How to Finance a VIO Med Spa Franchise: Injectables and Lasers
A VIO Med Spa franchise loan helps an owner pay to open a medical spa that offers injectables, laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation and wellness treatments, covering the franchise fee, a build-out to brand standards, aesthetic devices and the cash needed before the spa reaches a steady client base. Because medical services sit at the center of the concept, financing one involves both franchise underwriting and the clinical planning lenders expect from any medical aesthetics business.
This article walks through what the franchisor’s April 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) says about costs and fees, the two ownership structures the brand offers, and the loan programs owners commonly compare. US Medical Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by VIO Med Spa; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax, billing or compliance advice.
VIO Med Spa Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Franchisor: VIO Franchise Group, LLC, an Ohio company based in Medina, Ohio, offering franchises since September 2018
- Concept: a medical spa offering facials, chemical peels, neurotoxin injectables, dermal fillers, skin tightening, body contouring, laser hair removal and wellness therapies
- Initial franchise fee: $50,000 for a single spa
- Estimated initial investment: $794,261 to $1,231,677 for one spa, according to the 2025 FDD
- Royalty: 6% of Gross Sales, paid weekly
- Brand Development Fund: up to 2% of Gross Sales, currently 1.5%
- Local marketing requirement: 6% of Gross Sales, reducing to 4% after 24 months once minimum sales requirements are met
- Typical spa size: 1,500 to 2,200 square feet
- Franchisor financing: the FDD states the franchisor does not finance any portion of the initial fees
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S3671, with no additional directory note
What Is VIO Med Spa?
VIO Franchise Group, LLC was formed in Ohio in January 2018 and began offering franchises in September 2018, according to its 2025 FDD. The franchisor is headquartered in Medina, Ohio, and its affiliates operate spas in the Cleveland and Akron area. The franchisor is now part of a parent company formed in 2024.
The FDD describes a broad service menu: facials, chemical skin peels, neurotoxin injectables, injectable dermal fillers, skin rejuvenation and tightening, body contouring, laser hair removal and platelet-rich plasma therapy. It also lists wellness therapies such as IV hydration and bioidentical hormone therapy. That mix places VIO squarely in medical aesthetics rather than the day spa world, which matters for both licensing and financing.
Treatments that involve medical care must be performed by what the FDD calls Authorized Care Providers, such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses and estheticians, depending on the service and state law. The FDD states that a lay person may not control or direct medical services under any circumstance.
Two Ways the Franchise Is Structured
VIO is unusual because the FDD describes two franchise structures, and the structure you qualify for shapes how a loan is underwritten.
The Spa Franchise
In the Spa model, the franchisee owns and operates the spa and earns revenue from selling products and services to clients. The FDD states that owning a Spa requires either that you are a licensed medical professional or that you open in a state that permits non-licensed owners. A nurse practitioner, physician or similar professional who owns the clinical business directly fits this path.
The Spa Management Business
In the Spa Management Business, the franchisee provides management, marketing and facility services to medical practices, and its revenue comes from management and other fees paid by Authorized Care Providers. The FDD states this option is only offered to franchisees who are not licensed medical professionals.
For a lender, the management structure means the borrower is the management company, and repayment depends on the management agreement with the medical practice. A lender will want to read that agreement closely, including how fees are set, how long it runs and what happens if the medical practice leaves. Our article on how lenders finance a med spa management structure explains this in more detail, and our overview of who can own a med spa covers the ownership rules owners should understand before signing.
The FDD requires every franchisee to retain specialized healthcare legal counsel before signing a franchise agreement and to directly hire its own healthcare attorney to set up the Spa or Spa Management business. That professional fee is part of the Item 7 budget.
VIO Med Spa Franchise Costs
According to the 2025 FDD, the estimated initial investment for one VIO Med Spa location is $794,261 to $1,231,677. The FDD states that all fees are non-refundable.
Initial Franchise Fee
The initial franchise fee is $50,000, and the FDD states it is fully earned by the franchisor upon payment. It can generally be financed as part of a start-up loan, but it is also one of the first dollars spent, so owners should plan how it fits into the equity they bring to the deal.
