By: Dr. Shane Kurth, D.C., BCN
Founder & Head of Franchise Development, Radiant Results
Updated May 2026

Who this is for: Investors and operators past the “is red light therapy real?” question who are now asking the harder one: which franchise has the equipment, model, and market proof to justify capital? This post covers what “medical grade” means at the device specification level, why franchise model type — focused versus multi-modality — directly affects buildout cost and operational complexity, and what early performance data from an operating Radiant Results location actually shows.

The phrase “medical grade” appears on nearly every red light therapy franchise website. Almost none of them define it. That gap is the investor problem — and the reason this post exists.

When I built the Radiant Results model in Sandy, UT, the equipment decision wasn’t a branding choice. It was an operational one. The device you put in the treatment room determines your session pricing ceiling, your member retention rate, and your referral volume. Operators who evaluate franchises on category growth projections — without evaluating the underlying equipment stack — are skipping the variable that drives the unit economics.

This post defines what medical grade actually means, why it matters to the business case, and how a focused red light therapy franchise compares — structurally and financially — to the multi-modality concepts competing for the same investor capital.

Key Takeaways

• The red light therapy market is in an active growth phase, with growth rates that outpace broader wellness industry averages
• “Medical grade” is a device specification standard, not a regulated marketing phrase. It refers to FDA Class II (510(k)) clearance, irradiance output in milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm²), and therapeutic wavelength specificity (660nm red, 850nm near-infrared). Consumer-grade panels routinely fail to meet this threshold.
• Radiant Results franchisees operate the Dahlia Full Body Light Therapy Bed — a medical-grade, full-body treatment device — alongside the Styku 3D body scanner, which converts session results into documented, visible member progress.
• A focused single-modality RLT franchise carries a simpler buildout, a leaner staffing model, and a faster path to operational efficiency than a multi-modality concept. Most franchise comparison resources don’t address this distinction honestly.
• The Radiant Results Sandy, UT location generated 400%+ impression growth and 200%+ click growth in the first 30 days of its SEO program — documented marketing performance from an operating unit, not a forward-looking projection.

The Red Light Therapy Franchise Opportunity — Market Size, Growth, and Investor Timing

The global red light therapy market is in an active growth phase. Growth rates in the category meaningfully exceed the broader wellness market average, and the gap matters to investors because category growth rate is a leading indicator of competitive pressure and margin sustainability.

Categories growing at this rate attract capital. In RLT’s case, however, franchise infrastructure has not caught up with consumer demand. Most U.S. markets have zero dedicated red light therapy franchise presence. That gap is the timing argument.

What separates red light therapy from other wellness trends is the clinical literature behind it. Photobiomodulation — the mechanism behind RLT — has a substantial and growing body of peer-reviewed research, including Avci and colleagues’ 2013 review of low-level light therapy in skin, documenting effects on cellular energy production, inflammation markers, and tissue repair. Consumer adoption is not speculative. The demand infrastructure is already building ahead of dedicated franchise supply.

Continued growth in non-medical health services through 2030 is the macro context. The target RLT customer is a recurring-use wellness consumer with disposable income — someone already enrolled in a gym, medspa, or wellness membership program. These are high-LTV customers. They understand subscription-model health services and are predisposed to the membership structure a well-run RLT franchise uses to build predictable revenue.

Radiant Results currently operates in Sandy, UT, with Charlotte, NC and St. Louis, MO opening next. These are early-system proof markets — the locations that establish the operating playbook before the brand scales. Investors evaluating this category now are doing so at the front end of that expansion curve, not the back.

What “Medical Grade” Actually Means — And Why It Matters to Operators

“Medical grade” is not a regulated term. No federal agency defines it as a marketing classification. Any franchise can put it in their materials. What it should mean — and what serious investors should require documentation on — is a specific cluster of device specifications.

FDA Classification

Medical-grade light therapy devices are typically cleared under FDA Class II as 510(k) devices. This clearance demonstrates substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate device. It is not the same as FDA drug approval. It establishes that the device meets safety and performance standards for its intended use.

Consumer-grade panels — particularly those sold direct-to-consumer at lower price points — frequently lack this clearance. When evaluating any RLT franchise, the first question is: what is the FDA clearance status of the primary treatment device? Request documentation.

Irradiance Output

Irradiance — measured in mW/cm² — is the measure of light energy delivered to tissue per unit area per unit time. Clinical research on photobiomodulation consistently references irradiance thresholds for therapeutic effect. Devices with lower irradiance require longer session times. That directly affects throughput capacity and member experience quality. A medical-grade device operates at clinically relevant irradiance levels. A consumer-grade panel often does not.

