SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Following a year of aggressive expansion and consistent innovation, luxury salon suites franchise IMAGE Studios is closing the year with 35 new locations opened and 50 units awarded. This recent growth has solidified its footprint nationwide, making it operational in 28 states and forging a path to a presence in 36 states by the end of next year.
“At the beginning of the year, we opened our 100th unit, and this year, we’ve sold 50 units. It’s impressive when put into perspective like that,” said Lizzie Webb, vice president of operations. “We’ve had some real national growth this year, and we’ll continue to push into next year.”
This year, IMAGE Studios entered several new markets, including Minnesota, Arkansas, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Washington and Nebraska, and it strengthened its presence in the Chicago market. Franchise growth remained strong in Florida and California, particularly in the Los Angeles market, while the East Coast saw new units awarded in Virginia, Connecticut, Maryland and New York.
This growth is supported by a data-driven approach to site selection. IMAGE Studios continues to focus on awarding units in markets known for entrepreneurial culture and diversity, like Atlanta and Houston.
As the industry shifts, IMAGE Studios is also consistently evolving, both within its salon suites locations and beyond.
“We’re seeing the continued development of aesthetics within salon suites,” Webb said. “Ten years ago, about 90 percent of our professionals were hairstylists. Now, about 60 percent of our pros are hairstylists. People are investing more in wellness treatments like cryotherapy and weight loss injections and medspa-type treatments like Botox and filler, and we’re seeing that evolution in our spaces, too.”
To support the rapidly growing network of owners and beauty professionals, IMAGE Studios has made significant investments in technology, including an internal AI chatbot, IMAGE After Dark, which assists owners in anything they need at any time of day, and Sally, an external chatbot that improves the inquiry and leasing experience for prospective tenants.
Heading into 2026, Webb says IMAGE Studios looks forward to growing to over 170 units, launching its IMAGE Icons program to recognize standout professionals nationwide and opening flagship locations in key markets.
“We’re doing some amazing stuff,” she said. “Pros are expanding with us and growing to house their businesses in multiple IMAGE locations, which is very exciting for us.”
ABOUT IMAGE STUDIOS
IMAGE Studios® is an exclusive salon suite that provides modern, high-end salon studios at affordable rates to salon professionals. Our core values of creativity, freedom and success are the driving forces that empower us collectively and embody all that we do as professionals in this industry. We strive to improve the communities we live in with the creation, support and growth of independent franchisees across the country.
Image Studios
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With new locations opening nationwide and growing momentum in key markets like Atlanta and Houston, the luxury salon suites franchise closes out the year with a strong foundation for 2026 growth.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Following a year of aggressive expansion and consistent innovation, luxury salon suites franchise IMAGE Studios is closing the year with 35 new locations opened and 50 units awarded. This recent growth has solidified its footprint nationwide, making it operational in 28 states and forging a path to a presence in 36 states by the end of next year.
“At the beginning of the year, we opened our 100th unit, and this year, we’ve sold 50 units. It’s impressive when put into perspective like that,” said Lizzie Webb, vice president of operations. “We’ve had some real national growth this year, and we’ll continue to push into next year.”
This year, IMAGE Studios entered several new markets, including Minnesota, Arkansas, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Washington and Nebraska, and it strengthened its presence in the Chicago market. Franchise growth remained strong in Florida and California, particularly in the Los Angeles market, while the East Coast saw new units awarded in Virginia, Connecticut, Maryland and New York.
This growth is supported by a data-driven approach to site selection. IMAGE Studios continues to focus on awarding units in markets known for entrepreneurial culture and diversity, like Atlanta and Houston.
As the industry shifts, IMAGE Studios is also consistently evolving, both within its salon suites locations and beyond.
“We’re seeing the continued development of aesthetics within salon suites,” Webb said. “Ten years ago, about 90 percent of our professionals were hairstylists. Now, about 60 percent of our pros are hairstylists. People are investing more in wellness treatments like cryotherapy and weight loss injections and medspa-type treatments like Botox and filler, and we’re seeing that evolution in our spaces, too.”
To support the rapidly growing network of owners and beauty professionals, IMAGE Studios has made significant investments in technology, including an internal AI chatbot, IMAGE After Dark, which assists owners in anything they need at any time of day, and Sally, an external chatbot that improves the inquiry and leasing experience for prospective tenants.
Heading into 2026, Webb says IMAGE Studios looks forward to growing to over 170 units, launching its IMAGE Icons program to recognize standout professionals nationwide and opening flagship locations in key markets.
“We’re doing some amazing stuff,” she said. “Pros are expanding with us and growing to house their businesses in multiple IMAGE locations, which is very exciting for us.”
ABOUT IMAGE STUDIOS
IMAGE Studios® is an exclusive salon suite that provides modern, high-end salon studios at affordable rates to salon professionals. Our core values of creativity, freedom and success are the driving forces that empower us collectively and embody all that we do as professionals in this industry. We strive to improve the communities we live in with the creation, support and growth of independent franchisees across the country.
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