Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (Mar 22, 2011):   Massage Envy continues to climb the rankings on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2011 Franchise 500 list. The company ranked 64th overall (up from 88th last year) and 49th in the fastest growing franchise category.

There are 27 Dallas/Ft. Worth area locations, including four centers owned by Massage Envy’s Franchisee of the Year. In the last year, DFW area centers:

Performed 565,135 massages

Serviced 48,451 members

Saw a 20 percent increase in sales

“Our DFW sales were huge — a record last year,” says Lance O’Pry, Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Developer for Massage Envy. “Due to the success of our core services, we have added additional services, for example aromatherapy massage and deep heat muscle therapy. And we continue to hire across the region – managers, front desk, and licensed massage therapists.”

While the strength of the Massage Envy franchise appears to contrast sharply with the lingering economic malaise in the U.S., some economy-related stressors have actually boosted Massage Envy’s appeal.

For example, stress-inducing job uncertainty and anxiety over making ends meet have caused many Americans to include low-cost therapeutic massage as an essential routine for staying well.

Additionally, more companies are including therapeutic massage in their wellness programs as a cost-effective way to increase employee health, productivity, problem solving, creative thinking and job satisfaction.

Scientific research shows that therapeutic massage relieves stress, boosts the immune system, promotes physical well-being and even improves mental outlook — all of which can lower health care costs for companies.

“The strength of the enterprise nationwide and especially here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area illustrates the importance of therapeutic massage and the Massage Envy franchise model in today’s economy,” says Mr. O’Pry.. “We are very excited about the continued growth of the franchise — including plans for a new center in Corinth, Texas this Spring. Accompanying our business growth is a strong demand for therapists. Massage therapy is a growing profession that offers flexibility, good pay and an opportunity to help others that many young people should consider as they think about their futures.”

Entrepreneur magazine’s annual rankings are based on analysis of the financial strength, size, business stability and growth of franchise companies.

Massage Envy is open in 42 states, with 638 centers nationwide and 27 locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The company was recently named a top AllBusiness (a D&B company) AllStar Franchise, and is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA).

At Massage Envy, an introductory one-hour massage session (a 50-minute massage and time for consultation and dressing) is just $49. Memberships are available for $59 per month and include a one-hour massage session. Members can enjoy unlimited additional one-hour massage sessions at the $39 member rate.

Massage Envy in Texas and throughout the country has helped popularize massage. Americans visit massage therapists approximately 140 million times a year. The percentage of Americans using massage therapists has more than doubled since 1997.

Log on to www.massageenvy.com to find the nearest Massage Envy center. All centers are open seven days a week.