2014 Spells Growth for Woodhouse Day Spas

Woodhouse Day Spa plans to grow in 2014, adding 20 new locations to the mix, said Jeni Garrett, the company's founder, president and CEO. "In franchising, having 50 locations is a kind of sweet spot," she told the Victoria Advocate. Woodhouse already includes 40 spas domestically. "In 2014, we'll surpass that."

New locations include a boutique hotel in Quebec, Canada, she said, among others. Meanwhile, the franchise has 205 new sites under contract to open within the next five to 10 years. "We've never been a fearful company," Garrett said of the endeavor, which got off the ground in 2001 at 609 N. Wheeler St. "We're definitely excited about the growth, but with what we're all about, it's quality, not quantity."

New concepts are also in their beginning stages, Garrett said, explaining that teams are considering airport locations. In December, Woodhouse also opened a spa inside New Orleans' Ochsner Medical Center. As medical centers adjust to the Affordable Care Act, they're becoming more competitive, she said. "They want to offer those key differentiators like coffee shops and spas," Garrett explained. "We're in the test phase, but it's a new concept that could grow legs."

Franchise expansion isn't Woodhouse's sole focus for the coming year. Garrett said she plans to push domestic growth with hopes that Woodhouse can exceed the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co.'s level of customer service.

She said she also hopes to add new honors to the company's list of awards, which already includes recognition as Favorite Multiple Location Spa and Favorite Day Spa by American Spa Magazine, Best Website by DaySpa Magazine and other awards. This year, she said, the goal is to focus on the spa's No. 1 customers, its team members and to cinch the win as Forbes' "Best Companies to Work For" for both the franchise and its locations.