If you are planning to start your own business, haircut chain franchises could be one of the best options to invest your money in.
The haircut business is one of the most in-demand and highly profitable businesses to own in the United States.
In addition to hair care and grooming services, haircut franchises offer a wide range of services for men, women, and kids, including spa and nail services, depending on their size capacity.
With more people prioritizing personal care and self-grooming, the industry is poised for continuous success.
An average hair salon in the United States generates a revenue of $245,000 which makes $63 billion of total annual salon revenue, almost 15% of the nation’s economy.
The hair salon industry in the U.S. is currently worth around $53.6 billion and is expected to continue its steady growth.
For those who are looking for lucrative haircut chain franchise opportunities that offer all the necessary resources and support for success in the hair industry, here are the 10 best haircut chain franchise businesses that are worth investing in the U.S.A.
1O Best Haircut Chain Franchise Opportunities in U.S.A.
1. Supercuts Franchise
| Founded in | 1975 |
| Franchising Since | 1979 |
| Estimated Outlets | 2665 |
| Initial Investment | $151k-$313k |
| Franchise Fees | $18k-$30k |
| Liquidity | $150,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6% |
Supercuts is one of the most famous names in haircut franchises under the umbrella of Regis Corporation.
In 1970, it started as an alternative to both high-end salons and barbershops; this franchise has locations across the United States.
The professional hair stylists you will hire will handle everything for you.
This no-appointment haircut salon offers various services beyond haircuts, such as hair coloring, waxing, and scalp massages.
With over 38 million guest visits per year, Supercuts has had a net growth rate of 39% over the last three years.
Supercuts is a great option for industry first-timers, as they don’t require any of their franchise to have salon experience.
They offer an initial training program for the franchisee’s managing owner and other managerial employees and designate a specific location to operate the salon.
The length of the initial franchise term is 10 years, and if the franchisee performs well, they may acquire two successor franchises for five years.
Read our complete guide on Supercuts Franchise to get all the details of the franchise.
2. Great Clips Franchise
| Founded in | 1982 |
| Franchising Since | 1983 |
| Estimated Outlets | 4371 |
| Initial Investment | $136k-$258k |
| Franchise Fees | $20k |
| Liquidity | $50k-$150k |
| Royalty Fees | 6% |
Great Clips is the salon industry leader that has made its mark due to its technological innovations and excellent customer experience.
Found in 1982 by Steve Lemmon and David Rubenzer, it has more than 4,000 locations all over the U.S. and Canada. Great Clips opens quick and inexpensive haircuts without any appointments.
Great Clips is an ideal franchise opportunity for someone with the desire and time to manage a salon manager.
The franchisor provides salon management and training to franchisees as well as their managers and key stylists.
Franchisees can attend the Great Clips training program and conduct business at an authorized location by establishing and operating a salon.
But is the Great Clips franchise Profitable? To get all the information on the franchise, read our complete guide.
3. Cost Cutters Franchise
| Founded in | 1982 |
| Franchising Since | 1982 |
| Estimated Outlets | 600 |
| Initial Investment | $29,500 |
| Franchise Fees | $39,500 |
| Liquidity | $500,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6% |
Cost Cutters is one of the leading names when it comes to haircut chain franchise opportunities.
It is a family-oriented hair care salon that strives to offer everything from haircuts to hair styling at affordable prices without having to book an appointment.
Its parent company of the cost cutters is the Regis Corporation which is one of the largest hair salon chains in the world.
Cost-cutters are one of the few haircut franchises that provide franchisees with a comprehensive business training program.
The support includes stylist education, professional marketing, and advertising programs, help in choosing a convenient location with lots of potentials, and the additional backing required to build a successful business and meet the company’s standards.
Many franchisees love the fact that the initial investment required to open a Cost Cutter salon is distinctly lower than other haircut salon franchises.
4. Fantastic SAMS Franchise
| Founded in | 1974 |
| Franchising Since | 1976 |
| Estimated Outlets | 1000 |
| Initial Investment | $144,862-$316,006 |
| Franchise Fees | $30,000 |
| Liquidity | $100,000 |
| Royalty Fees | $362+ per week |
Fantastic SAMS is a chain of full-service hair salons founded by Sam Ross in Memphis, Tennessee, with an aim to provide a full line of haircare services to everyone in the family at affordable prices.
The family hair care has been conducting operations nationwide since 1982 and has built a reputable brand name, making it an ideal franchise opportunity for beginners.
One of the many reasons why you might want to own a Fantastic SAMS is its simple and flexible work model that works for small towns to large cities alike and due to its affordable and reliable services, it is always high in demand.
The franchisor provides a full-time training program to franchisees and the designated salon manager consisting of hair styling techniques, sales, training, inventory control, financial management, techniques, advertising and promotions, and customer relations.
Fantastic SAMS has been ranked 418 on Entrepreneurs magazine’s Franchise 500 list and we take pride in helping independent business owners build successful salons that serve the needs of our community.
5. Sport Clips Franchise
| Founded in | 1993 |
| Franchising Since | 1995 |
| Estimated Outlets | 1800+ |
| Initial Investment | $224,800-$373,300 |
| Franchise Fees | $25k-$59k |
| Liquidity | $100,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6% |
Sports Clips is a sports-themed men’s haircut franchise that has earned its place in the United States hair salon franchise industry.
