National sauna franchise to launch first Florida location in Sarasota

A trio of entrepreneurs has been awarded a franchise agreement in Sarasota to open a series of saunas. Glow Sauna Studios, headquartered in Texas, promotes health and wellness through infrared sauna and red light therapy. Terms of the Sarasota deal were not disclosed.

Glow Sauna Studios has locations under development around the country, with recent openings near Atlanta and Las Vegas. It provides saunas where people can detoxify their bodies, rejuvenate their skin, relieve pain and burn calories, among other benefits, according to Glow Sauna Studios.

Heading up the Sarasota operation will be entrepreneur and former anesthesia technician Joanne Lavery along with two ER nurses: her daughter and son-in-law, who is also a retired police officer.

"We are thrilled to bring Glow Sauna Studios to Sarasota,” the Laverys say in a statement. "The Glow Sauna experience is transformative, and we look forward to helping others achieve their health goals."

The investment required to open a Glow Sauna Studios location is $221,175 to $374,910, according to the franchise website. No licenses are required. 

“We’re a unique model with relatively lower cost to entry because we keep our entry very simple and our revenues are very high,” Chief Operating Officer John Kutaci tells the Business Observer. “We’re not reliant on specialty labor,” he adds, like a massage studio.

So far, the Laverys put in an offer that was accepted at Center Gate, according to Kutaci, who anticipates the first Glow Sauna Studios franchise opening in Sarasota in the second quarter of 2025. Other areas they have put in offers are at the Sarasota Pavilion and Plaza at Palmer Ranch, he says.

Going forward, the Laverys want to open three locations in the Sarasota area, Kutaci says, noting another party is interested in opening franchises in the Tampa area.

Each location will have 12 to 15 rooms, including about a dozen cabins that can accommodate multiple people, according to Kutaci, who says many people bring a friend. There are also a few solo pods. Sessions generally last 30 to 45 minutes.

The first Glow Sauna Studios opened in 2017 in Dallas, Kutaci says, and the company began franchising less than a year ago.

"We are excited to welcome this trio to the Glow Sauna family," founder Josh Terzo says in a statement. "This franchise sale reflects the increasing popularity of our concept and our dedication to supporting franchisees at every stage. We look forward to seeing their expansion in the greater South Tampa Bay area.”

This was updated to include areas where Glow Sauna Studios is looking to open in Sarasota.