IV drips are typically used to cure one’s hangover, rehydrating someone with vitamins after a night of one too many, and are popular in places such as Las Vegas.
But since THE DRIPBaR opened in Warwick in 2016, owner Shannon Petteruti’s mission was to pivot the way people perceived intravenous therapy and cellular health into more of a lifestyle choice.
“We see the benefits, for the everyday person to people that have been diagnosed with cancer,” said Petteruti. “We didn’t want to focus on hangovers, and frankly, don’t really do that many of them.”
Intravenous therapy, which is also known as IV therapy, is the administering of nutrients and hydration directly into the bloodstream for immediate absorption by the body, and is the fastest way to deliver these nutrients, according to Chief Development Officer Ben Crosbie, who has been working to franchise the business since last September.
So far, Crosbie said DRIPBaR is expected to open five locations by the end of 2020 and at least 40 more in 2021. These locations, he said, will be in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Virginia, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Illinois and North Carolina.
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Petteruti said 75% of their clients were returning – without a membership, discounts or loyalty points included. The pandemic, Crosbie said, has made Americans even more health conscious, and is providing the DRIPBaR an even larger boost.
Clients have 18 different IV lifestyle or health-support drips to choose from, including the “flu fighter” that can help the common cold and High C, which is typically for current or former cancer patients. For those who don’t have time for a full vitamin infusion but want the benefit, clients can choose one of seven “quick shots” that Petteruti says gives the body an added boost.
“Our clientele is just more health conscious,” said Crosbie, who has a background in health clinics after leading Tapout Fitness, which is a martial arts-infused fitness for various ages and experience levels. He said after being a client at DRIPBaR, he was committed to taking Petteruti’s brand national by exposing how IV drips can slow signs of aging, reduce brain fog and boost energy.
Each session ranges in price from about $100 to $200 and people are sitting in the chair anywhere from 25 to 40 minutes, said Crosbie.
“We don’t want to be a business that relies on Groupon and discounting,” said Crosbie, who when looking for their next franchise spot is looking for markets that have Starbucks and Massage Envy for similar buying personas.
However, their philanthropy program, which builds off DRIPBaR’s mission to give people the opportunity to live their longest and healthiest lifespan, is allowing pediatric patients who are fighting cancer or are cancer survivors free vitamin C packs through their IV therapy.
“I was using IV therapy because I wanted to work longer, harder and more-focused hours. It was kind of my secret weapon,” said Crosbie. “Now it’s my goal to expand this business so everyone can have that weapon.”
The initial investment to open a 1,000- to 1,500-square-foot location is around $116,300 to $272,700, including the franchise fee of $55,000.
OWNERS: Shannon Petteruti and Ben Crosbie
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Medical spa
LOCATION: 250 Centerville Road, Building E, Warwick
EMPLOYEES: 10
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2016
ANNUAL SALES: $540,000
Alexa Gagosz is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Gagosz@PBN.com.
