The orthopedic wellness franchise separates clinic ownership from practitioner-led care as it targets growth in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
- Structural Elements® seeks multi-unit investors for growth.
- Dual-FDD model separates clinic ownership from caregiving.
- Brand aims to reach 125 clinics in five years.
Structural Elements®, an orthopedic wellness franchise based in Hagerstown, Maryland, is seeking experienced multi-unit investors as it prepares for its next stage of growth. The brand, which has franchised since 2016, uses a dual-franchise disclosure document model that separates clinic ownership and operations from the delivery of care by licensed practitioners. The structure allows clinic owners to manage the business without needing a clinical background.
Under the model, clinic owners oversee facilities and back-office functions such as scheduling, billing, marketing, and front-desk operations. Licensed providers, including physical therapists, acupuncturists, athletic trainers, and other healthcare professionals, operate their own practices inside the clinics as micro-franchise owners. The arrangement is designed to give practitioners a path to practice ownership while sharing certain facility costs and resources.
Structural Elements generates revenue for clinic owners through several channels, including monthly fees from practitioner businesses, recovery memberships, retail, workshops, and corporate wellness programs. Founder and CEO Douglas Bertram said the model has been refined through years of experience with patients and providers. The company is looking for operators with business and operational experience who value its provider-centered approach, rather than requiring prospective owners to have a healthcare background.
The investment is substantial. Structural Elements lists an initial franchise fee of $65,000, reduced to $52,000 for each additional clinic under a multi-unit agreement, with an estimated total initial investment of $703,000 to $1.4 million. The company is registered to offer franchises in Maryland, Wisconsin, and Florida, while identifying Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina as near-term growth markets. Its stated goal is to reach 125 clinics within five years.
As clinic networks expand, recurring programs and membership administration can become important parts of day-to-day operations. Gorilla Dash offers a Memberships and Subscriptions feature designed to help businesses manage recurring customer programs. It is a relevant example of the software category available to franchise operators, not an indication that Structural Elements uses or is affiliated with the platform.
Structural Elements’ growth strategy rests on a model that gives clinic owners responsibility for the business while allowing licensed practitioners to run their own practices within the same location. Its ability to recruit qualified operators and providers will be central to its expansion plans. For prospective investors, the opportunity combines a defined operating structure with a significant initial investment and the challenges of building a multi-provider wellness business.
Key Facts:
| Business Separation | Structural Elements® uses a dual-FDD model, separating clinic ownership from caregiving, allowing non-clinical owners. |
|---|---|
| Franchise History | The brand started franchising in 2016 and adopted a micro-franchise model in 2019. |
| Growth Target | Aims to expand to 125 clinics within five years, with growth in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. |
| Owner Model | Clinic owners manage logistics, while licensed providers run micro-franchise practices inside the clinics. |
| Founder Background | Douglas Bertram, the founder, is a seasoned manual therapist and endurance athlete with a unique wellness approach. |
| Franchise Fees | Initial franchise fee is $65,000; with an additional clinic fee of $52,000 under multi-unit agreements. |
| Registered States | Currently registered in Maryland, Wisconsin, and Florida for franchise offerings. |
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