Griff Shortt on Building the Future of Premium Recovery with RNR Restore & Recharge

Griff Shortt, Head of Franchise at RNR Restore & Recharge Powered by CTN, discusses the brand’s mission to make advanced recovery technologies accessible through a premium wellness studio model. Backed by exclusive CTN technology, RNR offers services including cryotherapy, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and muscle stimulation training. Targeting health-conscious consumers, professionals and active individuals, the franchise benefits from multiple revenue streams, low overheads and strong growth potential in the expanding UK wellness market. Griff highlights RNR’s unique positioning, scalable business model and ambitious plans for national and international expansion.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m Head of Franchise at RNR — Restore & Recharge, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in health, fitness, and franchising to the role. My career spans General and Regional Management at LA Fitness, multiple senior positions at énergie Fitness overseeing 100+ clubs and 140+ franchisees across the UK and internationally, at its peak, and Franchise Director and Managing Director roles at Empowered Brands, developing the UBX Training and énergie Fitness networks across the UK and Republic of Ireland. I now lead franchise development for RNR, powered by CTN's world-class recovery technology.

Outside of work, I enjoy time with the family and friends, and dogs, I’m a passionate Aston Villa supporter, I enjoy skiing, eating out, a drink or two with the food, and collecting and listening to music - with Acid House, Chicago Trax, Detroit Techno being the genres of choice.

Can you tell us about your franchise

RNR - which stands for Restore & Recharge - is a premium wellness studio concept that bridges the gap between clinical-grade technology and an accessible, modern studio experience. We were established with a clear mission: to take the advanced recovery technologies once reserved for elite sports and clinical settings and make them accessible to everyday people.

We chose the franchise route because the UK wellness market is growing at a rapid 12% annually, now valued at £6.5 billion, and we recognized a distinct gap in the market for a scalable, high-margin recovery studio model. Franchising allows us to partner with driven entrepreneurs to expand our footprint quickly in key UK territories before the space becomes saturated.

In terms of services, we are exclusively powered by CTN - a globally leading Finnish high-tech innovator who’ve been established since 2013. Our studios offer a comprehensive suite of recovery modalities, including whole-body cryotherapy (e°CABIN & X°CRYO), full-body red and near-infrared light therapy (LedPro), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (OxyPro Series), and electromagnetic muscle stimulation training (X-TONE). These services are designed to reduce inflammation, accelerate recovery, and support long-term vitality in sessions ranging from 3 to 60 minutes.

Who is your target market?

Our target market consists of modern adults who prioritize their energy, resilience, and long-term wellbeing. We cater to four distinct segments:

• The Modern Professional (Ages 30–55): Ambitious and time-conscious individuals seeking sustained energy and stress regulation without disrupting their busy schedules.
• The Wellness-Conscious Individual (Ages 35–65): Proactive individuals who value hormonal balance, anti-inflammatory living, and consistent vitality.
• The Active Lifestyle Enthusiast (Ages 5–65): Regular gym-goers who value recovery for performance and injury prevention, even if they aren't professional athletes.
• The High-Performance Executive (Ages 35–60): Output-driven leaders investing in tools for cognitive clarity and sustainable productivity.

The demand for these services is surging. The UK wellness market is currently worth £6.5 billion and is the fastest-growing segment in the industry, growing at 12% annually. Consumers are shifting from purely aesthetic fitness goals to proactive longevity and holistic recovery.

Why is RNR franchise a great investment for potential franchisees?

RNR is designed from the ground up to be commercially robust and operationally efficient. Our model boasts a highly attractive financial profile, with breakeven achievable at just 35% utilization and a projected payback period of 8 to 24 months.

We operate on a compact footprint of 50-100 sqm, which means lower rent and overheads, resulting in a higher revenue per square meter compared to traditional wellness or fitness models. Furthermore, we offer six distinct revenue streams—including memberships, session packs, drop-ins, corporate wellness, gym partnerships, and retail. This diversified, recurring revenue model ensures predictable monthly income and long-term stability for our franchisees.

