Portal Thermaculture is a social wellness brand offering Scandinavian-inspired sauna, cold plunge, and contrast-therapy experiences, serving urban wellness seekers and community groups, and known for membership-based clubs, guided thermal circuits, and mission-driven support for mental health causes.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Franchise fee
?
$85,000
Investment
?
$386,000 - $2,860,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Portal Thermaculture is a modern wellness franchise built around contrast therapy social clubs that combine heat and cold exposure with community connection. The concept centers on sauna and cold plunge experiences designed to improve physical resilience, mental clarity, and overall well-being.
Portal positions itself as a social wellness club rather than a traditional spa or gym. Members are encouraged to relax, sweat, recover, and connect in a shared recreational environment.
The brand was founded in 2024 and is rooted in the concept of thermaculture, which blends traditional sauna rituals with cold water immersion. Portal Thermaculture was created to redefine recreation by integrating wellness, recovery, and social interaction into one experience.
Portal Thermaculture sells structured contrast therapy sessions, memberships, and guided wellness experiences. Guests typically cycle between high-heat saunas and cold plunges to support recovery, circulation, and stress management.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Portal Thermaculture franchise is
$386,000 - $2,860,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Portal Thermaculture offers 3 types of franchises:
Model
Initial Investment Range
Portal Thermaculture Mobile Club
$386,250 to $618,000
Portal Thermaculture Floating Club
$1,490,000 to $2,860,000
Portal Thermaculture Brick and Mortar Club
$745,500 to $1,524,000
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Portal Thermaculture Floating Club.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$85,000
Logistics Fee
$735,000
Activation Fee
$30,000
Marketing Fund Contributions
$75,000
Real Estate Rent and Security Deposit
$35,000 to $50,000
Real Estate Construction and Improvements
$50,000 to $1,000,000
Equipment Lease Payments
$75,000
Utilities and Utility Deposits
$5,000 to $15,000
Insurance
$6,750 to $12,500
Training Expenses
$0 to $3,000
Initial Inventory
$5,000 to $35,000
Furnishings
$100,000 to $300,000
Computer System
$2,000 to $6,000
Grand Opening Expenses
$5,000 to $30,000
Licenses and Permits
$30,000 to $50,000
Accounting and Professional Fees
$1,250 to $6,500
Staff Recruiting and Salary Expenses
$0 to $2,000
Additional Funds for First Three Months of Operation
$250,000 to $350,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$1,490,000 to $2,860,000
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Portal Thermaculture offers 3 types of franchises:
Model
Initial Investment Range
Portal Thermaculture Mobile Club
$386,250 to $618,000
Portal Thermaculture Floating Club
$1,490,000 to $2,860,000
Portal Thermaculture Brick and Mortar Club
$745,500 to $1,524,000
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Portal Thermaculture Floating Club.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$85,000
Logistics Fee
$735,000
Activation Fee
$30,000
Marketing Fund Contributions
$75,000
Real Estate Rent and Security Deposit
$35,000 to $50,000
Real Estate Construction and Improvements
$50,000 to $1,000,000
Equipment Lease Payments
$75,000
Utilities and Utility Deposits
$5,000 to $15,000
Insurance
$6,750 to $12,500
Training Expenses
$0 to $3,000
Initial Inventory
$5,000 to $35,000
Furnishings
$100,000 to $300,000
Computer System
$2,000 to $6,000
Grand Opening Expenses
$5,000 to $30,000
Licenses and Permits
$30,000 to $50,000
Accounting and Professional Fees
$1,250 to $6,500
Staff Recruiting and Salary Expenses
$0 to $2,000
Additional Funds for First Three Months of Operation
$250,000 to $350,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$1,490,000 to $2,860,000
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Portal Thermaculture's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Portal Thermaculture had 0 total units in 2025, of which 0 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the royalty fee?
The royalty fee for a Portal Thermaculture franchise is 7.50%. In addition, you would have to pay the advertising (or national brand fund) fee of .
What is the total investment?
The initial investment required for a Portal Thermaculture franchise is $386,000 - $2,860,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
What is the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for a Portal Thermaculture franchise is $85,000. This is typically paid upfront as part of the total initial investment, after signature of the Franchise Agreeement.
Portal Thermaculture provides a thorough training program to ensure franchisees and their teams are equipped to meet brand standards and operate efficiently:
Initial Training Program: Portal offers initial training for one Guarantor and up to three Key Persons at no extra charge, excluding expenses. The training may occur at the franchise location, corporate office, another Portal Club, or any designated site, covering topics like business, technology, and client relationship management. Franchisees must complete this training to Portal’s satisfaction at least 30 days before opening, or risk termination.
New Key Personnel Training: Any newly hired Key Person must complete the required training at a Portal-approved location within a reasonable timeframe. Failure to train or use untrained personnel in management can lead to violations of the agreement.
Additional, Supplementary, and Special Training: Portal or the franchisee may identify the need for further training during the franchise term. Portal may charge fees and require reimbursement for associated travel, food, and lodging expenses.
Training Upon Default: If a franchisee is in default due to operational shortcomings, Portal may mandate corrective training as part of the remedy, at the franchisee's expense.
Territory Protection
Portal Thermaculture grants franchisees a defined geographic territory to operate their Portal Club, typically based on ZIP codes or a radius from the approved location. While franchisees do not receive exclusive territory rights, the franchisor agrees not to open or license another Portal Club under the same trademark within that area, as long as the franchisee remains compliant.
This protection can vary based on whether the franchisee is under a standard Franchise Agreement or a Development Agreement, the latter of which may offer broader protections tied to performance obligations.
However, Portal reserves extensive rights to compete indirectly within a franchisee’s territory. It may establish similar or competing businesses using different marks or distribution models, and it can sell products or services through various channels, including online platforms or affiliate businesses.