Pigtails & Crewcuts

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-arnold-9986561a2/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Heather Arnold</a> walked into a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> salon looking for a place to get her son’s hair cut, she had no idea she was about to find her next career. After more than a decade in the corporate world, commuting long hours and struggling with mom guilt, she knew she wanted something different — something that gave her more time with her family while still allowing her to build a successful future.In early 2020, Arnold and her husband opened their first&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> location in&nbsp;<a href="https://book.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/103460/home?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Clermont, Florida</a>. Just weeks later, everything shut down. Then, in May, right before they were able to reopen, she gave birth to their second child. Juggling a newborn, a toddler and a new business in the middle of a pandemic wasn’t easy, but Arnold pushed through. She used the downtime to strengthen her team, focus on operations and set herself up for long-term success. Now, four years later, she’s preparing to open her second location in Davenport, proving that resilience, the right support system and a passion for what you do can turn even the toughest challenges into a thriving business.1851 Franchise spoke to Arnold about her franchise journey and plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Heather Arnold:&nbsp;Many years ago, I worked in corporate for an energy company as a mid-level manager. My office was about an hour away, so my commute was long — an hour there, an hour back. I did that for over a decade, about 12 years.When my husband and I started a family, I struggled with mom guilt. I had to put my son in day care at just 3 1/2 months old and return to work. Because of my commute, I missed the mornings with him, and by the time I got home, he was ready for bed. I wanted more flexibility, but my company didn’t offer remote work options. So, I decided to leave.At the same time, my husband and I started discussing business ownership. We wanted something structured — franchising seemed like a safe entry point since neither of us had experience running a business from scratch.Fast forward about a year. My little one needed a haircut. I Googled a place and found Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts. We went in, and I noticed a sign about franchise opportunities. That got the wheels turning. We reached out to [Vice President of Franchise Development]&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-holliman-2132313/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michelle [Holliman]</a>, [Franchise Development Coordinator]&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-swanson-ab4a3a143/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hannah [Swanson]</a> and others at the corporate office. We loved what we heard and decided to move forward.1851: When did you open your Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts salon?&nbsp;Arnold:&nbsp;We’re opening our second location now. Our first location, in Clermont, Florida, opened in February 2020. We had to close in March but were able to reopen in May 2020.To make things even more interesting, we opened three days before I had my second child, so I couldn’t even be there for the reopening. It was a wild time.Now, we’re about to open our second location in Davenport, Florida, which is set to open this summer.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?Arnold:&nbsp;I didn’t have a lot of information about franchising before we started considering other options. I knew I didn’t want to stay in the corporate world — I didn’t want to be locked into an eight-to-five or nine-to-five job anymore. I was ready to try something new, but I didn’t know much about franchising. I just thought it might be an easier starting point than opening a business from scratch and hoping it succeeded.We worked with a franchise broker for a few months, well before I left my corporate job. That process helped us understand more about franchising — things like costs and what you get out of it. We didn’t find the right fit through that method, but it gave us some foundational knowledge. It wasn’t until we started talking to Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts that I really understood how involved they were and what kind of support they provided. That level of support was a major reason we decided to move forward with them.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Arnold: I’ve always loved children. I was an education major before switching to business in college, and I worked in preschools and babysat for years. My corporate job was the complete opposite — it was in energy, which was very boring for me. So, I was excited to get back into something involving kids.What really stood out to me about Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts was the support from the corporate team. A lot of franchises let you buy in, use the name, and then you’re on your own — they collect their fees, but the ongoing support is minimal. With Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts, it was different. They are there for you three months in, three years in — even 10 years down the line. We still use their resources regularly. That level of involvement and support was a huge factor in our decision.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Arnold:&nbsp;Of course, financial success is always a goal, but for me, success means keeping the brand focused and ensuring everything we do aligns with Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts’ branding. We want our customers to love us and be happy with every visit. I also want my employees to be happy.One of the biggest things I emphasize is work-life balance. I do everything I can to help my team get the right schedule, take time off when needed and support each other. That teamwork and flexibility were a major reason I left my corporate job, and I want to create a positive culture for my employees.Growth-wise, we’re opening a second location. Our Clermont salon is in Lake County, and our new Davenport location will be in Polk County, so they serve different communities. Interestingly, we already have customers from Davenport visiting our Clermont location, so we’ll have a built-in customer base when we open. It’s funny to think we already have regulars before even opening, but it’s exciting.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Arnold: I think we’re one of the few salons that opened right before, during or just after the COVID boom. Everything we went through was completely different from most of the other salons in the system. We came out strong, and I believe there’s not much that can bring you down if you just keep pushing forward. We could have taken it as a sign to quit, but instead, we used that time to market, strengthen our team, hire and train. That downtime ended up working to our advantage.It also helped that we’re in Florida, where there were fewer restrictions, so we could get back to business faster. We had a tough start, but we came through it successfully. At the end of the day, challenges will happen, it’s all about how you handle them and keep moving forward.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Arnold: Do your research. Take the time to really understand the brand before signing on. Find something that speaks to you. If you don’t care about what the company does or what it stands for, there’s no point in doing it. I wouldn’t buy into something that doesn’t interest me at all because this is something you’ll be doing every day. You’ll be in it day in and day out, so it’s important to choose a brand that aligns with you. Otherwise, you might end up disliking what you’ve invested in.About Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts:&nbsp;Pigtails &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; Crewcuts or to find a salon near you, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com</a>. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=heather-arnold-pigtails-crewcuts-franchise-success-2728981" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com</a>.&nbsp;

