cooldown.me launches franchise network: first partner studio planned for Darmstadt

Cryotherapy company cooldown.me is opening its studio concept to franchise partners. Following the establishment of four company-owned locations, the franchise network has officially launched through cooldown.me Franchise GmbH. The first partner has already been selected, with the first franchised studio due to open in Darmstadt in the first quarter of 2027. This brings a specialist whole-body cryotherapy concept to the German franchise market.

From four company-owned studios to the first partner location

Trade publication BODYMEDIA reported the launch of the franchise network on 27 October 2026. cooldown.me currently operates four company-owned studios in Wetzlar, Giessen, Bad Homburg and Aschaffenburg. Independent partners will now also be able to open boutique studios under the brand. The offer is aimed at prospective business owners, fitness and physiotherapy professionals, and investors.

The planned Darmstadt location marks the transition from an exclusively company-owned operation to a network that includes franchise partners. The company has announced an opening in the first quarter of 2027, but has not specified a date. According to the company, a partner for this first step has already been found.

cooldown.me focuses on a single core treatment: whole-body cryotherapy at minus 87 degrees Celsius. Each session lasts up to five minutes. The concept therefore centres on a clearly defined service rather than combining various treatments into a broader studio offering. For prospective franchisees, this specialisation is a key starting point when assessing the business model.

An unlimited monthly membership at the heart of the business model

The business model is designed around recurring revenue. Its core offering is a monthly cryotherapy membership providing unlimited use. At the company-owned studios, this currently costs between €100 and €120 per month. These prices explicitly apply to the existing company-owned locations; the announcement does not specify a separate price for the planned Darmstadt franchise studio.

cooldown.me also offers new customers a trial session for €15 and a ten-session pass. Alongside the monthly membership, customers therefore have options to try the service or purchase a limited number of sessions. Prospective operators should look closely at the role each option is expected to play in their location-specific business plan.

The model also includes partnerships with the Hansefit network, sports clubs, physiotherapy practices and companies through workplace health programmes. These relationships are identified as part of the business model. However, the public announcement does not specify what share of customer numbers or revenue comes from each type of partnership. They should therefore not be treated as guaranteed revenue for a new location.

Support from site selection to day-to-day operations

Franchise partners are to receive territorial protection within their respective contractual areas. cooldown.me also promises support from site selection and fit-out through to ongoing operations. The support package includes training and an operations manual, covering both the opening phase and the foundations of subsequent studio management.

Marketing support is set to include centrally managed campaigns on Google and Meta. Ready-made advertising materials and social media content will also be provided. For prospective partners, the details will matter: which services are included in the individual agreement and how day-to-day cooperation will work are among the points to clarify before committing.

The premises requirements include a reception area, at least two changing rooms, space for the cryotherapy chamber and a toilet. No fixed minimum floor area in square metres is given. This list alone therefore provides neither a specific property size nor a reliable investment budget. The suitability of any premises will need to be assessed as part of the individual planning process.

No previous cryotherapy experience required

cooldown.me says it is targeting people with an interest in health, sport and recovery. Previous experience in cryotherapy is not required. Alongside owner-operators, the company explicitly welcomes investors who want to employ a studio manager to run the business.

The route to becoming a partner starts with a free information brochure and an initial, no-obligation discussion. After signing a confidentiality agreement, prospective partners receive the full documentation, including financial figures and a draft contract. cooldown.me only discloses specific investment figures during individual discussions, as the company says these vary significantly by location.

Practical takeaway: Anyone considering joining should assess the membership model, premises requirements and central support against a location-specific financial plan. The actual investment budget, scope of territorial protection and contractually agreed support are particularly important. The announced franchise launch provides an initial overview, but an investment decision requires the individual financial figures and contractual documents.