Emerging Beauty Franchises That Should Be on Your Radar

The beauty industry has taken off in franchising, with the number of salons, barbershops and cosmetic centers increasing each year. In a world where self-care is starting to be seen as more of a necessity than a luxury, businesses that offer these services are seeing growing customer bases as well as expanded interest among franchise candidates. 

Investing in a beauty franchise offers many perks, including a loyal, recurring customer base, flexible work-life balance, brand recognition and proven strategies for marketing and advertising. The concept also brings in attractive streams of revenue. Demand for the beauty service industry is expected to be valued at $62 billion this year, according to IBISWorld. And Franchise Direct reports that spending is rising for all segments of the beauty sector: hair salons up 2.4%, waxing and nail salons up 6.9% and tanning salons up 5.2%. 

Here are some of the top franchise brands that have emerged in the beauty category over the last decade or so:

Heyday

• Start-up costs: $574K - $756K
• Unit count: 10
• 1851 News Room

Heyday is a fast-growing skin care company aiming to provide expert skincare that empowers everyone to be their best selves. With a fleet of 10 industry-leading stores in New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia and plans to open 300-plus shops over the next five years, Heyday is setting out to make the facial experience more accessible through the care of talented estheticians. Heyday is changing how we take care of our skin and redefining the future of the skincare industry for the modern consumer in a way like no other brand is doing.

Amazing Lash Studio 

• Start-up costs:  $238K - $518K
• Unit count: 258
• 1851 News Room 

Started in 2010, Amazing Lash Studio began franchising in 2013 and has grown to over 250 locations across the United States. The spa-like concept allows clients to get their eyelashes done in technicians’ personalized rooms. The brand offers franchisees many recurring revenue streams, including a full menu of lash services, a training program for Lash Stylists and walk-in business.

Nikita Hair 

• Start-up costs: $162K - $269K
• Unit count: 150-plus
• 1851 News Room

Nikita Hair is a long-standing successful hair salon franchise out of Europe that recently started expanding to the United States, with locations now open in Frisco, Texas; Mason, Ohio; and Charleston, South Carolina. The company has been around since 1984, when it was founded by Inger Ellen Nicolaisen, but began franchising in 2014. Nikita Hair is well known for employing over 1,000 highly skilled hairdressers who work hard daily to transform the looks of millions of happy clients. 

Waxing the City

• Start-up costs: $204K - $450K
• Unit count: 115

Founded in 2003, Waxing the City expanded into franchising in 2010 and now has a triple-digit number of salons open across the country. The brand offers franchisees a recurring source of revenue from clients who need continual waxing services, those who sign up for the company’s Club Orange subscription and the exclusive products they offer. Waxing the City has been ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 multiple times in recent years.

BodyBrite

• Start-up costs: $114K - $178K
• Unit count: 202-plus

BodyBrite is a med-spa concept that has been franchising since 2012 and has grown to over 200 locations in seven countries. The brand’s centers offer laser hair removal, anti-aging and skin rejuvenation services for customers at a cost-effective price point. BodyBrite’s business model is easy and efficient to manage, with low overhead and attractive possibilities for profitability. Franchise candidates do not need to have any prior spa experience to become an owner, as the company has extensive training. 

Drybar

• Start-up costs: $605K - $1.3M
• Unit count: 139

Drybar is a salon concept specializing in blow drying that began franchising in 2012. The business has grown quickly, seeing an over 30% increase in units over the last three years as more franchise owners see the potential in the multi-billion-dollar beauty industry. Prospective franchisee candidates do not need any prior salon experience and can enjoy revenue streams from blow dry appointments, the membership-based model and the company’s specialized line of products. 

Sugaring NYC 

• Start-up costs: $119K - $201K
• Unit count: 75

This sugar hair removal concept started franchising in 2017 and now has more than 70 locations owned by its network of successful franchisees. The organic waxing business, which has been growing at a rate of more than 7% over five years and has a 35% to 40% profit margin, provides a significant revenue opportunity for entrepreneurs. The brand’s average gross sales of $500,000 to $1 million per location.