From Corporate Hustle to Business Owner: How Motherhood Led This Franchisee to Pigtails & Crewcuts

How Motherhood Led Heather Arnold to Open a Pigtails & Crewcuts

1851 Franchise

Balancing a brand-new business with a toddler and a newborn on the way, Heather Arnold opened her first salon in 2020. She’s now preparing for location number two.

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-talal/">Kelly Talal</a> spent nearly 15 years building brands and guiding marketing strategy for major companies like Burger King, Honda, and United Airlines. But after relocating to the Atlanta area and becoming a mom of two young daughters, she and her husband began thinking differently about the future and what long-term ownership could look like outside the corporate world.That search resulted in the purchase of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> salon in&nbsp;<a href="https://pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/marietta-west-cobb/">Marietta-West Cobb</a> in 2025. A few months later, two more opportunities followed in&nbsp;<a href="https://pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/roswell-ga/">Roswell</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://book.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/102610/home">Woodstock</a>. She now owns and operates three salons across metro Atlanta.Talal’s professional background is in advertising and brand strategy, helping companies allocate media budgets and reach their target consumers more effectively. While she loved her career, she knew she also wanted to build something of her own.“I really wanted to do something on my own,” Talal said. “And with two small kids, I knew that I wanted it to be in the children’s space.”<h2>Discovering the Right Fit With Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</h2>Talal and her husband first learned about an available&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> salon while researching ownership opportunities in the Atlanta area and decided to meet with the seller to better understand the business and day-to-day operations.&nbsp;Meeting the previous owner and touring the salon confirmed that the business aligned with what she and her husband were looking for, reinforcing their confidence that the location was the right fit.As she evaluated the concept, Talal also began to see how closely the brand’s values aligned with the kind of environment she wanted to create for families.“It’s very inclusive to everyone,” she said. “We have a sensory safe room where kids who have sensory needs can escape to if the main salon floor is a bit too busy. I also think it’s really wholesome. It just preserves kids’ innocence.”<h2>Growing From One Location to Three</h2>After purchasing the first salon, Talal began connecting with other franchisees in the system. When another local owner decided to exit the business due to a job opportunity elsewhere, Talal saw a chance to grow.“We were approached by another owner in this area who knew that we were looking to grow our footprint,” she said. “We went and checked out his salons and all of the relevant financials and decided it was a good decision for us.”Notably, Talal still maintains her corporate advertising role, something she credits to strong teams and a brand model that supports flexible ownership. She also points to hands-on franchise support as a key factor in her decision to scale.“I get text messages and phone calls from my franchise support specialist, just checking in to see how we’re doing. I feel like we’ve been partners in this,” she said.<h2>How Talal Is Increasing Sales</h2>Since acquiring the additional salons in June and July, Talal has focused on making practical operational changes designed to increase accessibility, consistency, and confidence across her teams. She adjusted salon hours so locations that were previously closed on Sundays are now open, after recognizing that nearby competitors were capturing that demand. She also eliminated lunch-hour closures by staggering staff breaks, keeping salons open throughout the day.Training has become another major priority. Talal has implemented CPR training, sensory training, ear-piercing training, and continuing education to ensure staff members feel confident handling a wide range of services. She is also working to cross-train stylists on front-desk operations and the point-of-sale system so locations can operate efficiently even when a dedicated receptionist is not scheduled.Inside the salons, Talal has expanded retail offerings, which has improved the guest experience and driven incremental revenue. She has also leaned into fun, community-oriented events, such as hosting Santa in the salon during the holidays and running seasonal retail promotions to create a more magical experience for families.“I love putting retail in the salon,” Talal said. “Really beefing up our product and retail selection has helped a lot.”<h2>Building Community&nbsp;</h2>Talal wants to lean further into local partnerships and community outreach as she grows. Her salons already work with nearby schools, but she sees room to deepen those relationships and team up with other neighborhood businesses as the three locations become more consistent in their operations.On a personal level, Talal says the business has become a true family affair. Her daughters love spending time in the salons and even play “salon” at home. One of her 4-year-olds recently asked for a vanity for Christmas, then set it up with a notebook, brush, and toy safe.“She turned around and said, ‘Look, mommy, I have my own salon now, too,’” Talal said.What once felt like adding another responsibility has evolved into something that brings her family closer together.“For a long time, I thought I was putting one more thing on my plate,” she said. “But it has really become like a family affair now. They come in with me, and retail the stores and chat with the women. The girls love it.”As Talal continues to grow her Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts footprint across metro Atlanta, she is creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where kids feel safe, parents feel supported, and communities feel connected.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts">https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts</a>.&nbsp;