Construction and Leasehold Improvements
The FDD estimates $240,000 to $420,000 for construction and leasehold improvements, plus $24,000 to $33,000 for three months of lease deposits. With a typical footprint of 1,500 to 2,200 square feet, build-out is one of the two largest lines in the budget. The condition of the shell, local construction costs and any landlord allowance can move this number significantly. The FDD notes that third-party financing may be available to qualified candidates for some of the leasehold improvement costs.
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
Furniture, fixtures and equipment are estimated at $293,246 to $432,001, the largest single line in Item 7. For a spa offering laser hair removal, body contouring and skin tightening, much of that figure is aesthetic devices. Computer, software and point-of-sale systems add $29,028 to $32,762, and signage adds $6,500 to $9,000.
Opening Costs and Additional Funds
The FDD includes $36,437 to $44,289 for initial inventory, a $50,000 minimum grand opening marketing spend and $40,000 to $120,000 in additional funds for the first three months. Smaller lines cover insurance deposits, utility deposits, travel for training, licenses and permits, office supplies and professional fees.
Item 7 Line Items
- Initial franchise fee: $50,000
- Construction and leasehold improvements: $240,000 to $420,000
- Lease deposits (three months): $24,000 to $33,000
- Furniture, fixtures and equipment: $293,246 to $432,001
- Initial inventory: $36,437 to $44,289
- Signage: $6,500 to $9,000
- Grand opening marketing: $50,000
- Computer, software and POS system: $29,028 to $32,762
- Utility deposits: $1,000 to $2,000
- Insurance deposits: $3,500 to $5,000
- Travel for initial training: $4,500 to $5,625
- Professional fees: $15,000 to $25,000
- Licenses and permits: $700 to $1,000
- Printing, stationery and office supplies: $350 to $2,000
- Additional funds (three months): $40,000 to $120,000
- Total: $794,261 to $1,231,677
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Ongoing fees come out of revenue before debt service, so a lender reviewing a VIO Med Spa franchise loan will build each of them into the projections.
- Royalty: 6% of Gross Sales, paid weekly; the FDD describes possible adjustments and an alternative fixed-fee structure, so read Item 6 carefully
- Brand Development Fund: up to 2% of Gross Sales, currently 1.5%, paid monthly
- Local marketing: 6% of Gross Sales, reducing to 4% after 24 months and satisfaction of the minimum sales requirements
- Technology fee: up to $200 per month, as described in Item 6
- Advertising cooperative: up to 2% of Gross Sales if one is formed; the FDD states there are currently none
- Transfer fee: $10,000
- Renewal fee: $5,000
In the early years, royalty, brand fund and local marketing together can reach well into the double digits as a share of sales, which is significant for a business that also carries device payments and provider payroll. Lenders will test whether projected cash flow still covers the loan after those fees.
Minimum Gross Sales Requirements
The 2025 FDD sets Minimum Gross Sales Requirements of $750,000 in year one, $1,000,000 in year two and $1,250,000 from year three onward. These are contractual obligations, not projections or a statement of what any spa earns. A lender may ask how your plan will reach those levels, because failing to meet them can affect your standing under the franchise agreement and the timing of the local marketing reduction.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s ownership rules are tied to licensure: licensed medical professionals may own a Spa directly, while non-licensed owners either open a Spa in a state that permits it or operate the Spa Management Business. Every franchisee must retain healthcare legal counsel and complete the franchisor’s pre-opening training program before opening; the FDD states there is no fee for that training, and the Item 7 estimate covers only travel and lodging.
The 2025 FDD sections reviewed for this article did not state a minimum net worth or liquid capital requirement, so ask the franchisor directly. A lender will set its own liquidity expectations based on the size of the project and the strength of the borrower.
Ways to Own a VIO Med Spa
A New Spa
Most buyers open a new location. A start-up loan finances a business with no operating history, so the lender relies on the owner’s experience, the FDD budget, the site and a detailed plan for recruiting providers.
Buying an Existing Location
Some owners buy an operating spa from a current franchisee. A resale comes with a client list and financial history, and the lender will underwrite the unit’s own tax returns and statements. The franchisor’s approval and the $10,000 transfer fee apply. Our article on buying an existing med spa franchise location covers that path.
