S1Ep231 Building a Leading Health and Wellness Franchise with Kyle Jones

Building a successful health and wellness franchise requires more than passion for personal well-being—it demands vision, systems, leadership, and the ability to scale while staying true to core values. Few people embody that balance better than Kyle Jones, CEO and Co-Founder of iCryo.

Kyle Jones founded iCryo with a mission to elevate lifestyles through professional, affordable, and accessible personal health services. What began with a focus on cryotherapy has rapidly evolved into one of the world’s largest and most recognizable names in the health and wellness franchise space. With over 200 locations open and ambitious plans to surpass a thousand units globally, iCryo’s growth reflects the strength of a brand built on innovation, intentionality, and operational excellence.

Jones' transition from collegiate athlete to CEO was fueled by a broader passion for total wellness. Initially pursuing a career in sports and exercise science, he quickly realized that recovery, mental wellness, and proactive health measures offered a much greater impact beyond athletics. That vision became the foundation for iCryo’s expansive portfolio of services, offering everything from cryotherapy and compression therapy to IV infusions, regenerative medicine, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

The rapid expansion of iCryo stands out in a competitive market increasingly saturated with wellness concepts. Rather than chasing trends, Jones and his team have remained agile and responsive, intentionally introducing new services based on three critical factors: scientific efficacy, market affordability, and public awareness. This forward-thinking strategy has enabled iCryo to stay ahead of industry shifts while maintaining high operational standards across its franchise system.

Building a thriving health and wellness franchise at scale also meant mastering compliance and regulatory challenges. As the company expanded into medical services, Jones emphasized the importance of operating with full medical compliance, working closely with advisory boards and legal teams to ensure alignment with state-by-state healthcare regulations. The result is a franchise model that operates as both a welcoming, retail-friendly environment and a fully compliant medical facility.

Culture has played a crucial role in iCryo’s success. From day one, Jones has insisted on a “people first” philosophy, ensuring that team members, franchisees, and guests feel connected to a larger mission. Franchisees are not just business owners; they are partners who share a passion for wellness and a commitment to living out the brand’s core values. This intentional focus on culture helps create consistency across hundreds of locations, allowing iCryo to scale without losing the personal touch that defines the brand.

Scaling a health and wellness franchise at this level requires a new type of franchisee—one willing to invest, operate professionally, and engage actively with the brand’s mission. iCryo’s operators are all multi-unit owners, a reflection of the company's shift from a boutique wellness service to a professional, medically-integrated wellness destination. Kyle Jones emphasizes that success in franchising is not about simply signing agreements; it’s about building relationships, aligning on vision, and growing with the brand over time.

The commitment to continuous improvement is evident in how iCryo trains and supports its network. From weekly system-wide calls that foster real-time alignment to the establishment of franchise advisory committees that ensure feedback loops between the field and corporate leadership, iCryo has built infrastructure for sustainable growth. Operational manuals, brand standards, and educational platforms like iCryo University are designed to keep franchisees at the for