Wavelength Specificity

The two primary therapeutic wavelengths are 660nm (visible red) and 850nm (near-infrared). The 660nm wavelength addresses surface-level tissue and skin. The 850nm wavelength penetrates deeper to muscle and joint tissue. Devices delivering both wavelengths serve a broader member use case than single-wavelength panels. This affects both your positioning and the outcomes members attribute to your service.

Treatment Surface Coverage

Full-body coverage supports a complete treatment in a single session. That efficiency is the foundation of a premium 15-minute session model. Panel setups may require repositioning, multiple sessions, or longer treatment times to achieve comparable coverage — all of which reduce throughput and complicate the member experience.

The Radiant Results model is built around the Dahlia Full Body Light Therapy Bed — a medical-grade, full-body treatment device that delivers complete coverage in 15 minutes. It is the operational core of the member experience. It is why the session model can be priced at a premium rather than competing on volume at the low end of the market.

Every Radiant Results location also operates the Styku 3D body scanner. Styku captures a detailed 3D model of a member’s body composition, posture, and measurements in under a minute. That data becomes the baseline for every subsequent scan. From a business perspective, the Styku is a retention mechanism. Members who can see documented change don’t cancel. Franchisees who can show members results have a fundamentally different retention profile than those operating on novelty alone.

When evaluating any red light therapy franchise, require the following from the franchisor: device make and model, FDA clearance number or documentation, irradiance specifications in mW/cm², wavelength output, and warranty terms. A franchise that uses “medical grade” as a marketing phrase but cannot produce this documentation is not meeting the standard the phrase implies.

Why a Focused Medical-Grade Red Light Therapy Franchise Outperforms Multi-Modality Wellness Concepts

Multi-modality wellness franchise concepts offer red light therapy as one service among eight or twelve. Cryotherapy, IV drip, compression, float tanks, and infrared sauna are common additions. The stated case for these concepts is that more services create more revenue streams and more reasons to visit.

The counterargument — the one I built this model around — is straightforward: breadth creates complexity, and complexity is the enemy of unit economics in a franchise model.

Consider what multi-modality complexity actually costs an operator. Every additional service type requires specialized staff training. It adds separate compliance considerations and additional equipment maintenance protocols. It extends the member education process at the point of sale. Buildout costs escalate because each modality needs its own treatment infrastructure. Staffing ratios increase. The member experience becomes variable — each service depends on an entirely different delivery chain.

The focused-model case is the opposite. A single-modality RLT franchise has a defined service menu, a lean staffing model, a consistent member experience, and a buildout footprint calibrated to one service. Operational simplicity is not a limitation — it is a competitive advantage.

The most common objection: “Doesn’t more services mean more revenue?” For an established, well-capitalized multi-location operator, possibly. For a new market entrant building their first franchise location, almost always no. Multi-service models have higher minimum revenue thresholds before they reach operational efficiency. A focused model reaches that threshold at a lower revenue ceiling and with less operational exposure in the early months.

There is also a market clarity argument. A focused RLT franchise can be explained in one sentence. A multi-modality concept requires consumer education on a service menu of a dozen options — each with its own pricing, protocol, and use case. First-time customers convert on clarity. When the concept is clear, the sales cycle is shorter and member acquisition costs are lower.

Source: Radiant Results company-owned location performance and operational model. Multi-modality column reflects general structural characteristics of multi-service wellness franchise models. Individual results vary by brand, market, and operator. See Item 19 of the Radiant Results FDD for financial performance data.

Radiant Results is a focused concept. The Dahlia bed and Styku scanner are the operational core — not line items on a services menu alongside twelve other modalities. That focus is a design decision, and it drives the margin profile of the model.

Interested in building this model in your market? See if you qualify for a location. We’re selectively awarding markets — not every applicant is the right fit, and that’s intentional.

This is not a franchise offering. A franchise can only be offered through delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document.

Inside the Radiant Results Model — Equipment, Operations, and Franchisee Profile

The physical footprint of a Radiant Results location is designed for efficiency. This is not a concept that requires the square footage of a multi-service wellness center or the buildout investment of a medspa. The treatment room configuration centers on the Dahlia Full Body Light Therapy Bed — one primary device delivering a complete treatment in 15 minutes. That session duration is not incidental. It is the throughput foundation of the membership model.