Multi-Unit Development
The FDD offers development agreements for three to 10 spas. The Development Area Fee is $40,000 for the second location and $33,000 for each additional location, ranging from $73,000 for three locations to $304,000 for ten. The FDD estimates a total of $867,261 to $1,535,677 to sign a multi-unit agreement and open the first spa.
Financing Options for a VIO Med Spa Franchise
SBA 7(a) Loans
SBA 7(a) loans are often used for franchise start-ups because one loan can cover the franchise fee, leasehold improvements, devices and working capital. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, which comfortably exceeds a single spa’s Item 7 range, though the amount any borrower qualifies for depends on cash flow, equity and collateral.
SBA 504 Loans
SBA 504 loans are designed for long-lived fixed assets such as owner-occupied real estate. Because VIO spas typically occupy leased space, 504 is usually less relevant unless an owner buys the building.
Conventional Loans
Owners with existing practices, strong liquidity or several locations sometimes use conventional practice loans. Conventional lenders set their own underwriting standards and may structure terms differently from SBA programs.
Equipment Financing
With furniture, fixtures and equipment estimated at up to $432,001, equipment financing can fund laser and body contouring devices separately, where the device itself serves as collateral. Our page on med spa equipment financing and leasing compares the options.
Working Capital
The FDD’s three-month additional funds estimate of $40,000 to $120,000 is a floor, not a ceiling. Provider payroll, rent and the required local marketing spend begin before the client base matures. Med spa working capital can help cover that ramp-up period.
Seller Financing on Resales
On a resale, a seller may agree to carry part of the price as a note. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and some loan programs limit how they can be structured.
SBA Loans for VIO Med Spa Franchisees
VIO Med Spa is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3671, with no additional directory note. A listing means the SBA has reviewed the brand’s franchise documents for eligibility; it does not mean any individual loan will be approved. Each borrower and location is still underwritten on its own merits.
For the Spa Management Business, the lender will also review the management agreement between the franchisee and the medical practice, along with the ownership of both entities. Bring both agreements, plus the franchise agreement and FDD, to the first conversation. Our SBA loan calculator can help you model payments on different loan amounts before you apply.
How Lenders Evaluate a VIO Med Spa Franchise Loan
Personal Credit and Financial History
Lenders review personal credit for every significant owner, along with tax returns and a personal financial statement. Any past business problems should be explained up front.
Liquidity and Equity
With a budget that can exceed $1.2 million, the equity injection and post-closing reserves are central. Lenders want to see documented sources of funds and enough cushion to handle a slower ramp-up.
Experience and Clinical Plan
Healthcare, aesthetics or multi-unit management experience strengthens an application. Lenders also want a clear clinical plan: who will serve as Authorized Care Providers, how medical oversight will work under your state’s rules, and how quickly you can recruit injectors and laser technicians.
Projections
Projections should reflect the brand’s fee structure, the Minimum Gross Sales Requirements, provider payroll, device payments and rent. Aesthetic treatments are generally paid for by clients out of pocket rather than by insurance, which avoids reimbursement delays but means revenue depends on consumer demand in your market.
The FDD, Franchise Agreement and Lease
Lenders read the franchise agreement, the FDD and the lease. They look at lease length relative to the loan term, renewal options and any landlord allowance for improvements. Ask the franchisor whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations and review it with your accountant, and review Items 3 and 4 for any history the FDD discloses.
Equipment and Clinical Build-Out
A VIO spa is equipment intensive. Laser hair removal, body contouring and skin tightening each depend on specialized devices, and treatment rooms need appropriate electrical capacity, plumbing for clinical sinks and room layouts that meet brand specifications. Because the FDD notes that the corporate practice of medicine doctrine restricts lay franchisees from dictating medical equipment and supplies, device decisions in a management structure should involve the medical practice and your healthcare attorney.
Device purchases are often the easiest part of the project to finance separately, and some owners prefer to keep them off the main start-up loan to preserve borrowing capacity for build-out and working capital. Compare total cost, ownership at the end of the term and the effect on monthly cash flow.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
A development agreement changes the shape of a VIO Med Spa franchise loan request because it commits you to a schedule of openings, so financing should be planned beyond the first spa. Lenders generally want to see the first location performing before funding a second, and each new spa needs its own equity and reserves. The Development Area Fee is paid in a lump sum up front, which adds to the cash needed at signing. Our article on opening a second med spa location covers how lenders approach expansion.
