Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa has appointed franchise industry veteran Carrie Walsh as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, as the wellness brand looks to accelerate growth, strengthen franchisee performance and build on its leadership position in the massage and spa sector.
Walsh succeeds Todd Leff, who has served as Interim CEO and Chairman. Leff will support the leadership transition before continuing in his role as Chairman of the Board.
The appointment brings decades of franchise and consumer brand experience to Hand & Stone. Walsh most recently served as Interim CEO of Subway, where she oversaw the global development, profitability and expansion of the restaurant chain. Previously, she was President of Subway Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), leading a network of more than 6,000 franchise locations, and also held the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer. Earlier in her career, she held senior marketing leadership positions at Pizza Hut, PepsiCo and Michaels.
The leadership change comes as Hand & Stone reports record membership levels, systemwide sales that continue to outperform the broader spa industry and sustained consumer demand for wellness and self-care services. Under Walsh’s leadership, the company said it will focus on enhancing value for members while advancing service excellence across both franchised and company-owned spas.
In the official press release, Walsh said: “I’ve always been drawn to brands that have a positive impact on people’s everyday lives, which is one of the many reasons Hand & Stone immediately resonated with me. The brand has built something truly special, with a loyal membership base, a dedicated network of franchise owners and a strong reputation as a trusted destination for relaxation. I’m honoured to join the team and look forward to supporting our franchise owners’ continued success while building on Hand & Stone’s leadership in wellness at a time when stress relief and self-care are more important than ever.”
Todd Leff welcomed the appointment, stating: “Carrie brings an impressive combination of brand-building expertise, operational leadership and experience in leading brands through digital transformation. The Board and executive team are confident she is the right leader to help take the brand to new heights.”
Founded in 2004, Hand & Stone has grown into one of North America’s largest wellness franchise systems. The brand operates more than 650 massage and facial spas across 36 U.S. states and Canada. The company offers massage therapy, facial treatments and skincare services through a membership-based business model designed to deliver affordable, recurring wellness services.
The franchise has continued to gain industry recognition, recently earning the No. 1 ranking in the Massage and Spa Services category in the 2026 Entrepreneur Franchise 500. It has also been recognized by Forbes among the best franchises to buy in the high-investment category.
Walsh’s appointment comes at a time when Hand & Stone is positioning itself for its next phase of expansion, leveraging its growing membership base, strong franchise network and continued consumer demand for wellness services to drive long-term growth across its North American footprint.
