StretchLab Fitness Open New Franchise in Carytown: The local StretchLab franchise is expanding its footprint in Richmond with the opening of a new assisted-stretching studio on West Cary Street, further strengthening the city’s growing fitness franchise market.
The new StretchLab Franchise will launch on Feb. 5 at 3324 West Cary Street. It will be the third franchise in the Richmond area run by local owners Puneet Manaktala and Ritesh Pandey, marking their first studio in Carytown. The partners also Operate StretchLab Franchises in Short Pump and Midlothian.
Manaktala noted that his Fascination with the StretchLab franchise model started after he utilized the service to alleviate back pain. He subsequently partnered with Pandey, an old friend and fitness and jiu-jitsu aficionado, to expand the brand in the local area. Both franchise owners remain employed at TD Bank while overseeing their StretchLab Enterprises .
Why Carytown
The Franchise owners spent more than a year searching for a Carytown location, eventually selecting a 1,500-square-foot space for its visibility and Accessibility, allowing the franchise to better serve Richmond residents closer to the city center.
“We wanted to reach customers who don’t want to travel to Short Pump or Midlothian,” Manaktala said. “Opening a Carytown franchise location allows us to expand our reach.”
The lease was brokered by Ellen Long of Taylor Long Properties for the StretchLab franchise and Chris Corrada of One South Commercial for the landlord.
Franchise Services and Pricing
The StretchLab franchise offers 25-minute targeted stretching sessions and 50-minute full-body sessions, delivered through hands-on, one-on-one stretching. Instructors, known as “flexologists,” complete a 50- to 70-hour assisted stretching certification program, according to the company.
Customers are Stretched by hand, without machines, using customized techniques. The Carytown franchise location will also include a 3D mobility assessment system that tracks progress through a mobility score.
Sessions typically Cost $40 for 25 minutes and $80 for 50 minutes.
StretchLab franchise customers include athletes, individuals with muscle pain, and professionals such as chiropractors and physical therapists.

Staffing and Franchise Growth
The Carytown StretchLab franchise studio plans to employ 10 to 12 team members once fully operational. It currently has six employees, while Manaktala and Pandey employ about 35 people across their three franchise locations.
Founded in California in 2015, StretchLab has grown into a national fitness franchise brand with approximately 450 locations across the United States.
Conclusion
The launch of the new StretchLab franchise in Carytown illustrates the ongoing interest in specialized wellness franchises concentrating on mobility, recovery, and sustained health. By extending nearer to downtown Richmond, the franchise owners are setting the brand up for wider community engagement and long-term growth
Reader Question
Q: Do you think wellness-focused franchises like StretchLab will continue to grow as part of the future of the fitness industry?
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