The owners of Health Tech U.S.A. LLC, a Spokane business that offers high-tech health and wellness services, say they plan to begin selling franchises at the beginning of the year.

The owners, Joseph and Sheri Shields, opened Health Tech U.S.A.'s first store here in NorthTown Mall in June 2008, says Joseph Shields. He says the company has preliminary agreements for 11 franchise operations in Washington state, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah, and hopes to have its franchiser paperwork completed and approved in January.

Shields says the company envisions franchises being opened in malls around the country.

Health Tech U.S.A. offers high-tech wellness services, such as detox foot baths that use electronically ionized water, thermal massage, and what's called a TurboSonic vibration platform that uses sound waves to stimulate a person's muscle groups while he or she stands on the machine for about 10 minutes.

Shields says the primary benefits of the various services are stimulation of the lymphatic system and stress reduction, though he asserts that weight loss can be a side effect of using the equipment. All of the equipment the company uses is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, he says.

Shields says Health Tech U.S.A. has been well-received here and has almost 600 clients who use its services regularly. Clients can buy packages or a la carte services, Shields says.

The store here is located in a 1,000-square-foot space in NorthTown Mall and employs four people. Shields says Health Tech U.S.A. broke even in its first month of business and has exceeded revenue projections, but he declines to disclose revenues or its expected price structure for potential franchisees to buy a franchise and start an operation.