VIO Med Spa has signed a franchise agreement to enter the Richmond market, with its first area location planned for 1058 Steam Ave. in Midlothian, according to an August 20, 2026 announcement.
The physician-guided medical spa franchise said the move marks its first location in the Richmond market and places the brand in what it described as one of Virginia’s fastest-growing metro areas. The company said Richmond’s growing population and demand for aesthetic and wellness services made the market a next step in its expansion.
"Our evaluation process identified Richmond as one of our top target markets, and this agreement brings together that opportunity with the right operators to capitalize on it", said Ryan Rao, Chief Development Officer at VIO Med Spa. "The greater Richmond area offers a compelling combination of strong consumer demand, attractive demographics and room to build a meaningful regional presence over time."
Childhood friends lead the Richmond entry
The Richmond deal is being led by Hari Patel and Meet Patel, who the company described as longtime friends and business partners. The pair left careers in finance and banking shortly after college and opened their first Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2022 at age 22.
Since then, they have built a portfolio of seven Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations and one Spitz Mediterranean restaurant. The Midlothian project will be their first move into the medical aesthetics business.
"When Meet and I evaluate a new business opportunity, we look just as closely at the systems and support behind the brand as we do the industry itself", said Hari Patel. "As we looked to enter the medical aesthetics space, VIO stood out for its strong structure and the tremendous support provided by its team. We look forward to opening our first location and bringing high-quality, physician-guided medical aesthetics services to the Richmond community."
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Part of a broader expansion push
The Richmond agreement adds to VIO Med Spa’s growth in 2026. The company said it has signed more than 15 new franchise agreements this year, including a recent agreement in Atlanta, as it expands in high-growth markets across the country.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, VIO Med Spa said it operates 65 locations across 20 states entering 2026, with more than 175 territories open, sold, or actively in development. The company said its services include injectables, skin rejuvenation, laser treatments, facials, wellness services, and medical-grade skincare.
VIO Med Spa was also named the #1 Med Spa Franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® for the third straight year in 2026. Its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document reports a $1.3M AUV for all operating locations throughout 2025, with a $2.3M top quartile average, based on figures cited in the announcement.
