Pause Studio is a wellness-studio franchise offering several service categories within one location. For prospective owners, the key questions concern the approved studio format, staffing, medical-service arrangements, training and local customer demand. A service menu or membership program does not establish health outcomes or profitable operations.
This article uses the August 26, 2026 FDD issued by Pause Franchisor Inc., with emphasis on Items 1, 5, 11, 15 and 16.
Studio formats and services
Item 1 describes flotation, vitamin infusion, cold plunge or contrast, sauna, compression, NAD+ and LED light services; cryotherapy may also be included. These are the franchisor’s service categories, not an independent clinical endorsement.
The disclosed Option 1 is typically a smaller studio with one float room and no cryotherapy. Option 2 is larger and typically has two float rooms and cryotherapy. The franchisor decides which format it will grant. Confirm the exact service mix, layout and equipment for the location you are considering.
Customers can purchase individual services, multi-session packs or memberships. When evaluating the model, investigate member retention, appointment capacity, utilization and the cost of delivering each service. Membership sales do not guarantee recurring income or customer renewal.
Owner and manager responsibilities
For an entity-owned franchise, Item 15 requires an Operating Principal who owns at least 51% of its voting and ownership interests. If that person will not supervise the studio for more than 40 hours per week, the franchisee must employ an acceptable full-time manager to handle daily administration.
The owner or Operating Principal retains management and decision-making control and must complete training even when an approved manager supervises daily operations. This is a conditional management arrangement, not an assurance that the business requires little time or minimal staffing.
Item 16 also addresses licensed Authorized Care Providers and applicable medical-director or professional-entity arrangements. Establish the requirements for each service in the proposed location before developing a staffing plan. Franchise training does not replace professional licenses or required certifications.
Initial training and continuing support
The Item 11 table estimates 40 hours of in-person instruction and 50 hours of practical training. Topics include services and products, sales, daily operations, software, membership management, cleaning and maintenance. The franchisor can deliver training online, at headquarters, at the studio or at another selected location, and actual hours depend on participants’ experience.
The initial franchise fee covers training for up to three attendees. Additional attendees can incur fees, and travel, lodging, meals and wages are owner expenses. Ask for the schedule and attendance requirements that apply to your opening.
Pre-opening assistance includes training, site approval, design specifications and guidance on approved supplies and services. Continuing assistance and additional training are provided at times and in ways the franchisor determines necessary. Clarify the specific opening support you will receive rather than assuming a fixed five-day launch-manager visit.
Investment questions and the veteran discount
Prepare a budget for your approved format, premises, construction, equipment, professional staffing, training travel, marketing and operating reserves. Obtain the current FDD and amendments and reconcile its estimates with written local quotations. This article does not present a complete startup budget or an earnings forecast.
Item 5 confirms a $5,000 initial-fee discount for honorably discharged United States veterans. It applies once to the qualified veteran’s first franchised business. Confirm eligibility and documentation before assuming the discount applies to a proposed purchase.
Ask directly about current territory availability and any applicant residency or immigration-related eligibility requirements. Do not assume that acceptance of an applicant establishes eligibility for a particular visa.
Evaluate the local studio opportunity
- Which services will the franchisor approve for this location and format?
- Who will provide and supervise services requiring professional credentials?
- How will the studio manage bookings, cleaning, equipment maintenance and customer questions?
- What member-retention and utilization assumptions underpin your budget?
- What costs continue if the opening is delayed or sales are below plan?
Visit the Pause Studio franchise profile and speak with current and former operators. Our franchise research guide and overview of working with a franchise consultant provide further comparison questions.