A national med spa chain with 65 locations across 20 states is planting its first flag in New York City, signing a franchise agreement to open a location somewhere in Queens. The deal pairs VIO Med Spa with Dr. Arjun Mehta, a triple board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who joined Northwell Health in 2025, as medical director and co-owner, alongside business partner Amin Ashraf.
The agreement marks VIO's first New York City franchise, according to a release distributed via PR Newswire. Mehta and Ashraf are still evaluating potential sites across the borough and working to secure a lease, so an exact address has not been finalized. Ryan Rao, a VIO executive quoted in the release, called it a milestone moment: “Signing our first agreement in New York City is a significant milestone for VIO, and Queens is a natural starting point for our growth in the market.”
Mehta brings a specialized clinical background to the venture. Beyond his general dermatology and dermatopathology practice, he has expertise in diagnosing and treating skin cancers including melanoma, and per PR Newswire, has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific articles. He also specializes in cosmetic dermatology for skin of color and in managing complications from dermal fillers and laser treatments, according to a separate PR Newswire item cited in industry coverage. Before joining Northwell Health, he practiced in Vancouver for five years.
Why a Dermatologist Franchise Owner Is Unusual
Mehta's dual role as both a board-certified dermatologist and franchise co-owner is statistically rare in the med spa industry. A study published in Dermatologic Surgery and highlighted by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery found that while 66% of medical spas were single-owner practices as of 2022, 37% of single-owner medical spas were owned by physicians, and dermatologists accounted for just 4% of those physician-owned spas. Nurse practitioners, by contrast, owned 23% of single-owner med spas in 2022, up from 11% in 2019.
That doctrine is relevant to how the Queens franchise may be legally structured. Under state Education Law, medical practice licensure is reserved exclusively to natural persons, meaning traditional LLCs or lay corporate entities cannot directly own clinical operations, according to MedispaCover. The general New York model separates clinical ownership from administrative functions, with physician-controlled Professional Corporations or Professional LLCs handling the former and a separate Management Services Organization handling the latter.
Mehta pointed to VIO's brand strength and existing regional presence as reasons for the partnership. “VIO offers that brand recognition, along with a proven model, a growing national footprint, and an established presence nearby in Patchogue and East Northport,” he said, per the same PR Newswire release announcing the Queens deal.
A Fast-Growing National Franchise Backed by Private Equity
VIO Med Spa was founded in 2017 in Strongsville, Ohio, before launching its franchising model in 2018, and it opened a new national headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, in January 2026 to centralize operator training and network development, according to Skin Inc. The name stands for “Value in Ourselves.” Private equity firm Freeman Spogli acquired a majority stake in the company in September 2024, with founders Joe and Nick Stanoszek and co-founder Dr. Harish Kakarala retaining minority ownership stakes.
The chain's momentum has been building all year. VIO signed more than 18 new franchisees in 2026 and now has more than 175 territories open, sold, or in development, the company reported. Ahead of the Queens deal, VIO announced expansion agreements to enter Richmond, Virginia, in August 2026 and Atlanta, Georgia, in July 2026, following a May 2026 push that added 10 new franchise agreements across California, Florida, and the Midwest, including six planned locations in the Chicago area, according to a PR Newswire report on Webull. In the second quarter of 2026, former Meta executive Joseph Luchenta acquired existing VIO locations in Richardson and McKinney, Texas, and secured rights for a new site in Prosper, illustrating continued multi-unit franchisee demand in high-growth suburban corridors, as reported by Dallas Innovates.
Financial Performance and Industry Ranking
VIO reported a $1.3 million average unit volume across all operating locations throughout 2025, with a $2.3 million top-quartile system average, figures drawn from the company's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, which was based on 51 operational franchise outlets during the 2025 calendar year and issued March 13, 2026. In January 2026, Entrepreneur Magazine ranked VIO No. 147 overall in its Franchise 500 list and named it the No. 1 medical spa franchise for a third consecutive year, per Freeman Spogli. The chain was also ranked No. 2,498 on the 2026 Inc. 5000, and VIO says it is actively seeking additional franchise partners and multi-unit operators.
VIO's services span injectables, skin rejuvenation, advanced facials, laser treatments, wellness services, and medical-grade skincare. In July 2026, the company introduced a hospitality-inspired store design with a smaller footprint and streamlined layout intended to lower franchisee development costs, debuting the prototype in Zionsville, Indiana, according to a release carried by PR Newswire. The redesign introduced a new interior layout, though it remains unclear whether that layout will be adapted for the eventual Queens site.
Mehta has said he plans to create a safe, inclusive, and clinically grounded guest experience at the new location, a goal that dovetails with broader industry growth. The U.S. medical-spa industry has expanded in recent years, according to the American Med Spa Association. The industry includes single-location practices as well as larger operators.
