New Orleans – September 23, 2026 -- HOTWORX, the 24-hour infrared sauna fitness franchise, has surpassed 900 open studios worldwide and now serves more than 400,000 members, putting the brand on track to hit 1,000 locations by spring 2027.
Franchise Network Crosses 900 Studios Nearly a Decade After Launch
HOTWORX opened its first studio in Oxford, Miss., in 2017. The brand has since expanded across the United States, Canada, Ireland and Dubai, with 408,693 members recorded this year and new studios in development in Mexico and Kenya.
Member-to-Owner Pipeline Drives Majority of Franchise Growth
A majority of HOTWORX franchisees joined the system as members before converting to ownership, according to the company. Founder and CEO Stephen P. Smith said the model is working at scale, noting that most owners experienced the infrared workout firsthand before signing a franchise agreement.
Alaska Becomes Newest Market With Four-Studio Development Deal
HOTWORX entered Alaska for the first time in 2026 through a multi-unit development agreement covering four studios, led by franchisees Tracey Pidge and Ciara Boyce. The first location, in Wasilla, opened in August, extending the brand's footprint into a new U.S. state.
2026 Marks Largest Technology Rollout in Company History
The brand has centered this year's product development on its Burn Off App. TrainingTRAX, an AI-powered personal training system for Sweat Elite members, launched in April and generates customized 90-day plans combining infrared sauna sessions with FX Zone resistance training. SCAN24/7, a Square-powered retail system, allows members to scan and purchase pro shop merchandise without an attendant, keeping studios unstaffed around the clock. INFO ZONE, introduced in June, functions as a 24/7 in-app knowledge hub on infrared exercise science, while AI Coach Chat pairs with the proprietary Burn Rate algorithm to track calorie-burning efficiency over time. The Silent Trainer virtual coaching feature in the FX Zone was also updated as demand for functional training grows.
Brand Climbs 37 Spots on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 Ranking
HOTWORX ranked No. 58 on Entrepreneur's 2026 Franchise 500, up from No. 95 in 2025, and was named No. 3 fitness franchise and top-ranked boutique fitness brand in Entrepreneur's inaugural Top 10 Industry Franchise Rankings. The company also debuted on the Inc. 5000 at No. 4,100, and Smith was named a 2026 Most Admired C-Suite Executive by New Orleans CityBusiness.
Executive Signals Intent to Define the Infrared Fitness Category
Smith said the brand has opened a new state, launched its biggest technology upgrade to date and climbed nearly 40 spots on the Franchise 500 with a quarter of the year still remaining. He said the objective has shifted from proving infrared fitness belongs in the market to defining the category outright.