Float your (business) boat with City Cave
29th Aug 2024
Share it
By Emily Ainsworth
Day spas are a dime a dozen in Australia, costing an arm and a leg (as relaxed as those limbs might be). City Cave, though, is not your average day spa. It's a float and wellness centre offering beautifully appointed private float pools, infrared saunas and personalised massages. They’ve got all the hallmarks of a summer holiday, sans sunburn and overpriced cocktails!
With more than 30 new centres opened in the last 24 months and 1.5 million floats completed, City Cave is the fastest-growing wellness franchise in the world, expanding rapidly across Australia, New Zealand and soon, the US. Maybe it's the salt water, maybe it's their commitment to making premium relaxation experiences accessible to everyone.
The City Cave experience.
City Cave redefines the day spa concept. At the heart of their offerings is CAVEFLOAT™, a world-first float room featuring a double-bed-sized pool (not pods) filled with 400kg of Epsom salts. Combined with infrared saunas and personalised massages, this trifecta is scientifically designed to reduce stress, improve sleep, manage pain and boost creativity.
Why City Cave?
With nearly 70 successful centres, City Cave has built an award-winning reputation for excellence in the health and wellness industry. Their upcoming expansion into the US market allows franchisees to be part of a globally-recognised brand. As co-founder Tim Butters puts it, “We are obsessed with the franchisees' profitability, it's so important that City Cave doesn't just provide you with a lifestyle and wellbeing but also financial wellbeing.”
Accolades include:
- 2017 Brisbane Young Entrepreneur of The Year
- 2018 Brisbane Young Entrepreneur of The Year
- 2019 Top 100 Healthcare Companies Worldwide
- 2019 NextGen in Franchising Global Winner
- 2020 NextGen in Franchising All Stars
The investment.
Joining City Cave requires an investment of $650,000 to $700,000 AUD plus GST, covering equipment, build-out, franchise fees and deposits. Costs may vary by location and centre size, with potential landlord incentives available. It's a significant investment, but remember, you're buying into a proven business model in a booming industry.
The road to franchise ownership.
The straightforward process includes:
- Initial phone interview
- Brand review and assessment
- Application and financial planning
- Meeting with founders
- Agreement signing and due diligence
- Site selection and build-out.
In the early stages, City Cave provides a business planning tool to help you calculate potential viability and profitability. This tool covers all elements, from sales calculations to inputting rent, rates, operating costs, royalties and marketing. When it comes to the design and fit-out, City Cave handles the entire building process. From start to finish, you could be up and running in 6-8 months. It's not instant gratification, but good things come to those who float... er, wait.
Comprehensive support.
City Cave HQ ensures franchisee success through extensive support programs. They offer a comprehensive training package, including five days at the support office and additional on-site training. A dedicated team member guides franchisees through the entire launch process, from leasing to opening day, with ongoing marketing support pre- and post-launch. Continuous field support is provided via a business coach, regular reporting and scheduled meetings. Franchisees also gain access to a vast online training platform for staff development. City Cave manages all aspects of marketing, from national campaigns to local social media, allowing franchisees to focus on running their centres while benefiting from cohesive brand messaging.
The final word.
In an industry projected to reach $6 trillion by 2025, City Cave offers a tried and tested model with instant brand cred and comprehensive support. With 60% of small businesses failing within three years (ouch!), a City Cave franchise provides a stable opportunity in a growing market driven by increasing demand for wellness services.
Ready to float your way to success?