Marketing Professional Grows Multi-Unit Pigtails & Crewcuts Presence Across Metro Atlanta

After a successful career in advertising, Kelly Talal is growing a multi-unit portfolio in Marietta, Roswell, and Woodstock, GA, while balancing corporate life, motherhood, and franchising.

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How Pigtails & Crewcuts Franchisees Like Angel Putnam Are Making a Difference Beyond the Salon

The Heart of the Brand: How Pigtails & Crewcuts Franchisees Like Angel Putnam Are Making a Difference Beyond the Salon

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Tech Leader Signs 3-Unit Deal To Build a New Legacy With Pigtails & Crewcuts Franchise in Chicago

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 From Classroom to Clippers: How a Former Teacher Built a Thriving Business with Pigtails & Crewcuts

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At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a>, a haircut has never been "just a haircut." It's a milestone, a memory and for many little ones, a moment that takes a little courage. Now, the brand is doubling down on that philosophy with two exciting new initiatives: its very first children's book,&nbsp;<a href="https://pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/stylechat/pigtails-crewcuts-publishes-first-childrens-book-be-brave-today/">“Be Brave Today: Charlie's Haircut Day,”</a> and the launch of Pigtails University, a custom-built learning management system designed to strengthen its franchise network.<h2>A Story Born from Real Conversations</h2>“Be Brave Today” tells the story of Charlie, a young boy who’s nervous about going in for a haircut. The sound of clippers and the sight of scissors can feel overwhelming at first, something many kids (and parents) can relate to. With help from his friend Penny, Charlie starts to relax and see the experience differently. By the end, he’s not only gotten through it, he’s genuinely proud of himself.The idea for the book grew out of authentic conversations within the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> team about how to make children feel comfortable and prepared before they ever set foot in the salon."All of our conversations went back to how families prepare prior to coming in, and how we make them feel good once they’re in the salon," said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-underwood305/">Theresa Vona</a>, Vice President of Franchise Support. “And out of all of those conversations,‘Be Brave Today’ came about so that parents could read this to their children before coming to the salon.”Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts has been thoughtful about how the book reaches families. Individual franchise locations have the flexibility to sell it as retail, use it to read aloud to kids in the salon or donate copies to local elementary schools. Many Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts locations have also installed&nbsp;<a href="https://littlefreelibrary.org/">Little Free Library</a> in front of their stores, and have been placing copies in community book boxes so families everywhere can access the story, no salon visit required."It's a nice way to introduce our brand to the community in a positive way," Vona said. "And it's something our competitors don't have. We are the first to produce our own book in our category."<h2>Pigtails University: Training Built to Scale</h2>While “Be Brave Today” speaks to families, Pigtails University is built for the people behind the scissors. The new learning management system is designed to standardize and streamline training across the entire franchise system for franchisees, salon managers and stylists.The platform organizes learning into curated, role-specific paths. New hires, for example, are greeted with a welcome video from the brand's CEO and Presdient, giving them immediate context about Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts' history and values before they ever pick up a pair of shears. From there, courses cover everything from brand culture and customer experience to marketing, operations and leadership development. The courses are all structured in digestible steps with quizzes and checkpoints to reinforce learning along the way.“We did a survey and our franchisees ranked us really high in some categories, like our trustworthiness. But one of the things they wanted to see more of was tools for training,” Vona said. "So we made this project a priority and are proud to be implementing it and rolling it out to our system."The team vetted platforms, developed content and collaborated with a marketing firm to bring Pigtails University to beta. Content is contributed not just by the corporate support team, but by franchisees and a newly appointed group of brand ambassadors, including two licensed cosmetologists who will help build out stylist-specific programming.<h2>The Right Kind of Growth</h2>Pigtails University is designed to support the brand's growth without sacrificing the quality of franchisee relationships that has made Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts a trusted business in their communities in the first place."The more salons we have, the more these tools will help franchisees get answers faster," Vona said. “To have answers at their fingertips will help us grow in the way we should grow, where franchisees can log on and watch a video at midnight, if that’s the best time that works for them.”As the franchise continues to grow, both of its new initiatives reinforce the same goal: creating an environment where kids feel comfortable, parents feel confident and franchisees feel supported.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts">https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts</a>.&nbsp;

