Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Snip-its is a children’s hair salon franchise that prioritizes a fun and memorable experience for young customers and a successful business model for franchisees.
Snip-its is a children’s hair salon franchise built around creating a fun, memorable haircut experience designed specifically for kids. Founded in 1995, the brand pioneered the concept of turning a routine haircut into an interactive adventure for children while providing parents with a trusted place for regular hair care services. Today, Snip-its has delivered millions of haircuts and continues to expand nationwide as demand grows for kid-focused salon services.
Snip-its was founded in 1995 to provide a specialized haircut experience designed specifically for children. The concept focuses on creating an environment where kids feel comfortable and excited about getting a haircut, transforming what can be a stressful experience into a fun and memorable event.
Mission: To deliver a safe, welcoming and fun haircut experience designed specifically for children.
Vision: To be the most trusted children’s hair salon brand where families bring their kids for their first haircut and every haircut thereafter.
Snip-its has available territories across most of the United States with the exception of North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska and Hawaii.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Snip-its franchise ranges from $200,470 to $360,825. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Security Deposit & Rent | $7,500 | $20,000 |
| Staff Recruiting | $500 | $3,500 |
| Initial Training | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Staff Wages During Training | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| Construction Project Management | $0 | $27,500 |
| Base Construction & Leasehold Improvements | $47,975 | $100,775 |
| Millwork | $35,200 | $52,000 |
| “Snipification” of Salon | $20,700 | $23,100 |
| Computer Hardware/POS System | $2,600 | $4,000 |
| POS Software System Fee | $165 | $250 |
| Exterior Signage | $4,300 | $6,450 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment & Decor | $8,300 | $10,000 |
| Audio Visual Equipment | $2,000 | $2,900 |
| Proprietary Products | $1,830 | $3,225 |
| Other Initial Inventory & Salon Supplies | $3,550 | $7,525 |
| Shipping | $4,900 | $14,000 |
| Insurance | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Professional Fees | $500 | $6,500 |
| Grand Opening Program | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $5,450 | $20,600 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for a Snip-its salon is $35,000 for a single-unit franchise. Multi-unit options are available, including $75,000 for up to three locations, $100,000 for up to five locations, and $100,000 plus $10,000 per additional salon beyond five for larger development agreements, with a $3,500 discount available for qualified military veterans.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Snip-its franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 5-6% of gross sales/two weeks |
| Marketing Fund | 1.5% of gross sales/two weeks |
| Local and Regional Advertising Cooperatives | Between 1-2% of gross sales/two weeks |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 40 franchises operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross annual sales:
| Quartile | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Top 1/4 (10) | $397,258 | $400,263 | $451,725 | $316,140 |
| Second 1/4 (10) | $285,605 | $285,539 | $314,856 | $257,541 |
| Third 1/4 (10) | $231,305 | $235,837 | $244,064 | $212,405 |
| Bottom 1/4 (10) | $169,744 | $174,609 | $204,750 | $86,751 |
| Total (40) | $270,978 | $250,803 | $451,725 | $86,751 |
Snip-its provides franchisees with extensive pre-opening support to help them launch their salon successfully. This includes assistance with site selection, build-out guidance, staffing recruitment strategies and marketing preparation ahead of the grand opening.
Franchise owners participate in in-person training that covers the entire Snip-its operating model. Training includes marketing execution, stylist recruitment, customer experience standards and day-to-day business management.
Snip-its provides ongoing operational support to help franchisees manage and grow their business. This includes marketing planning, community engagement strategies and access to experienced support staff who assist with operational questions and problem solving.
Franchisees receive access to a point-of-sale system and other operational tools that help manage appointments, customer service and day-to-day operations within the salon.
The brand looks for entrepreneurs who are strong leaders and capable of building teams of talented stylists and salon managers. Previous hair care experience is not required.
Snip-its franchise owners focus on building strong teams, maintaining an exceptional customer experience and growing their business. Owners are responsible for hiring and managing stylists while developing relationships within their local communities.
Snip-its does not offer direct financing. However, the company provides information on potential franchise financing options to help prospective owners explore available funding resources.
“I always tell people how incredibly lucky I am to be a part of this business. I’m in my seventh store now, and every time I open another one, people ask me how I’m able to do it. The secret to growing is building a team of people who are talented and loyal. I have incredible managers of my stores, and I have an incredible regional manager. They make it easy for me to focus on growing. I love this business because working with kids is so special. We create this environment where kids feel safe, where they can have fun, and where their parents can feel safe, too. It’s such a rewarding feeling to be a part of.”
- Jill Raedels, Multi-Unit Franchisee — North Carolina, South Carolina and Massachusetts
“I came across Snip-its as a customer several years ago. At the time, I had three small boys, and I was looking for a place where they could get their first haircuts. We went to a Snip-its that I actually own now. I fell in love with the concept and the experience, and I decided to become an owner. This is a business that makes my heart feel good – as I know, as a parent, how important it is to choose the right place for your child to get their haircut. Parents take their kids to us and for 20-30 minutes, they are happy, their kids are happy, and we get to deliver a great experience. What is better than that?”
- Jason Porter, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Texas
The U.S. hair salon industry was valued at $160.2 billion in 2024, and is estimated to reach $233.3 billion by 2034. Due to the repeatable nature of the business, salons benefit from returning customers.
Snip-its differentiates itself by delivering a fully immersive haircut experience designed specifically for children. Primary competitors in the children’s hair salon sector include Pigtails & Crewcuts, Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids and Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids.
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