LAST UPDATED: March 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/
1851 GROWTH CLUB WEBSITE: https://1851franchise.com/growth-club/pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-sale
1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 80
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $130,000 - $283,000
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $324,186 (average gross sales for FY 2024)
Pigtails & Crewcuts is a children's hair salon franchise with a family-friendly approach and a focus on community involvement. The franchise opportunity combines a low-investment, simple business model with a commitment to family values and operational excellence.
Founded in 2003 and franchising since 2005, Pigtails & Crewcuts was created to offer a better haircutting experience for children — one that’s fun and family-friendly. President and CEO Wade Brannon leads the brand with a focus on work-life balance and meaningful community connection. Brannon had a successful career in franchising and had recently retired when he visited a Pigtails & Crewcuts location with his children, who immediately fell in love with the concept. Brannon saw the potential of the brand and ended up coming out of retirement to take over ownership of the brand in 2004.
Mission: To create a salon experience where kids feel special and parents feel at ease.
Vision: To become the top choice for families nationwide seeking quality children’s haircuts in a positive environment.
What makes Pigtails & Crewcuts stand out to families is the overall salon experience. With themed haircutting chairs, engaging games, and retail shelves stocked with hair accessories and toys, the brand offers more than just a trim. It creates a fun and welcoming environment that keeps kids excited to return and helps build lasting relationships with families from toddlerhood through the pre-teen years.
Franchising with Pigtails & Crewcuts means joining a well-established system with the support and training necessary to run a smooth operation. The brand has created a model that’s simple to execute but highly effective, especially for those looking to break into business ownership for the first time. Franchisees benefit from a team of Franchise Support Specialists who assist with everything from site selection to marketing. After the business is up and running, owners can shift into a semi-absentee role if they choose, thanks to strong systems and team-building resources.
Territories are available nationwide, with high-priority markets including Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah. More details can be found at the brand’s franchise development site.
Investment OverviewInitial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Pigtails & Crewcuts franchise ranges from $130,000 to $283,000. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $30,000 |
Leasehold Improvements | $45,500 | $130,000 |
Rent (3 Months) | $7,500 | $18,000 |
Initial Training Fee | $1,250 | $1,250 |
Travel & Living Expenses While Training | $1,250 | $2,500 |
Furnishings, Fixtures, Equipment & Decorating | $18,000 | $38,000 |
Exterior Signage | $1,500 | $11,000 |
Interior Graphics/Signage | $2,000 | $3,000 |
Opening Inventory | $5,000 | $10,000 |
Opening Supplies | $3,000 | $5,000 |
Initial Supply of Marketing & Promotional Materials | $500 | $750 |
Computer Hardware/Software | $3,500 | $4,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: Franchisees must pay a non-refundable initial franchise fee of $30,000, payable in one lump sum when they sign the franchise agreement. The brand does not finance the payment of the initial franchise fee.
For additional salons, franchisees will pay an initial franchise fee for each additional location according to the following formula: the then-current initial franchise fee less $5,000 for the second salon; and the then-current initial franchise fee less $10,000 for the third salon and all additional salons thereafter.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Pigtails & Crewcuts franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross sales/month |
| Advertising Fee | 2% of gross sales/month |
ROI Potential: The following chart comes from the 2025 FDD and represents the average gross sales for 2024 for franchised salons operating all of 2024.
| Franchised Salons | Average | Median | Low | High |
| Gross Sales > $500,000 | $562,847 | $544,123 | $501,165 | $641,538 |
| Gross Sales $350,001 - $500,000 | $391,138 | $382,282 | $352,047 | $484,295 |
| Gross Sales $275,001 - $350,000 | $310,725 | $310,951 | $277,995 | $346,503 |
| Gross Sales $225,000 - $275,000 | $243,941 | $236,816 | $226,410 | $269,401 |
| Gross Sales < $225,000 | $167,279 | $177,411 | $62,566 | $220,011 |
| All Franchised Salons | $324,186 | $310,587 | $62,566 | $641,538 |
New franchisees begin with a comprehensive training program that covers every aspect of the business, from operations to staff management. Training is provided both in-person and online and includes hands-on sessions in the salon environment.
Franchisees are assigned a Franchise Support Specialist to walk them through the entire pre-opening process and beyond. The corporate team helps with lease negotiations, salon design, local marketing plans, hiring and training guidance, and financial planning.
