The entrepreneur who founded the Retro Fitness gym chain is launching anti-aging centers that revolve around serotonin, a chemical that's touted as a mood-stabilizer and sleep aid.

Serotonin Centers, created and led by Eric Casaburi, has broken ground on the first of five locations slated for New Jersey as part of a multiunit franchise development deal, marking its Northeast push beyond Florida. Construction has started at 178 Route 537 in Colts Neck, according to a statement released Thursday by Windermere, Florida-based Serotonin Centers. The first Garden State center is expected to open in late fall and will be the first one located outside of the Sunshine State.

There's been a surge in retail concepts — and franchises — related to wellness, immune-system boosting and anti-aging treatments after the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. For example, intravenous vitamin-drip spas have popped up nationally. Serotonin Centers is positioning itself as a one-stop shop offering "cutting-edge technologies to holistically fight the natural aging process through hormone-replacement therapy, medical weight loss, immunity/recovery and aesthetic enhancement."

There are competitors in the space, including BeBalanced Hormone Weight Loss Centers, which is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that also acts as a hormone, according to the Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center. An unbalance of it can trigger depression, anxiety, insomnia and other unhealthy conditions. "Serotonin’s wellness and anti-aging concept provides members the road map for maximizing wellness and longevity," according to Serotonin Centers.

Casaburi didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Friday on Serotonin Centers. But he did supply a statement in the announcement about the planned New Jersey locations.

"While the progression of this development agreement has been exciting to witness, there's plenty of work ahead to ensure this first facility is up and operational in line with the time frame we're anticipating," Casaburi said, adding they will "serve as a benchmark for the locations to come."

Casaburi opened the first Serotonin Centers site, its flagship, in Florida last year after spending the majority of his career creating and expanding Retro Fitness, also a franchise company. He has since left the fitness chain, which is based in West Palm Beach, and now has 175 health clubs open or in development.

Dr. Lisa Granado and Danielle D'Alessio will co-own and operate the New Jersey sites. Granado is a practicing physician, and D'Alessio is a physician assistant in emergency medicine.

Serotonin Centers tells potential franchisees that the potential pool of customers in the United States, adults 18 and older, is over 258.3 million people. And the United States has the largest wellness market, valued at $1.2 trillion according to the Global Wellness Institute.

In June, Serotonin Centers said one of its franchisees had secured $6.5 million in funding for five additional locations throughout the Orlando market.

Anti-Aging Holdings Orlando is slated to open those sites in the fall, including centers in Winter Park, Lake Mary, Clermont, Lake Nona and Horizon West. The company plans to open additional sites upon completion of the initial five-center development.