continuing Success and Recognition
This accolade fits seamlessly within a broader spectrum of industry recognition for Massage Envy, which includes rankings in
Entrepreneur's 2026 Franchise 500 and
Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owners, along with the
2026 Franchise Times Top 400. Furthermore, the brand was awarded the title of the
No. 1 Best Massage Chain in the 2026
Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards.
With over two decades of experience, Massage Envy combines strong national brand recognition, a membership-based business model, and continuous support to empower franchise owners in building successful businesses within the wellness industry. Potential franchisees interested in joining the Massage Envy network can learn more through their official website.
About Massage Envy
Based in
Scottsdale, Arizona, Massage Envy operates as a national franchisor that does not own or manage its franchises directly. Since its inception in 2002, the company has expanded its reach, providing professional massage services, skin care, and assisted stretch services through independently owned and operated locations across 49 states. Collectively, these franchises have delivered over
240 million services, reinforcing Massage Envy's commitment to enhancing wellness across America. For further details, visit
MassageEnvy.com.