Why 2022 Is the Perfect Time to Open a Great Clips Franchise

In November 2021, a record 4.5 million working professionals quit their jobs, continuing an ongoing trend now dubbed the “Great Resignation.” Those millions of skilled workers are not all retiring, of course; the vast majority of them are seeking opportunities to work for themselves and take control over their careers after two years of professional turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For those with an aptitude for business management, the Great Clips franchise opportunities represent a potentially lucrative path forward. 

The hair care brand has grown rapidly in its decades of franchising, thanks in large part to its prioritization of support for franchise owners, allowing passionate franchisees to hit the ground running and grow quickly regardless of their level of experience in the hair care industry.

“Our franchisees have an incredible level of support throughout their entire careers with Great Clips,” said Beth Nilssen, director of franchise development. “That’s something that we have always prioritized as a brand. We know that we are only as strong as our weakest franchisee, so we do everything possible to ensure their success.”

That support begins during the evaluation process, before a franchisee candidate even signs on with the brand, when Great Clips’ corporate team works closely with candidates to answer all of their questions to ensure the opportunity is the right fit. From there, Great Clips’ corporate team provides hands-on support throughout the training process, grand opening, recruiting and hiring, and ongoing help with operations, marketing and facilities.

But Great Clips franchisees benefit from an even greater level of support than that provided by the brand’s corporate team. To ensure franchisees have access to every resource and best practice implemented across the franchise system, the brand leverages its biggest asset: a network of more than 1,200 franchise owners.

“We have an amazing franchise system with some of the smartest and most talented owners and investors in the industry, so it only makes sense to connect them,” said Nilssen. “If a franchise owner runs into a problem, there are more than a thousand other owners who have likely run into the same issue and can offer their advice. It really is the definition of working for yourself but not by yourself.”

That cross-franchisee support has been crucial throughout the pandemic, particularly when stores were forced to close in markets across the country. 

“Coming up with local solutions and knowing you’re not alone really made a big difference,” said Jim Petrowich, a multi-unit Great Clips owner in Chicago. “Everyone seemed to have an area of expertise and resourcefulness they could share — someone found masks, another found hand sanitizer — so we were really able to support each other for a whole year by sharing information."

Beyond support, Great Clips offers a range of other benefits that make it one of the stronger franchise investments for 2022. For one, the brand has proven recession-resistant, a key factor in a turbulent economy. Because while the consumer landscape may be unpredictable, people will always need haircuts. 

And despite its massive franchisee network, Great Clips still has substantial whitespace in lucrative markets across the country, giving new and existing franchisees the opportunity to meet existing demand in their home communities or elsewhere.

“Great Clips has always been one of the best investment opportunities in franchising, but in 2022, the benefits of our model have really crystalized for a whole new pool of prospective owners,” Nilssen said. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with talented and experienced professionals as they chart new paths forward for their careers.”

The total investment to open a Great Clips salon ranges from $146,750 to $302,400. For more information, visit https://www.greatclipsfranchise.com/.