Established in 1993, by Gordon Logon, the idea behind Sport Clips was to provide hair care services in a fun environment and provide a unique and unbeatable hair-cutting experience to men.
Today, with over 1800 outlets throughout the U.S., Sport Clips is one of the fastest-growing franchise names in the men’s hair category.
Our business model is easy to execute and allows franchisees to grow their business on their terms.
We have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs thrive in men’s cutting franchises with our best-in-class training and support program in the whole franchise industry.
There is no best time to invest in the Sport Clips franchise than now.
6. SNIP-ITS Franchise
| Founded in | 1995 |
| Franchising Since | 2003 |
| Estimated Outlets | 62 |
| Initial Investment | $144,770-$249,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $35,000 |
| Liquidity | $100,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 2% |
The Snip-Its Corporation is the leading children’s salon in the United States that offers reliable haircare services for children.
Established in 1995, the salon is a magical place that strives to make mundane and unpleasant activities of cutting hair into an exciting and fun-filled adventure.
Snip-its offers hairstyles, spa treatments, shampooing, braiding, and party styles for boys and girls, as well as the baby’s first haircut services.
We have built our stellar brand reputation as one of the true leaders in this booming industry.
Our franchise model is designed to help franchisees maximize their profit potential.
From memorable branding and professional development to stylist training and comprehensive support, we are ready to help you grow your business.
7. FirstChoice Hair Cutters Franchise
| Founded in | 1980 |
| Franchising Since | 1980 |
| Estimated Outlets | 205 |
| Initial Investment | $163,880-$302,600 |
| Franchise Fees | $29,500-$49,500 |
| Liquidity | $150,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5-7% |
First Choice Haircutters is Canada’s most popular hair salon chain that has been providing top-notch and affordable hair care services for more than 30 years now.
Based in Mississauga, Canada, the chain offers a full range of hair services including haircuts, coloring, trimming, deep conditioning, and waxing for the entire family.
First Choice Haircutters is now owned by Regis Corp and offers an ideal business opportunity for new business owners who want to tap into the hair salon industry through an established brand with a huge customer base.
Today, First Choice haircutters have more than 300 franchises and actively seeking for dedicated and capable candidates to add more franchises.
They offer classroom and on-the-job training of up to 4-5 days without any charges and financing to qualified franchisees.
8. Camille Albane Franchise
| Founded in | 1954 |
| Franchising Since | 1994 |
| Estimated Outlets | 270 |
| Initial Investment | $151k-$313k |
| Franchise Fees | $40,000 |
| Liquidity | $150,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5-7% |
Camille Albane is a high-end salon and beauty franchise in Europe known for its styling and color expertise.
Established in 1954, Camille Albane has more than 300 locations, and they are now expanding in the U.S.A.
The aim of the salon is to make authentic French beauty services available in the U.S. and help consumers achieve a stylish trending look along with makeup touch-ups and a bit of pampering at the end of each visit.
Camille Albane is a worthy option for business owners looking to invest in something unique and innovative.
We offer potential franchisees a ground opportunity to start their own business in the U.S.
Because of our exclusive product line, our franchisees are provided with the training, access to the marketing and support systems of over 2,000-unit chain, and multiple streams of revenue such as hair, makeup, and retail products.
9. Drybar Franchise
| Founded in | 2010 |
| Franchising Since | 2012 |
| Estimated Outlets | 139 |
| Initial Investment | $644,070-$1,348,360 |
| Franchise Fees | $50,000 |
| Liquidity | $350,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 7% |
Drybar is a bar-themed haircut franchise salon in the U.S. that specialize in wash-and-dry blow-out styling.
The customers sit in a U-shaped bar with their backs to the mirrors with different names such as Mai Tai, Dirty Martini, Cosmo, etc.
Founded in 2010 by Ali Webb, the salon started franchising in 2012 and currently operates a total of 139 locations nationwide, one of which is owned by franchisees.
Franchisees are trained to deliver the elite experience to the customers and grow a successful franchise.
While some franchisors frustrate their franchises by being hard on them, we pride ourselves on having a team that understands the ins and outs of the salon business and helps franchisees take advantage of decades of franchise experience.
Read our complete guide to know more about Drybar Franchise.
10. Lemon Tree Franchise
| Founded in | 1974 |
| Franchising Since | 1990 |
| Estimated Outlets | 100 |
| Initial Investment | $19,700-$244,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $35,000 |
| Liquidity | $75,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6% |
Lemon Tree is a chain of family-oriented chain of salons offering all sorts of haircare services including haircuts, styling, coloring, highlighting, washing, beard and mustache trimming, permanents, and more.
We take pride in helping independent business owners trying to bud successful haircut salons in the U.S. Some of the many reasons why franchisees love investing in our business is the absentee business model and markedly lowest investment amount of buying a franchise than any other haircut franchise in the U.S.
When Should You Choose A Haircut Chain Franchise?
Choosing the right haircut chain franchise requires you to consider some factors before investing in any franchise.
