A hip joint clinic adds franchisee

Provided by A hip joint Nixa LLC

A former employee of a 5-year-old Springfield health care practice launched its first franchise location this month in Nixa.

LeAnne Aust is owner and franchisee of A hip joint Nixa LLC, which opened a chiropractic clinic Feb. 1 at 380 E. Highway CC, Ste. A105, in the Washington Center.

It’s the second ownership venture for Aust, who owned a massage therapy business, Back to Balance LLC, in Republic for around two years. She closed the business in 2019 to join the staff of A hip joint Springfield LLC as a massage therapist.

Drs. Eric and Tania Reavis started A hip joint in downtown Springfield in 2016, followed by a second location in 2019 at 1720 E. Republic Road, Ste. S, in the Southgate Shopping Center. Among its services, the Springfield clinics offer chiropractic, massage and acupuncture. Aust said the Nixa clinic soon will add acupuncture to its service list.

“We pretty much outgrew the south location in less than two years, and they were talking about opening another location,” Aust said of the Reavises. “I was like, ‘How do you feel about a franchise in Nixa?’”

Aust said while she agreed to pay undisclosed royalties, the Reavises waived an upfront franchise fee because she was a company employee. Franchise fees are only for those not employed by A hip joint, she said, declining to disclose startup costs. The company website notes franchise opportunities are available through The Hip Joints LLC. It lists an undisclosed franchise fee, 6% royalty fee and 2% marketing fee.

“I just wanted to take what I’m passionate about and … offer it to people who may not be able to get to Springfield,” said Aust, a Nixa resident. “It kind of meshes my two niches together, because I do well with office work, but also massage therapy is hands down my passion.”

The 3,000-square-foot Nixa clinic employs seven, Aust said, declining to disclose her three-year lease rate with D-Man Rentals LLC.

A hip joint’s model is based on membership fees starting at $45 per month for one chiropractic adjustment and each additional adjustment at $30, Aust said. Charges for those who aren’t members are $55 per hour for a chiropractic adjustment and $65 per hour for a massage, she said.