Franchisor Stories

Diesel Barbershop Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A concept where owners can open a modern “man-cave” barbershop delivering premium men’s grooming experiences.

Franchisor Stories

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A concept where owners can open a modern “man-cave” barbershop delivering premium men’s grooming experiences.

Diesel Barbershop is a fast-growing men’s grooming franchise designed to recreate the classic neighborhood barbershop experience with a modern twist. The brand combines barbering, hair care, and grooming services in a high-energy “man cave” environment featuring music, entertainment and modern design. With more than 30 locations across the United States, Diesel Barbershop offers franchise investors the opportunity to enter the expanding men’s grooming sector with a scalable retail service model.
Diesel Barbershop got its start in 2011 in San Antonio, Texas. The brand opened the first shop there, aiming to give the traditional barbershop a modern makeover. Then, in 2017, the team decided to share the concept and launched the franchise system through Diesel Barbershop Franchising, LLC, which is also based in San Antonio.
Franchisees operate retail barbershops offering haircutting, beard trimming, coloring and other grooming services delivered by licensed barbers and stylists within a proprietary operating system and brand environment.
Mission: To deliver a high-quality men’s grooming experience that combines classic barbershop culture with modern style, comfort and service.
Vision: To become the go-to destination for men seeking premium haircuts and grooming in a welcoming, entertainment-driven environment.
When you become a franchisee, you gain access to a complete roadmap for launching and growing a successful grooming business. The brand has already done the heavy lifting, providing a proven concept with modern branding. You'll get hands-on support with everything from picking the perfect spot and reviewing the lease to an exclusive operating system and comprehensive training to get you started.
Diesel Barbershop has availability in most states. See specific available territories at the brand’s website here. 
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Diesel Barbershop franchise ranges from $360,550 to $503,050. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Technology Fees (11 Months) | $3,300 | $3,300 |
| Architectural Fees | $8,500 | $10,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $129,000 | $214,000 |
| Deposits, Insurance, Rent | $8,000 | $10,000 |
| Equipment, Furniture, Fixtures & Signage | $95,000 | $125,000 |
| Computer System & AV Package | $20,000 | $37,000 |
| POS System (3 Months) | $750 | $750 |
| Initial Barber Supplies & Inventory | $16,000 | $21,000 |
| Initial Marketing Spend | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Legal Fees | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Training Travel Expenses | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for a Diesel Barbershop location is $45,000, due upon signing the franchise agreement.
Diesel Barbershop participates in the VetFran program, offering a 10% discount on the initial franchise fee for qualified military veterans.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Diesel Barbershop franchisees are responsible for the following recurring costs and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 7.5% of gross sales/week |
| Brand Development Fund | 1% of gross sales/week |
| Technology Fee | $300/month |
| POS System Fee | $250/month plus SMS fees |
| Bookkeeping Service | $275/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 26 Diesel Barbershop locations operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross revenue:
| Tertile | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Top 1/3 (9) | $697,234 | $604,644 | $1,132,157 | $547,115 |
| Middle 1/3 (9) | $336,186 | $328,929 | $475,858 | $284,501 |
| Bottom 1/3 (8) | $209,263 | $207,153 | $272,330 | $149,254 |
Before opening a location, Diesel Barbershop provides:
Franchisees participate in an initial training program covering:
Additional training and refresher sessions may also be provided after opening.
Ongoing support may include:
Franchise owners get access to a standard set of tech tools, like:
Diesel Barbershop does not specify any franchisee requirements with regard to liquid assets or net worth.
Hair care experience is not required. Instead, the franchisor is looking for owners with management and leadership experience who are prepared to follow the Diesel operation system.
Owners usually set up shop in 1,200 to 1,500 square-foot spaces within busy shopping centers. You'll need to hire licensed barbers or stylists, keep the place looking sharp according to brand rules, handle the team's scheduling, make sure customers have a great experience, and manage local advertising. If you find a top-notch manager, you might be able to run things semi-absentee.
Diesel Barbershop does not provide direct financing for franchisees. Investors typically secure funding through banks, SBA loans or third-party lenders.
"My brother and I set out to locate a franchise model that we felt comfortable investing in as a way out of corporate America. We explored 3 options and after taking the first call with each franchisor, I immediately felt comfortable and was drawn toward Diesel Barbershop. I cannot say that about any other franchise opportunities I've reviewed. Of course, the financials looked solid, but it wasn't just a great business model that made me want to invest in Diesel Barbershop. What led me to buy a Diesel Barbershop was the culture, support, and passion of the people around it. It was clear from the start that this was a Team who has significant franchise experience and who are extremely passionate about the industry and what they do. The Diesel Team has thought of every aspect of how to make the process of buying and opening a franchise easy. The level of support is incomparable and I couldn't be happier with our decision."
- Garrett Watkins, Franchisee — Richardson, Texas
"I spent several months shopping dozens of franchise concepts seeking a brand that met the criteria of both my "head" and my "heart". My "head" was looking for a smart, scalable business that had uncapped income potential. I was drawn to Diesel because it was differentiated without being too niche and was part of a category that I knew would hold up well regardless of macroeconomic factors. Whether in a boom or bust economy, guys always need haircuts! I was also really impressed by the financials of the business. With a relatively small footprint that minimizes fixed costs, I believe that Diesel allows for a speed to profitability that I just didn't find with any other businesses."
- Eric Bauer, Multi-Unit Franchisee — North Florida
"I'm very happy with the level of support that I have received, the culture, and brand is great. It has allowed me to put my thumbprint on this area and you know which is super exciting for me. I really enjoy that kind of stuff."
- Bo Maness, Franchisee — Charleston, South Carolina
The U.S. barbershop industry continues to grow steadily as male grooming habits evolve. Industry revenue is projected to reach $4.8 billion in 2026.
Diesel Barbershop competes with both independent barbershops and national grooming chains. Diesel differentiates itself through experiential “man cave” shop design, premium grooming services, strong brand identity and retail product sales and multi-unit growth opportunities for franchisees.
Primary competitors include Great Clips, Supercuts, Sport Clips* and Floyd’s 99 Barbershop.
The typical process includes:
The timeline from inquiry to opening typically ranges 6 to 12 months depending on site development and construction.
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