However, when it’s about when should you choose a haircut chain franchise, then you need to ska a few question to effectively come to a decision:
1. Am I Passionate About The Franchise?
Some people buy the franchise only thinking about the profit in the business, but only some are passionate about operating the business considering both loss and profit.
So, ask yourself do you want to invest in the business only to earn profit, or are you really interested in the business?
2. How Much Can I Afford To Invest?
Buying a franchise is not as easy as you might think. It requires proper financial planning, however, sometimes proper planning also fails due to unforeseen situations.
It’s a good idea to have a year’s worth of expenses and additional funds that are available to be used in the business.
3. Do I Have Appropriate Skills?
Buying a franchise requires you to think about the skills and expertise required to manage the business and do you possess those skills.
Some of the skills required are management skills, analytical skills and etc.
Factors To Consider While Choosing A Haircut Chain Franchise
With so many haircut chain franchises choosing the right one becomes vital. Here are a few pre-requites that you should consider before investing in any haircut chain franchise:
1. Expenses
Expenses are the most important aspect to look for before investing in any haircut chain franchise.
Understand every expense associated with the franchise, such as franchise fee, initial investment, royal fee, and then compare it with your estimated budget.
2. Market Research
Conduct thorough market research, including the overall market as well as the local market.
Look for potential competitors in the industry and in the location of your franchise. Also, look for the potential customer base in the location and whether the location has the ability to grow your franchisee further.
3. Franchisor’s Background
The best way to check the franchisor’s background is to check with the existing franchisees operating in the business with the franchisor.
Check for any legal or illegal disputes of the franchise brand.
4. Review The Franchise Disclosure Document
Read the legal franchise disclosure document and make it get reviewed by an expert franchise attorney.
According to the experts, a franchise disclosure document contains various legal terms that you might not be familiar with, so getting it reviewed by the franchise attorney will ensure that you are doing business with the right people and it will also eliminate any implications.
5. Training Program And Support
Some franchisors provide training and support to the franchisee but in some cases, the franchisee have to bear all the cost related to training.
So, it important to be sure there your franchise will bear the training and the cost associated with it or you will have to pay the amount from your pocket.
Comparison of Top 5 Haircut Chain Franchise Opportunities
| Company Name | Supercuts | Great Clips | Cost Cutters | Fantastic SAMS | Sport Clips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 | 1982 | 1982 | 1974 | 1993 |
| Outlets | 2665 | 4371 | 600 | 1000 | 1800+ |
| Franchise Fee | $18k-$30k | $20k | $29k | $30k | $25-59k |
| Initial Investment | $151k-$313k | $136-$258K | $39,500k | $44,862-$316,006 | $224,800-$373,300 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% | 6% | 6% | $362+ per week | 6% |
Conclusion
Franchises can be a great way to start your first-ever hair salon business.
If you want to invest in a haircut franchise, there are a number of factors you must consider to choose the one that’s best for you.
The first thing you should do is research which franchises are available in your area, consider your budget, and define your goals before making a decision.
It’s better to consult hair salon experts and get their opinion on which franchise would suit you the best. They may be able to offer you insight that you didn’t consider.
To conclude, we can say that all the haircut franchise opportunities listed above are worth investing in.
It’s important to know that there are a number of fees you must pay to fully avail the benefits and services offered by franchise providers.
FAQ
What Is Haircut Chain Franchise?
A haircut chain franchise is a business model which involves an individual or a group of individuals purchasing the rights to use a nationally recognized brand and its allied products and services in their own salon and enjoy the benefits of the established reputation and marketing efforts of the larger franchise, while the franchise earns ongoing fees and royalty.
How Much Does A Haircut Chain Franchise Cost?
The initial investment to open a haircut chain franchise ranges between $20,000 to $69,500. This fee is usually paid upfront.
However, after adding the franchise fee, the initial cost of opening a franchise can range between $128,975 to $1,636,200.
It is important to carefully consider all the costs before investing your money into a franchise opportunity.
Is Haircut Chain Franchise Profitable?
The haircut salon industry in the U.S. is growing at a tremendous speed, and there are endless franchise opportunities out there.
Proven to be incredibly resilient, the haircut franchise industry has done well even in times of recession.
However, there are certain factors that play a huge role in the profitability of a haircut chain franchise, including marketing technique, competition, and location.
What Is The Haircut Chain Franchise Profit Margin?
The profit margin for a haircut chain franchise depends on various factors like location, franchise brand and etc.
For example– The profit margin of the Great Clips franchise is estimated to be 23% EBITDA.
Which Is The Cheapest Haircut Chain Franchise?
The cheapest haircut chain franchise is Cost Cutters, whose initial investment starts from $29,500 with a royalty fee of 6%.
Amit Gupta is an experienced expert in digital marketing and co-founder of DrFranchises. With more than 11 years of knowledge in franchise digital marketing, SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing, Amit has helped many brands achieve incredible success online. As a passionate entrepreneur and owner of 7 franchises, he continues to study franchise models, looking at costs, revenue, and profitability to guide brands toward profitable growth. When he’s not working on digital marketing, Amit enjoys spending time playing with his beloved dog.