The brand equips franchisees with point-of-sale systems, scheduling platforms and operational dashboards. Marketing resources, including templates for social media, email campaigns and in-salon promotions, are also included.
Candidates must have at least $150,000 in liquid capital and a minimum net worth of $250,000. Previous experience in the salon industry is not required.
Franchisees are expected to be hands-on during the initial months of opening to ensure smooth operations and solid team development. After that, semi-absentee ownership is possible with a strong manager in place.
The brand is listed in the SBA Franchise Directory and has relationships with third-party lenders who are familiar with the model and can help guide financing.
Heather Arnold didn’t expect to find a new career when she took her son into Pigtails & Crewcuts for a haircut, but she did. She found one that let her trade long commutes and mom guilt for more time with her family. Despite opening just before the pandemic, she grew her business through hard work and is now preparing to open a second location. Read her story here.
After 26 years in education, Marie DeFede and her husband were looking for a new opportunity. Being longtime customers of Pigtails & Crewcuts, they had always loved the concept. The chance arose to purchase an existing salon, so they took it. Read their story here.
The haircare industry is estimated to be wroth $64 billion, and $7 billion of that is spent on children's haircare. Pigtails & Crewcuts estimates there are over 11 million potential customers in its market, each receiving an average of seven haircuts per year.
While there are local salons and a few national kids’ salon chains such as Snip-its and Cookie Cutters, Pigtails & Crewcuts has the advantage of strong brand recognition, franchisee support, and a clear emphasis on customer experience. Its combination of salon services, retail offerings and party packages makes it a well-rounded destination for families.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
| Pigtails & Crewcuts Experts Investment Range | $159,500 - $384,600 |
| No. of Units Currently Open | 80 |
| No. of Units Expected to Open this Year | 12 |
| Franchise Fee | $45,000 |
| Royalty(%) | 5% |
Pigtails & Crewcuts
SPONSORED
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: This family-friendly salon sets itself apart with its low-investment, work-life balance and fun environment for children.
LAST UPDATED: March 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/
1851 GROWTH CLUB WEBSITE: https://1851franchise.com/growth-club/pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-sale
1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 80
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $130,000 - $283,000
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $324,186 (average gross sales for FY 2024)
Pigtails & Crewcuts is a children's hair salon franchise with a family-friendly approach and a focus on community involvement. The franchise opportunity combines a low-investment, simple business model with a commitment to family values and operational excellence.
Founded in 2003 and franchising since 2005, Pigtails & Crewcuts was created to offer a better haircutting experience for children — one that’s fun and family-friendly. President and CEO Wade Brannon leads the brand with a focus on work-life balance and meaningful community connection. Brannon had a successful career in franchising and had recently retired when he visited a Pigtails & Crewcuts location with his children, who immediately fell in love with the concept. Brannon saw the potential of the brand and ended up coming out of retirement to take over ownership of the brand in 2004.
Mission: To create a salon experience where kids feel special and parents feel at ease.
Vision: To become the top choice for families nationwide seeking quality children’s haircuts in a positive environment.
What makes Pigtails & Crewcuts stand out to families is the overall salon experience. With themed haircutting chairs, engaging games, and retail shelves stocked with hair accessories and toys, the brand offers more than just a trim. It creates a fun and welcoming environment that keeps kids excited to return and helps build lasting relationships with families from toddlerhood through the pre-teen years.
Franchising with Pigtails & Crewcuts means joining a well-established system with the support and training necessary to run a smooth operation. The brand has created a model that’s simple to execute but highly effective, especially for those looking to break into business ownership for the first time. Franchisees benefit from a team of Franchise Support Specialists who assist with everything from site selection to marketing. After the business is up and running, owners can shift into a semi-absentee role if they choose, thanks to strong systems and team-building resources.
Territories are available nationwide, with high-priority markets including Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah. More details can be found at the brand’s franchise development site.
