Jacksonville-based Yoga Den announced June 20 that it plans to add 10 franchise locations in Northeast Florida in the next year.
Owners Alyson and Chip Foreacre said they expanded their leadership team by partnering with Stephen Joost, a former founding partner at Firehouse Subs, and John and Leyda Cooksey, the former co-owners of McCall Service.
“With the help of our new partners, we can confidently move forward with a strategic growth plan that helps more people find a source of health and wellness,” said Alyson Foreacre, president and lead instructor of Yoga Den, in a news release.
“I truly believe yoga equals more peace, and now we can offer peace and convenience through more locations.”
Founded in 2002, Yoga Den started franchising in 2016 and eight of its nine studios are owned by franchisees. It has locations in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Yulee.
Yoga Den said its newest franchisee, Talitha Hudgins, will open a studio this summer at 4195 Southside Blvd. Jacksonville.
The brand says it is targeting future locations in Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine and Middleburg, with several agreements in the works.
Joost said he started taking classes at Yoga Den and immediately saw the potential.
“In the franchising industry, health and wellness franchises are exploding as people are spending more money on personal needs. Not only that, Alyson and Chip have spent the last 21 years proving that the concept works,” said Joost, treasurer and partner of Yoga Den.
“There is also a special sauce that Alyson has created, and I know from experience that when you have a unique product offering, the finances work and it can be duplicated, it’s a winning franchise concept.”
Joost served on the Jacksonville City Council from 2007-15 and is a former member of the University of North Florida Board of Trustees.
John Cooksey’s wife, Leyda, is a longtime Yoga Den student and practitioner and will assist with front-end operations.
Yoga Den says it is known for a proprietary style of yoga that cultivates consistency across studios.