The Styku 3D body scanner captures a detailed model of a member’s body composition, posture, and measurements in under a minute. That data becomes the baseline for every subsequent scan. Members get a visual, documented record of change over time. From an operator’s perspective, the Styku is a retention tool. Members who can see their results don’t cancel. Members running on perceived-but-undocumented progress cancel when something else competes for their membership spend.

The membership model drives recurring, predictable revenue. Over 92% of Radiant Results revenue comes from services, with no meaningful inventory dependency. The labor cost structure reflects the focused model: two to three team members per location, with a training system designed to onboard staff quickly and maintain consistent service delivery. Labor costs run approximately 7–8% of revenue based on company-owned location performance. See Item 19 of the FDD for financial detail.

The Sandy, UT location is the template. The marketing system that drove 400%+ impression growth and 200%+ click growth in the first 30 days of the SEO program is not a one-market anomaly — it is the launch infrastructure that transfers to new territories. Those numbers moved before long-term organic SEO compounding, meaning the system hadn’t yet reached its full operating potential.

Franchisees do not need a clinical or medical background to operate a Radiant Results franchise. I’m a chiropractor and board-certified neurologist — that background shaped the equipment selection and protocols. But the operator running the business day-to-day is a business manager, not a clinician. What matters is systems discipline, relationship-building capacity, and a genuine commitment to consistent member experience. Operators looking for a hands-off investment are not the right fit. The franchisees who perform are engaged, present, and invested in their market.

Initial Investment, Ongoing Fees, and Path to Profitability

Every serious franchise evaluation starts with the Franchise Disclosure Document. The FDD is not marketing material. It is a federally regulated disclosure that franchisors are legally required to provide before any agreement is signed or fee collected. The FTC’s franchise buying guide requires you receive the FDD at least 14 days before signing.

For Radiant Results, two FDD sections answer the investment questions directly. Item 7 provides the complete initial investment breakdown — franchise fee, buildout and equipment costs, working capital, and pre-opening expenses. Item 19 provides financial performance representations based on company-owned location performance. Evaluate these figures — not revenue projections in a marketing brochure or a sales conversation.

What can be said structurally: the Radiant Results model is built for margin, not volume. The company-owned Sandy, UT location has generated $745K+ in annual revenue with approximately 50%+ net potential and roughly 87% gross margin on services, per Item 19 performance data. COGS runs approximately 5%. Labor runs approximately 7–8%. Rent runs approximately 7%. These are the unit economics of a focused, lean, membership-based model — and they hold because the service menu is not diluted across multiple modalities with different cost structures.

The path to profitability in any franchise depends on three things: market selection, operator execution, and member acquisition and retention performance. Radiant Results provides the system — equipment, marketing infrastructure, training, and operational playbook. The operator provides market commitment and execution. The FDD provides the financial context for an honest evaluation.

To request the FDD and begin the discovery process, inquire at getradiantresults.com/franchise/. The International Franchise Association also provides guidance on evaluating an FDD and working with a franchise attorney. Every serious prospect should engage a franchise attorney before signing anything.

Available Territories — Where Radiant Results Is Opening Next

Radiant Results currently operates in Sandy, UT. Charlotte, NC and St. Louis, MO are opening. These are the first proof markets in a system designed to expand — not the ceiling of the brand’s coverage.

RLT franchise penetration across most U.S. markets is effectively zero. In most metros, there is no established competitor in the dedicated red light therapy franchise category. That is a first-mover condition — and it is not permanent. As capital enters this category, primary markets will be claimed. The window for early-market advantage closes in sequence, not all at once.

Radiant Results uses a market evaluation process before awarding territories. The evaluation assesses demographic fit, competitive landscape, real estate availability, and market readiness. Not every market qualifies — and not every applicant qualifies for a market that does. The process is selective by design. The model performs best with the right operator in the right market.

Territory award decisions are made through the Radiant Results franchise discovery process. Market qualification does not guarantee franchisee qualification, and franchisee qualification does not guarantee market availability. See Item 12 of the Radiant Results FDD for territory terms.

If you have a specific market in mind, inquire early. Primary markets — major metros and high-income suburban markets with the demographics to support a premium membership concept — are the first to close.

How to Evaluate a Medical-Grade Red Light Therapy Franchise — A Due Diligence Checklist

Below is the checklist a sophisticated investor should run on any RLT franchise concept, including Radiant Results. If a franchisor cannot answer these questions with documentation, that is information.

Equipment Standards

• What specific device does the franchise use? Get the make and model in writing.
• Is the primary treatment device FDA cleared? Request the 510(k) clearance number or documentation.
• What is the irradiance output specification in mW/cm²? If the franchisor doesn’t know this number, ask why not.
• What therapeutic wavelengths does the device deliver — 660nm, 850nm, or both?
• Is treatment coverage full-body, panel-based, or handheld? What are the implications for session duration and throughput?
• What is the device warranty, and who handles maintenance?

