1851

Before signing on the dotted line to become a franchisee, it is critical to understand the ins and outs of the brand’s franchise disclosure document (FDD). According to the<a href="https://www.franchise.org/faqs/what-information-does-a-franchise-disclosure-document-fdd-contain?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=tips-for-potential-great-clips-franchise-owners-to-navigate-the-franchise-disclosure-document-fdd-2719708" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;International Franchise Association</a>, the FDD is a document including “23 Items to provide prospective franchisees with information about the franchisor and the franchise system so that they can make an informed decision about signing the franchise agreement.” And while this document may seem overwhelming at first,&nbsp;Beth Nilssen, director of franchise development at Great Clips, Inc., advises potential franchisees to simply break the document down by each Item to understand the foundational elements of the business better before you say “yes” to the brand.“Once you start digging into the FDD, it’s not as overwhelming as it may feel at first glance,” assured Nilssen. “Also, the franchise development contact should be there to assist you during the FDD review to guide you through the document and make sure you understand what is important about each section.”Each Item of the FDD Helps Tell a Brand’s Story&nbsp;Each Item of a franchise brand’s FDD holds a wealth of information for a potential franchisee to learn whether or not that brand is the best choice for them. Nilssen explains that this is why, as a person starts to get more comfortable with reading these documents, they will see which brands truly stand out for reasons such as lack of corporate bankruptcies, affordable training fees, longevity, and experience within the executive team.For example, with Great Clips, Nilssen states that the brand’s FDD helps show how the company lives its vision statement of “working together to build the most profitable salons by delivering the most powerful and enduring brand.” And as prospective franchisees read through the brand’s FDD, they can get a clear picture of their role as a franchisee, along with how much support is behind them every step of the way.&nbsp;&nbsp;While the entire FDD is important to review (especially things like the company’s recent litigation and/or bankruptcy history), Nilssen points out that even some of what might seem like basic background information can tell a potential franchisee a great deal about the brand’s history and should not be overlooked.&nbsp;“Item 2 talks about key personnel and leadership within the company. This item can tell a franchisee a lot,” said Nilssen. “For example, you’ll see if the company is public or private, how much franchising experience the leadership team has and if the company sees patterns of high turnover or longevity. That can tell you a lot about a company’s culture if you’re paying attention.”&nbsp;Other sections of the FDD contain initial fees and ongoing fees. Nilssen says these sections are critical to a potential franchisee’s understanding of the investment required. Prospects will learn how much the franchise will cost them and can review the fees and understand them before signing a franchise agreement with the brand.&nbsp;Nilssen also stresses the importance of potential franchisees conducting their own research through existing franchisees to validate whether the support they are getting from corporate is a good value for the royalties and other fees that they will be paying.&nbsp;&nbsp;“You want to understand things like training fees and advertising fees and how those advertising fees are used. Do franchisees have a say in how they are spent? A prospective franchisee will gain insight into how the relationship between franchisee and franchisor operates. Is this a relationship that values franchisee input and working together? Or does corporate make all the decisions and communicate that out?”Many brands also have financing options or assistance for prospective franchisees. For Great Clips specifically, Nilssen states that while the brand does not offer any in-house financing, the brand does have long-term vendor relationships that they connect their franchisees with during their research process.&nbsp;“The FDD review should not be a daunting process for potential franchisees,” said Nilssen. “It should be a mutually beneficial process for both the brand and the prospective franchisee, where the franchisee learns the ins and outs of the brand and can come away from the document feeling knowledgeable and educated on the foundational elements of franchising with the company.”The total investment to open a Great Clips salon ranges from $178,400- $376,900. For more information, visi<a href="https://www.greatclipsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=tips-for-potential-great-clips-franchise-owners-to-navigate-the-franchise-disclosure-document-fdd-2719708" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">t https://www.greatclipsfranchise.com</a>/.

Tips for Potential Great Clips Franchise Owners to Navigate the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

1851 Franchise

Great Clips, Inc.’s director of franchise development Beth Nilssen knows the FDD can be an intimidating document, so she recommends that potential franchisees break it down by item to gain meaningful insights. 


This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

tips-for-potential-great-clips-franchise-owners-to-navigate-the-franchise-disclosure-document-fdd

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

From Franchisee to Franchisor: How Howard Picker Is Using His Experience to Drive Sustainable Growth at Floyd’s 99

howard-picker-floyds-99-barbershop-franchise-franchisor-hot-seat

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Tips for Potential Great Clips Franchise Owners to Navigate the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS