America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —
Red Light Method pairs two things most recovery studios keep separate: a 25-minute session on an FDA-cleared Contour Light System, then ten minutes of whole-body vibration on a Power Plate. Members come every other day on one membership rather than paying per treatment. Participating studios add Pilates, infrared sauna, PEMF and EWOT. Footprints run 1,200 to 3,000 square feet. Allison Beardsley founded Club Pilates before this, and live instructor-led Pilates reformer classes arrive in 2027.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $100,000 (readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets — not from borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income)
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator
- Location Type: Studio, 1,200–3,000 square feet
- Time Commitment: Full-time
- Experience Required: None; wellness background not required
About Red Light Method
Allison Beardsley founded Club Pilates before launching Red Light Method in 2022, after using red light therapy during her own recovery from COVID. Franchising opened in March 2024. Two years in, the brand has 19 open studios, nine in presales, and more than 70 in development. Eric Tepper is CEO.
The core visit is a 25-minute Contour Light session followed by ten minutes on a Power Plate. Participating locations add digitally guided Pilates Reformer classes, a full-spectrum infrared sauna, Styku 3D body scanning, PEMF mat therapy, and EWOT. Membership runs $80 to $200 a month.
Why Own a Red Light Method Franchise?
- Power Plate and current reformer sessions are digitally guided, which has kept studio payroll light through the build-out phase.
- Live instructor-led Pilates reformer classes launch in 2027, supported by a proprietary certification program the founder is developing for franchisees and their teams.
- Owners buy equipment through the franchisor’s wholesale pricing rather than at retail, and the founder does not take margin on startup costs.
- One membership covers services that frequently cost $150 to $250 per treatment when bought separately elsewhere.
- Flexible footprint from 1,200 to 3,000 square feet, so owners can match the space to their market and their rent.
- The core offering is the FDA-cleared Contour Light System paired with Power Plate vibration, with additional modalities available at participating locations.
- Multi-unit development is the norm rather than the exception — one owner operating in Fayetteville has three additional North Dallas locations in development.
- Founded by the original founder of Club Pilates, who scaled that brand nationally before starting this one.
“In our first year of franchise development at Red Light Method, we were growing at three times the speed of Club Pilates when I started it,” Beardsley said. “Now we get to combine that momentum with everything I learned building a Pilates brand. With live Pilates, I believe we’re adding jet fuel to an already successful expansion.”
Why This Opportunity, Why Now
ABF Market Analysis —
Recovery has become its own category in wellness, separate from fitness. People who will not join a gym will pay for a 35-minute appointment that asks nothing of them athletically, and that widens the customer base well past the usual studio demographic. Red light in particular has moved from professional sports into consumer settings over the past few years. Memberships turn that interest into recurring monthly revenue. The category is also still mostly independent operators with a single device, rather than branded studios with a membership model behind them.
ABF Timing Insight —
Red Light Method began franchising in March 2024, so this is early — but early behind a founder who already scaled a studio brand to national size. More than 70 locations are in development and territories are being claimed now. The digital class model is what keeps payroll low, and it is the piece that most distinguishes this from other studio concepts.
Training & Support
- Site selection and lease negotiation support carry through construction and build-out of the studio.
- Membership presale support runs before opening, so a studio builds its member base ahead of the doors opening.
- Sales training and local marketing support cover the launch and continue into ongoing studio operations.
- Equipment is sourced through the franchisor’s wholesale relationships, so owners are not negotiating with device manufacturers on their own.
- A proprietary Pilates reformer certification program, developed by the founder, prepares franchisees and studio teams ahead of the 2027 live-class rollout.
Who Are We Looking For
- Owners drawn to the wellness and recovery category
- Operators comfortable building a membership base locally
- Candidates who can manage a small studio team
- People who follow a proven system rather than improvise
- No wellness or fitness background required
Who Is Not A Good Fit
- Candidates who cannot meet the liquid capital requirement without borrowing
- Anyone seeking fully passive ownership
- Owners who want a home-based business with no lease
- People uncomfortable selling memberships and retaining members
- Candidates who want a long franchisee track record to validate against
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens in a typical visit?
A: A 25-minute session on the FDA-cleared Contour Light System, followed by ten minutes of whole-body vibration on a Power Plate. Participating locations offer additional amenities.
Q: Do I need to hire instructors?
A: Power Plate and current reformer sessions are digitally guided, which keeps payroll light. Live instructor-led Pilates reformer classes launch in 2027, with a proprietary certification program for franchisee teams.
Q: How large does the studio need to be?
A: Between 1,200 and 3,000 square feet. Owners can start small in markets with high rent or limited parking and expand the offering later.
Q: How do members pay?
A: Through monthly memberships running $80 to $200, which include access every other day.
Q: How important is the leadership team when choosing a franchise?
A: Very important. A proven model matters, but the people leading the brand matter too. During due diligence, spend time with leadership and operations—not just franchise development—and ask how they prioritize franchisee profitability, support, and long-term brand health.
Next Steps
If you are drawn to the recovery category, a membership model with every-other-day visits, a studio that runs without hiring specialized instructors, and a founder who has scaled a national studio brand before, Red Light Method is worth a direct conversation. Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Red Light Method.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.