When Tony Zaccario first joined Stretch Zone as a general manager in 2016, he could not have predicted that less than a decade later, he would be leading the company’s nationwide growth as president and CEO.

Today, Stretch Zone is the leading practitioner-assisted stretching franchise in the U.S., with over 400 locations — and growing.

Stretch Zone, founded in 2004 by Jordan Gold in Miami Beach, uses a patented strapping system to position, stabilize, and isolate muscles to improve quality of life for its clients. But under Zaccario’s leadership, it’s become more than a wellness brand — it’s become an incredible example of scaling through culture, empowerment, and a laser focus on franchisee success.

Recently, IFA sat down with Zaccario, where he shared key lessons from his leadership journey, insights into how he built a high-performing team, and the philosophies that have helped Stretch Zone grow while remaining true to its mission.

Decentralized Leadership and Empowering Teams

One of the core principles that guides Stretch Zone’s culture is decentralized leadership — a concept Zaccario embraced early on, inspired by lessons from the book Legacy about the All Blacks rugby team. Rather than relying on traditional top-down management, Zaccario empowers leaders at every level to make decisions, take ownership, and even make mistakes.

“It’s about creating a system where accountability is shared not just up the chain, but across peers,” Zaccario explained. “Everyone is responsible for doing what’s best for the organization.”

Practically, this approach is embedded in Stretch Zone’s operating rhythm:

  • Weekly leadership meetings to set clear operational intent.
  • Directors and VPs meeting separately to have open, peer-to-peer discussions.
  • Cross-departmental transparency where goals and progress are shared every week.

This safe space for honest feedback has created a culture where accountability is not scary — it’s empowering. Positive reinforcement is just as important as addressing shortfalls. As Zaccario put it, “Accountability isn’t negative. It’s about reinforcing success just as much as addressing challenges.”

Growing Organically with Purpose

Unlike many rapidly growing brands, Stretch Zone didn’t set out with an aggressive franchising or exit strategy. In fact, Zaccario admits they didn’t even know franchising was the right path at first.

“We opened our first 10 corporate locations without even understanding what franchising was,” he laughed. “We didn’t have an exit plan. We simply reinvested in our system because we believed in what we were building.”

As the brand matured, Stretch Zone leaned heavily on reinvesting profits rather than taking distributions — an intentional choice that allowed them to grow methodically, support franchisees fully, and build a sustainable business model.

Even after partnering with Princeton Equity Group to support the brand’s next phase of expansion, the focus remains squarely on franchisee success. “When we looked for a partner, it wasn’t just about economics. It was about who could help us better serve our franchisees,” Zaccario said.

Learning Franchising the Right Way

Stretch Zone’s entry into franchising wasn’t always smooth, but always was authentic. They learned by doing and by seeking out the best resources available, including the International Franchise Association (IFA).

Zaccario credits the IFA for much of his franchise education. “Going to my first IFA convention was a game-changer. You realize you’re not alone — that others have faced the same challenges and found ways to succeed.”

Through mentorship, networking, and a commitment to learning, Zaccario transitioned from franchising newcomer to now serving as a member of the IFA Board of Directors, helping guide the next generation of franchise leaders.

The Simple (But Powerful) Secret to Franchise Success

When asked about his biggest “aha” moment in franchising, Zaccario didn’t hesitate: “Franchising is simple. If your franchisees are successful, you’re successful.”

That simple philosophy drives every decision at Stretch Zone, from refusing vendor rebates that would take away from franchisee profits to ensuring operational simplicity and transparency. “We measure success by franchisee performance — not by how much we can leverage our system for our own benefit.”

It’s an approach that’s clearly working. Stretch Zone has opened nearly 400 locations without closing a single one — a rare feat in any industry.

Building a Sustainable Future

Looking ahead, Zaccario knows that every decision — from leadership structure to financial strategy — must support the long-term health of the brand.

“Short-term wins can sometimes hurt you in the long run,” he said. “We’re playing for sustainable success. That means making decisions that put franchisees, and the brand’s integrity, first.”

Where rapid growth sometimes comes at the expense of brand health, Zaccario’s leadership at Stretch Zone is a reminder that doing the right thing — consistently and intentionally — is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Search