Franchise Structure

• Is the FDD current, and will it be provided before any fee is requested?
• What does Item 7 disclose as the initial investment range?
• Does the franchisor make financial performance representations in Item 19? If yes, on what data are they based?
• What are the royalty and marketing fund fee structures?

Operating Model

• Is this a single-modality or multi-modality concept?
• What are the square footage and buildout requirements?
• What is the staffing model, and what does onboarding and training look like?
• What is the member acquisition and retention system — and is there documented performance data from operating units?

Franchisor Validation

• How many locations are currently open versus sold but not yet open?
• What markets are operating, and how long have they been open?
• Can you speak with existing franchisees? Under Item 20 of the FDD, you have the right to contact them. Use it. The International Franchise Association’s franchisee resources offer guidance on productive validation calls.
• What does the marketing and launch support system deliver in the first 90 days?

Radiant Results is built to withstand this level of scrutiny. The discovery process answers these questions with documentation, not talking points — because operators who do the due diligence before signing make better franchisees than those who don’t.

Ready to Evaluate the Radiant Results Opportunity?

Radiant Results is expanding into new markets with a medical-grade equipment standard, a focused operational model, and a marketing system with documented results from an operating location.

For investors and operators evaluating the medical-grade red light therapy franchise space, the discovery process starts with a single step: request the FDD and begin the conversation.

Inquire about available territories and request the FDD at getradiantresults.com/franchise/.
We’re selectively awarding markets. Not every applicant is the right fit — and that’s intentional.

This is not a franchise offering. A franchise can only be offered through delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document.

FAQ — Questions Franchise Investors Ask About Medical-Grade Red Light Therapy

How much does it cost to open a red light therapy franchise?

Investment levels vary by brand, market, and buildout scope. The authoritative source for any franchise investment is the FDD — specifically Item 7 (initial investment range) and Item 19 (financial performance representations). The FTC requires you receive the FDD at least 14 days before signing any agreement. Radiant Results provides complete investment disclosure through the franchise inquiry process. Review the FDD with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

What does “medical grade” mean for a red light therapy franchise?

In the context of light therapy devices, “medical grade” refers to a specific cluster of specifications: FDA Class II clearance status, irradiance output measured in mW/cm², therapeutic wavelength delivery (660nm red and 850nm near-infrared), and treatment surface coverage. It is not a regulated marketing term — any brand can use it. What separates a genuine medical-grade claim from a marketing phrase is documentation. Any RLT franchise you evaluate should be able to produce FDA clearance documentation and device specifications on request.

How significant is the red light therapy market opportunity for franchise investors?

The red light therapy market is in an active growth phase, with growth rates that outpace broader wellness market averages. For franchise investors, the category figure establishes the demand environment. Individual market performance still depends on local demographics, competitive landscape, and operator execution. Market data establishes the tailwind. It does not replace unit economics analysis.

What’s the structural difference between a dedicated red light therapy franchise and a multi-modality wellness concept?

A multi-modality wellness franchise offers multiple services in a single location — RLT alongside cryotherapy, IV therapy, compression, and others. That breadth carries higher buildout investment, more complex staffing, broader training requirements, and a more variable member experience. A focused RLT franchise has a defined service menu, leaner operational structure, and a faster path to operational efficiency. Neither model is universally superior. The right answer depends on the operator’s capital, market, risk tolerance, and operational experience. Evaluate the structural tradeoffs honestly using Item 19 data from each brand under consideration.

Do I need a medical or wellness background to own a Radiant Results franchise?

No clinical background is required. The model is built for operators and business managers — the equipment, protocols, and member experience design are defined by the system. What matters is business management capability, systems discipline, capital readiness, and genuine commitment to the market. Wellness industry experience is an advantage in understanding the member profile. It is not a prerequisite for qualification. Operators seeking a passive investment or who are resistant to operating within an established system are not suited to this model.

What markets are currently available for a Radiant Results franchise?

Radiant Results is operating in Sandy, UT and opening locations in Charlotte, NC and St. Louis, MO. Territory availability across other markets varies. Prospective franchisees should inquire early to determine whether their target market is open and meets the demographic and operational criteria for a new location. Primary markets fill first. Territory availability is confirmed through the franchise discovery process at getradiantresults.com/franchise/.

This is not a franchise offering. A franchise can only be offered through delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document.