What differentiates RNR from the competition?

Our primary differentiator is our exclusive technology partnership with CTN. CTN equipment is trusted in over 50 countries by Olympic programs, world champions, and luxury longevity clinics. No competitor can replicate this access to medical-grade, Finnish-engineered equipment.

Beyond the technology, it’s our brand positioning. We are credible, not clinical; premium, not elitist; and performance-aware, not athlete-exclusive. While many recovery clinics feel either intimidatingly intense or overly soft like a traditional spa, RNR strikes the perfect balance. We offer "Science Meets Serenity"—a studio-grade experience where clients can access world-class technology in a warm, welcoming environment.

What is the role of one of your franchisees?

The role of an RNR franchisee is to be the driving force behind their local studio’s growth and community presence. While our turnkey model and comprehensive operations manual streamline the day-to-day running of the business, the franchisee focuses on leadership, team management, and local business development.

They are responsible for cultivating a premium customer experience, managing staff, driving local marketing initiatives, and building B2B relationships—such as corporate wellness programs and gym partnerships. Ultimately, they are the local ambassadors of the RNR mission: making high-level recovery accessible and easily integrated into their community's everyday routines.

What qualities do you look for in an RNR franchisee? 

We look for partners who are passionate about wellness, longevity, and performance, but who also possess a sharp commercial acumen. A successful RNR franchisee is an ambitious leader who understands the value of premium customer service and community building.

They don't necessarily need a background in health or clinical sciences—our technology and training provide that foundation. What they do need is the drive to follow a proven system, the ability to manage and motivate a team, and the entrepreneurial spirit to proactively build local partnerships and drive membership growth.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

One of the main challenges in the wellness and recovery industry has been education. For a long time, modalities like whole-body cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen were viewed as exclusive tools for elite athletes or clinical patients. The challenge was shifting that perception to show that everyday professionals and active individuals can—and should—benefit from these technologies.

We adapted by designing the RNR brand to intentionally bridge the gap between clinic and spa. By creating a warm, premium studio environment and offering sessions as short as 3 to 20 minutes, we removed the intimidation factor and made high-tech recovery an easy, accessible part of a modern lifestyle.

What have been RNR’s biggest achievements to date?

Our biggest achievement has been securing our exclusive partnership with CTN, integrating over 100 years of combined engineering expertise into our franchise model. Bringing technology that is used by Olympic programs and luxury clinics in over 50 countries into a scalable, 50-100 sqm high-street studio format is a massive operational success.

Additionally, engineering a commercial model that achieves breakeven at just 35% utilization, while offering six diversified revenue streams, stands as a major milestone in ensuring our franchisees have a clear, rapid pathway to profitability.

What does the future hold for RNR?

The future is incredibly bright. We are positioned at the forefront of the fastest-growing segment in the £6.5 billion UK wellness market. Our immediate growth target is to secure founding franchise partners to open studios in key UK locations - such as Greater London, City, and the South and Southwest London suburbs, Surrey, Berkshire Oxfordshire along with Cheshire, and beyond  - establishing a dominant presence before the premium recovery space becomes crowded.

Ultimately, our vision is to become the leading global network of accessible, premium wellness studios powered by science-backed technology.

What expansion plans have you got nationally and internationally?

Nationally, our focus is on rapid, strategic expansion across high-demand urban markets in the UK. We are actively seeking partners for prime territories to build a robust domestic network.

Internationally, because our technology partner CTN already operates in over 50 countries, we have the global supply chain and technical support infrastructure already in place. Once our UK footprint is firmly established, we plan to leverage this infrastructure to scale the RNR studio concept into international markets where the demand for proactive longevity and premium recovery is similarly surging.

Interested and want to know more about RNR Restore & Recharge powered by CTN?

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