Investment OverviewInitial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Pigtails & Crewcuts franchise ranges from $130,000 to $283,000. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $30,000 |
Leasehold Improvements | $45,500 | $130,000 |
Rent (3 Months) | $7,500 | $18,000 |
Initial Training Fee | $1,250 | $1,250 |
Travel & Living Expenses While Training | $1,250 | $2,500 |
Furnishings, Fixtures, Equipment & Decorating | $18,000 | $38,000 |
Exterior Signage | $1,500 | $11,000 |
Interior Graphics/Signage | $2,000 | $3,000 |
Opening Inventory | $5,000 | $10,000 |
Opening Supplies | $3,000 | $5,000 |
Initial Supply of Marketing & Promotional Materials | $500 | $750 |
Computer Hardware/Software | $3,500 | $4,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: Franchisees must pay a non-refundable initial franchise fee of $30,000, payable in one lump sum when they sign the franchise agreement. The brand does not finance the payment of the initial franchise fee.
For additional salons, franchisees will pay an initial franchise fee for each additional location according to the following formula: the then-current initial franchise fee less $5,000 for the second salon; and the then-current initial franchise fee less $10,000 for the third salon and all additional salons thereafter.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Pigtails & Crewcuts franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross sales/month |
| Advertising Fee | 2% of gross sales/month |
ROI Potential: The following chart comes from the 2025 FDD and represents the average gross sales for 2024 for franchised salons operating all of 2024.
| Franchised Salons | Average | Median | Low | High |
| Gross Sales > $500,000 | $562,847 | $544,123 | $501,165 | $641,538 |
| Gross Sales $350,001 - $500,000 | $391,138 | $382,282 | $352,047 | $484,295 |
| Gross Sales $275,001 - $350,000 | $310,725 | $310,951 | $277,995 | $346,503 |
| Gross Sales $225,000 - $275,000 | $243,941 | $236,816 | $226,410 | $269,401 |
| Gross Sales < $225,000 | $167,279 | $177,411 | $62,566 | $220,011 |
| All Franchised Salons | $324,186 | $310,587 | $62,566 | $641,538 |
New franchisees begin with a comprehensive training program that covers every aspect of the business, from operations to staff management. Training is provided both in-person and online and includes hands-on sessions in the salon environment.
Franchisees are assigned a Franchise Support Specialist to walk them through the entire pre-opening process and beyond. The corporate team helps with lease negotiations, salon design, local marketing plans, hiring and training guidance, and financial planning.
The brand equips franchisees with point-of-sale systems, scheduling platforms and operational dashboards. Marketing resources, including templates for social media, email campaigns and in-salon promotions, are also included.
Candidates must have at least $150,000 in liquid capital and a minimum net worth of $250,000. Previous experience in the salon industry is not required.
Franchisees are expected to be hands-on during the initial months of opening to ensure smooth operations and solid team development. After that, semi-absentee ownership is possible with a strong manager in place.
The brand is listed in the SBA Franchise Directory and has relationships with third-party lenders who are familiar with the model and can help guide financing.
Heather Arnold didn’t expect to find a new career when she took her son into Pigtails & Crewcuts for a haircut, but she did. She found one that let her trade long commutes and mom guilt for more time with her family. Despite opening just before the pandemic, she grew her business through hard work and is now preparing to open a second location. Read her story here.
After 26 years in education, Marie DeFede and her husband were looking for a new opportunity. Being longtime customers of Pigtails & Crewcuts, they had always loved the concept. The chance arose to purchase an existing salon, so they took it. Read their story here.
The haircare industry is estimated to be wroth $64 billion, and $7 billion of that is spent on children's haircare. Pigtails & Crewcuts estimates there are over 11 million potential customers in its market, each receiving an average of seven haircuts per year.
While there are local salons and a few national kids’ salon chains such as Snip-its and Cookie Cutters, Pigtails & Crewcuts has the advantage of strong brand recognition, franchisee support, and a clear emphasis on customer experience. Its combination of salon services, retail offerings and party packages makes it a well-rounded destination for families.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
| Pigtails & Crewcuts Experts Investment Range | $159,500 - $384,600 |
| No. of Units Currently Open | 80 |
| No. of Units Expected to Open this Year | 12 |
| Franchise Fee | $45,000 |
| Royalty(%) | 5% |
| Pigtails & Crewcuts Experts Investment Range | $159,500 - $384,600 |
| No. of Units Currently Open | 80 |
| No. of Units Expected to Open this Year | 12 |
| Franchise Fee | $45,000 |
| Royalty(%) | 5% |
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