Perspire Sauna Studio Expands Its Modern Wellness Franchise

Private Suites and Multiple Therapies Create a Personalized Wellness Experience

Saunas have been used for centuries to support relaxation, recovery and general well-being. Today, infrared technology is giving that tradition a modern update by offering a more comfortable and customizable experience at lower temperatures.

Unlike traditional saunas, which warm the surrounding air before heating the body, infrared saunas use light to heat the body more directly. This can produce strong perspiration and an elevated heart rate without requiring the room to become as hot as a conventional sauna.

Sauna use was once largely limited to gyms, resorts and luxury spas. That made regular sessions inconvenient for many people. Private studios, memberships and infrared technology have helped turn sauna therapy into a wellness routine that can be used throughout the week.

Perspire Sauna Studio is one of the franchises helping lead this shift.

Turning Sauna Therapy Into an Accessible Routine

Founder and CEO Lee Braun launched the first Perspire Sauna Studio in Costa Mesa, California, in 2010. He believed wellness services should be accessible to more people instead of being treated as an occasional luxury.

Braun combined the long-standing practice of sauna bathing with modern infrared technology and a private studio environment. Perspire began franchising in 2018 and reached an important milestone when its 100th studio opened in early 2026.

As the company grows from an emerging concept into a more established wellness franchise, it continues to focus on services that are simple, consistent and supported by research.

How Perspire Evaluates New Wellness Services

Innovation is an important part of Perspire’s strategy, but the company does not want to introduce services simply because they are popular.

The brand reviews new wellness methods through an evidence-focused process. It also works with its franchise advisory council to test ideas, gather feedback and make improvements before introducing anything across the system.

According to Chief Marketing Officer Caroline Linton, Perspire’s goal is to combine traditional sauna practices with current research. Its therapies are designed to support recovery, stress management, skin health and long-term wellness.

The private-suite format allows every guest to adjust the experience to personal preferences. Members can control factors such as temperature, intensity and session length, helping them build a routine they can comfortably follow two or three times each week.

Inside the Perspire Member Experience

Members generally schedule appointments through the Perspire mobile app before arriving at the studio. This creates a quick and convenient check-in process.

Each guest receives a private infrared sauna suite rather than sharing the space with other members. The individual setting provides privacy while allowing the session to be customized.

Members may also add other therapies to their appointments. These include halotherapy, contrast therapy and Perspire’s proprietary red light therapy.

Halotherapy is intended to provide respiratory and skin-related support through the use of salt. Contrast therapy uses alternating heat and cold exposure to support circulation and recovery. Red light therapy complements infrared heat and is offered to support skin health and cellular recovery.

Perspire generally recommends two or three visits per week for members seeking consistent results from heat exposure and red light therapy.

Wellness Services Available at Perspire

Perspire’s model brings heat, light, salt and cold therapies together in one studio environment.

Infrared sauna and red light therapy form the foundation of the member experience. Heat-based wellness practices can be traced to Roman bathhouses, Finnish saunas and traditional sweat lodges. Perspire presents infrared heat as a modern method for supporting perspiration, circulation, metabolism and immune function.

Red light therapy was originally researched by NASA in connection with astronaut healing. The therapy is associated with circulation, collagen production, skin health and cellular recovery. It may also support mood, mental clarity and stress reduction.

Halotherapy has roots in 19th-century Eastern Europe, where salt miners were observed to have unusually healthy lungs. Today, salt therapy is commonly used with the goal of calming the lungs and sinuses. Salt’s antibacterial qualities may also help support clearer-looking skin.

Contrast therapy draws inspiration from the Norwegian tradition of snow bathing. The movement between hot and cold conditions is used to support energy, mood, lymphatic flow and inflammation management.

The Ideal Perspire Franchise Owner

Perspire looks for franchisees who care about health and wellness and enjoy building relationships within their communities.

Strong leadership and the ability to monitor key performance indicators are also important. The company values owners with a “white belt mentality,” meaning they remain willing to learn, accept guidance and improve over time.

A typical Perspire Sauna Studio occupies approximately 1,600 to 2,000 square feet. The recommended staffing level is six to eight employees per location.

Some prospective franchisees ask whether sauna therapy is simply another short-lived wellness trend. Perspire points to the long history of heat-based practices across different cultures. The company’s role has been to bring that established practice into a private, convenient and membership-friendly setting.

With 100 studios reached in early 2026, Perspire is building its franchise around recurring visits, personalized therapies and the growing demand for accessible wellness services.

Explore more about Perspire Sauna Studio franchise opportunities.