Pigtails & Crewcuts Takes a Bold Step Forward with a New Children's Book and Training Platform

From a heartwarming story about bravery to a cutting-edge learning hub, the beloved children's salon brand is investing in its community inside and out.

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ATLANTA, Ga.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a>, the kids’ salon franchise known for melding community connection with a proven business model, is closing out 2025 with strong momentum and an optimistic approach to the year ahead.&nbsp;“We grew double digits year over year, so I’m pleased with the unit economics for the brand as a whole," said Vice President of Franchise Development&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-holliman-2132313/">Michelle Holliman</a>. "We also celebrated our 20th anniversary this year. Everyone is excited about where we’re going and what we’ve accomplished. The franchisees understand that we’re in this with them and that we will continue to support them.”Strong systemwide performance, continued franchisee engagement and a growing developmental pipeline have positioned the brand for a confident step into 2026. As 2025 wraps up,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> is operating 86 salons in 26 states. Five more locations are expected to open early in 2026, a sign of growth and sustained franchisee interest. Beyond expansion, Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts continues to deepen its involvement locally.“Giving back is one of our core values,” Holliman said. “We have a very close-knit franchise community. They talk daily, share ideas and experiences and get their staff involved. It brings hourly employees together as a unit.”Looking ahead to 2026, Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts is preparing to launch several key initiatives designed to support franchise owners while strengthening system operations. These include Pigtails University, a new training platform, along with improved marketing strategies tied to the brand’s point-of-sale system and continued refinements to its appointment-based model.&nbsp;In terms of further development, Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts expects to award 12 to 15 new franchises next year, placing an emphasis on owners properly aligned with the chain’s values.&nbsp;“It’s not just about numbers. We want the right people who match our brand and core values. If we reach 100 units next year, that’s fantastic. But the people matter most,” Holliman said. “We’re always evolving and trying to be innovative. Franchisees are already bringing new ideas to the table. And that openness and flexibility is what makes us different.”As families continue to seek brands with a purpose worthy of their trust, Holliman believes Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts is well-positioned for success in the long-term. Thanks to their strong fundamental values, engaged franchise owners and a proactive roadmap for the year ahead, Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts enters 2026 focused on growth that’s not just meaningful but sustainable.“Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts has proven to be a recession-resistant brand, based on unit economics, community outreach and franchisees growing internally with additional units,” she said. “The model is proven. And we’re continuing to make it better.”About Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts&nbsp;Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts is a kids' 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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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 &amp; Crewcuts or to find a salon near you, please visit www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com">www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com</a>.

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From new franchisees and community outreach to deeper brand involvement and functional strength, Pigtails & Crewcuts closes the year with purpose, along with a clear outlook for what’s next.

From Corporate Hustle to Business Owner: How Motherhood Led This Franchisee to Pigtails & Crewcuts

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