Real-World Scenarios
The nurse practitioner owner. A licensed nurse practitioner opens a Spa directly in her state. She pairs an SBA 7(a) loan for the build-out, fee and working capital with separate equipment financing for lasers, and her clinical experience strengthens the application.
The business owner in a management structure. A non-licensed multi-unit operator chooses the Spa Management Business. The lender reviews the management agreement with the medical practice carefully and asks for extra reserves to cover the ramp-up.
The resale buyer. A buyer acquires an operating spa. The lender underwrites the unit’s historical financials, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
The three-unit developer. An investor signs a development agreement, finances the first spa now and plans to return for the second after the first builds a track record.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing before healthcare counsel confirms which ownership structure works in your state
- Underestimating build-out costs on a space that needs heavy electrical or plumbing work
- Treating the three-month additional funds estimate as all the working capital you need
- Ignoring the Minimum Gross Sales Requirements in projections
- Putting every dollar into the opening and leaving no personal reserves
Our article on med spa loan mistakes covers more pitfalls.
Next Steps to Finance Your VIO Med Spa Franchise
Step 1: Review the FDD with professionals. Work with a franchise attorney, healthcare counsel and an accountant.
Step 2: Choose your structure. Confirm whether you will own a Spa or operate the Spa Management Business.
Step 3: Build your budget. Use the Item 7 ranges and get local quotes for build-out.
Step 4: Secure a site. Negotiate a lease with a term that supports your financing.
Step 5: Prepare projections and a clinical plan. Include all fees, provider staffing and the minimum sales requirements.
Step 6: Apply with a complete package. Include the franchise agreement, lease, any management agreement and your personal financial documents.
VIO Med Spa Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a VIO Med Spa franchise cost?
According to the 2025 FDD, the estimated initial investment for one spa is $794,261 to $1,231,677.
What is the VIO Med Spa franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $50,000 for a single spa.
What is the royalty?
The royalty is 6% of Gross Sales, paid weekly, plus a Brand Development Fund contribution of up to 2%, currently 1.5%.
Is VIO Med Spa eligible for SBA loans?
The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3671. Each loan is still subject to lender review and approval.
Do I need a medical license to own a VIO Med Spa?
Not necessarily. Licensed medical professionals may own a Spa directly, non-licensed owners may own a Spa in states that permit it, and the Spa Management Business is offered only to non-licensed owners.
Does VIO Med Spa offer financing?
The FDD states that the franchisor does not finance any portion of the initial fees. It notes that third-party financing may be available to qualified candidates for some leasehold improvement costs.
Can I finance lasers and devices separately?
Yes. Equipment financing can fund devices alone or alongside a larger start-up loan.
How much does it cost to open multiple VIO Med Spas?
The Development Area Fee ranges from $73,000 for three spas to $304,000 for ten, and the FDD estimates $867,261 to $1,535,677 to sign a multi-unit agreement and open the first spa.
How big is a VIO Med Spa?
The FDD states that a typical spa ranges from 1,500 to 2,200 square feet.
Can I buy an existing VIO Med Spa?
Yes, with the franchisor’s approval. The transfer fee is $10,000, and the lender will review the unit’s historical financials.
What documents will a lender need?
Expect to provide personal tax returns, a personal financial statement, a business plan with projections, the FDD and franchise agreement, the lease and any management agreement.
What is the renewal fee?
The FDD lists a $5,000 renewal fee. Review Item 17 for the term and renewal conditions.
Final Thoughts
A VIO Med Spa franchise loan finances a device-heavy medical spa with a budget that can exceed $1.2 million, so the strongest applications combine a realistic Item 7 budget, a clear ownership structure, a credible clinical plan and projections that account for every fee and the minimum sales requirements. Getting healthcare counsel involved early will make the lender’s review smoother. For a broader look, see our page on med spa start-up financing.
US Medical Funding helps aesthetic practice owners finance new med spa locations, including franchise start-ups. Learn more about our med spa practice financing.
