Pigtails & Crewcuts Franchise Information

The long-time franchising veteran talks to 1851 about his experience with Heavenly Ham, his journey into the kid's salon segment, his advice for franchisees and his plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: So, how did you fall into franchising? 

Pigtails & Crewcuts CEO Wade Brannon: I've been doing it for about 40 years now, but if I can remember back, I got out of college and needed to recuperate from all the trials and tribulations of school. I moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina and ended up going to work for the first Heavenly Ham store. It was the only one at the time. The original owners of that business had started it with the intention of building it into a franchise brand. I went to work in the retail store and ended up loving the product and loving the concept. Eventually, I teamed up with a couple of other partners and we bought the company, moving it to Atlanta and working to franchise the concept.

1851 Franchise: Did you understand what franchising was back then? If you could go backwards in time, what would you tell your younger self?

Brannon: Did I understand? The answer is absolutely not. My job was sweeping floors, cleaning toilets, cooking hams — not in that order, luckily. There was no such thing as an entrepreneurship major in my college. But I knew we had a good product and felt like we needed to expand the business. The best way to do that was through franchising. We wore every hat under the sun in the beginning. We made every mistake under the sun. Regardless, we always had one guiding philosophy: if our franchisees are successful, then we will eventually be successful. 

1851 Franchise: How did you originally get involved with Pigtails & Crewcuts?

Brannon: After Heavenly Ham, I decided I was ready for a new journey. I discovered Pigtails & Crewcuts in 2004. When my children first stepped into the salon, they fell in love right away. Having stepped back from my career in franchising to focus on family, I realized how much families need services that cater specifically to them. Pigtails & Crewcuts presented not just a business opportunity, but a chance to offer a space where children are delighted and parents are at ease. This aligned perfectly with my vision of offering franchisees the chance to run a business that complements their family life, something I knew many were seeking.

1851 Franchise: So, tell me about Pigtails & Crewcuts. Obviously, there is a difference in the product that you're selling now, but I would imagine your franchising expertise from other companies has ended up translating to this brand.

Brannon: It is very similar. In the ham business, we were selling a product that you could get at your local grocery store for a whole lot less. But we were selling an experience and a higher quality. People want the best for their family get-togethers or their holiday events, so while we charged a premium for this product, people knew it was worth it. 

Then, when I found Pigtails & Crewcuts, it was the same thing — charging a premium for something you could technically do yourself. But people don’t want to give their children a bad haircut in the bathroom. They want the best for their children — the best food, the best medical care, the best education and the best hair cuts. So, Pigtails & Crewcuts fit that same mold I was used to. 

In terms of being a franchisor, the things we are focused on are the same as before: providing support, a proven concept, expert knowledge, state-of-the-art tools — everything a franchisee needs to be successful. From running ads in local newspapers to search engine optimization, the techniques have changed, but the idea remains the same. It's our job to find the tools and perfect the processes, teach them to franchisees and ensure they have the maximum opportunity for success. 

1851 Franchise: What does it take to be a good franchisee, particularly with Pigtails & Crewcuts?

Brannon: For one, you need to be a people-person because you are dealing with employees and customers. You need to be able to relate to both of those parties. And then the second thing is you have to be willing to follow the program day-in and day-out versus somebody who tries to reinvent the wheel on a day-in and day-out basis. 

Prospects have to ask themselves: Is this business right for me and my family? A lot of the people who are interested in Pigtails & Crewcuts are mothers of two-year-olds, for example. But, while this is a semi-absentee business model, there is still a lot of time that's required, especially in the beginning, in order to be successful. So, they need to ask themselves: Does this schedule fit into my family plan? Will I be able to devote the time necessary to run this business?

The key to success is finding the staff, dedicating a few months at the beginning and then letting the franchise's support system guide you from there, whether you are an owner-operator or a semi-absentee owner. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel — it is a straightforward path to successful business ownership. If you're ready to embrace a winning franchise that also allows you to spend more time with the family, Pigtails & Crewcuts could be your next big venture.

1851 Franchise: What is your growth plan for the future?

Brannon: Our team hopes to add 20 franchise territories by the end of 2024, focusing on expanding in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah, among other states. 

As we continue to grow the Pigtails & Crewcuts brand, I couldn’t be more excited for the future. Our franchise has always been about more than just haircuts. It's about building a community and enriching lives. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Pigtails & Crewcuts offers not just a business opportunity, but a chance to make a positive impact on both their families and the families in their community.

For more information on franchising with Pigtails & Crewcuts, visit: https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/