Multi-Unit Franchisee Expands Pigtails & Crewcuts in Greenville, South Carolina, Building a Legacy in the Children’s Industry

After raising five kids and running her own Pilates studio, Caroline Dover was ready for a new challenge. Inspired by a desire to find a business that combined structure, creativity and community impact, she brought Pigtails & Crewcuts, the kids’ hair salon franchise, to Greenville, South Carolina, in 2016. Today, Dover owns two locations and is finalizing plans for a third salon.

For Dover, Pigtails & Crewcuts is a way to bring joy to families while building a profitable, sustainable venture. With a proven business model, strong franchise support and an industry that’s nearly recession-proof, Dover has found her niche in franchising and is thriving.

1851 spoke with Dover to learn more about her background, why she originally chose Pigtails & Crewcuts and her plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Caroline Dover: I stayed home and raised my five kids for 30 years, and when they got older, I became a tutor. But what was I going to do after my kids were grown? I eventually opened my own Pilates studio while my two youngest boys were in high school. But I was used to complete chaos, so one business wasn’t enough!

Suddenly, franchising came onto my radar as I started seeing friends open businesses. That’s when I began looking into different concepts.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Dover: Franchising is like a business in a box. When I started my Pilates studio, it was all on my own — there was no one to guide me. With franchising, the structure is already there.

At first, I wasn’t sure what type of franchise I wanted and I knew I wasn’t willing to do food. Then, one of my Pilates students said, “We need a children’s hair salon here.” I started researching the concept, and I realized this could really work in Greenville.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Dover: The more I researched, the more Pigtails & Crewcuts stood out. I have one daughter; when she was younger, she went through a “pink plastic Barbie” phase and I was so happy when she grew out of it. Pigtails & Crewcuts felt completely different. It’s like the American Girl of children’s hair salons. Everything else I looked at in the industry felt cheap and gimmicky.

The leadership team was another big factor. They’ve stood the test of time. They’re never distant and are always there to help you. The children’s industry is also recession-proof — people will always invest in their kids.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Dover: Any new business has a slow ramp-up, but as it began to take off, I knew I wanted to open two locations. Now we’ve expanded to two, and I’m also an Area Representative in Raleigh.

We made it through COVID and my two locations are stronger than ever. I’m in lease negotiations now for my third store and we’re just days away from getting it finalized. We also helped sell and set up a location in the Raleigh area.

This is really a great business model. I was looking to build an empire and this is a fantastic way to do it. It’s fun, challenging and interesting — it’s never boring. Plus, it’s a good investment. It’s profitable and will be easy to sell when I’m ready to retire.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Dover: Pigtails & Crewcuts is in a sweet spot. It’s not too new, but it’s also not oversaturated. That’s still true today. We have more locations now, but we’re not so big that you can’t connect with the leadership team.

The community among owners is also incredible. We have a private Facebook group and everyone gets together to support each other. That’s what you should look for in a franchise — you don’t want to feel like you’re out there on your own.

About Pigtails & Crewcuts: 

Pigtails & Crewcuts is a kid’s hair salon franchise designed with family in mind. Franchising since 2005, it has become a premier destination for children’s hairstyling and a stress-free experience for parents. Pigtails & Crewcuts provides a range of hair care services for boys and girls aged zero to 12, and offers a custom line of child-friendly hair products, hair accessories, toys, and gifts. Each salon is a fun, engaging space where children can feel comfortable and enjoy their haircuts, complete with activities, event areas and a family-friendly atmosphere. With over 80 locations across more than 20 states, Pigtails & Crewcuts is continuously expanding and establishing itself as a leading franchise in the growing niche market of children’s hair care. To learn more about Pigtails & Crewcuts or to find a salon near you, please visit www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Pigtails & Crewcuts, please visit www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com.