US massage franchisor Massage Heights has signed nine franchise agreements in the first half of 2016, and will develop 35 locations across the US in the next several years, including 27 in Chicago.

Other locations include New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, Illinois and Colorado. The brand has a goal of having 300 locations – or ‘Retreats’ as the company calls them – open by the end of 2019. Currently there are 140.

“We’re riding the momentum of an incredibly successful 2015, where we opened nearly two dozen Retreats and reported $86.4 million in revenue,” said Shane Evans, co-founder and president of Massage Heights. “Coupled with the recent growth of the spa industry worldwide, Massage Heights is well-positioned to continue our aggressive franchise expansion.”

Massage Heights has also recently established a new brand management and development company, Elevated Brands, which is also working on expanding the men’s grooming and lifestyle club The Gents Place nationally through franchising.

In June, entrepreneur and National Football League icon Emmitt Smith joined The Gents Place team as a co-owner alongside founder and president Ben Davis.

Massage Heights is also looking to expand internationally, and is currently seeking a partner to launch the brand in the UK.