Pigtails & Crewcuts

When&nbsp;<a href="https://pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/geneva-il/kids-haircuts/pigtails-amp-crewcuts-geneva-ils-newest-childrens-hair-salon/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pigtails-crewcuts-sensory-friendly-salon-gonzalez-2728843" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Marylou Gonzalez</a> and her husband, Juan, were searching for the right business to own, they never expected their personal experience as parents to lead them to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pigtails-crewcuts-sensory-friendly-salon-gonzalez-2728843" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a>, the kid’s hair salon franchise.As a former elementary and special education teacher, Marylou put her career on hold to raise and homeschool her children. But finding a comfortable, child-friendly place for haircuts proved difficult for their son, who has sensory sensitivities. The themed chairs, TVs and fun atmosphere of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/pigtails-and-crewcuts/info">Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts</a> transformed the experience for him — but the nearest salon was 45 minutes away.That’s when they decided to bring Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts to their own community.Now, three years later, they’ve expanded into a second location, continuing their mission to make haircuts fun, welcoming, and inclusive for all families.1851 spoke with Marylou to learn more about her background, her franchising journey with Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts and her plans for the future:&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Marylou Gonzalez: I was an elementary and special education educator, and my husband is a District Operations Manager. I put my career on hold to raise and homeschool our children, but my husband always dreamed of owning a business.Over the years, we tossed around different ideas, and he did a lot of research. But the idea of opening a kid’s hair salon came from personal experience — out of necessity.Our son has sensory sensitivities, and haircuts were always a struggle. The fun, child-focused atmosphere of Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts — themed chairs, TVs, toys — made a huge difference for him. But we had to drive 45 minutes just to get him a haircut.We finally decided to take the leap and open one ourselves. There are so many families - like ours - who find kids' haircuts challenging for different reasons. We wanted to create a place where kids feel truly seen, parents feel understood, and everyone feels cared for.We also put together an amazing team that shares our mission and is passionate about working with kids. On top of that, we partnered with an amazing local occupational therapist, who trained our stylists to make haircuts easier for children with sensory challenges.Now, I’m beginning the process to officially certify our salon as a sensory-safe salon.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Marylou: Franchising allowed us to open a business with the added benefit of a framework and support.As first-time business owners, we needed guidance, and we knew we would excel with a support system in place.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Marylou: We wanted to fill a gap in the community and create a space that felt truly inclusive&nbsp; for all families. That was really important to us.What sold us on Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts was the people. From the very beginning, we felt an immediate connection with the leadership team. It was clear that they cared about their franchisees, and we could see that they had a strong business model and solid support team in place.Now, after being with Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts for three years, we’ve built a strong network with other owners. We constantly share advice and best practices, and support each other. It’s an amazing community of franchisees.Their mission also aligned with our own values — to make haircuts fun, memorable and inclusive for all families.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Marylou: We are excited to continue serving our community and offering a safe and welcoming space for all families.As for growth, we recently purchased a second salon in Brookfield, Wisconsin. It needed some work, but we’re using everything we’ve learned from our first location to turn it around. Right now, we are focused on building a strong and passionate team.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Marylou: Sometimes, people choose a franchise thinking it will be easy because there’s a framework. But owning a business — even a franchise — is hard work. That said, it’s also incredibly rewarding.For us, the biggest reward is seeing the impact we have on families — especially those with kids who struggle with haircuts and often feel overlooked in the salon space. The pride comes from seeing happy customers and creating a space where families feel welcome and cared for. Every small win feels personal, and that’s what makes owning a business so special.Do your research and choose a company that aligns with your goals and values. That’s why Pigtails &amp; Crewcuts was the perfect fit for us, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision.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 www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com. 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=pigtails-crewcuts-sensory-friendly-salon-gonzalez-2728843" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pigtailsandcrewcutsfranchise.com</a>.&nbsp;

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Pigtails & Crewcuts: A Sensory-Friendly Salon for Kids

1851 Franchise

A passion for inclusion and a desire to serve families led Marylou and Juan Gonzalez to bring the sensory-friendly salon experience to Geneva, Illinois.

How This Mother Turned a Personal Challenge Into a Franchise Success Story With Pigtails & Crewcuts

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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>.

Pigtails & Crewcuts, kids haircuts, kids hair salon

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.

How This Mother Turned a Personal Challenge Into a Franchise Success Story With Pigtails & Crewcuts

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