The Top 5 Reasons To Buy a Sola Salons Franchise in 2024

The beauty industry continues to thrive, and there’s never been a better time to invest in Sola Salons, the salon suite franchise under the Radiance Holdings umbrella. Here are the top five reasons why Sola Salons stands out as a prime franchise opportunity in 2024.

1. The Strength of the $100 Billion Beauty Industry

The U.S. beauty industry is a powerhouse, generating over $100 billion annually. Beauty services — such as hairdressing, esthetics, nail services and massage therapy — are continually in demand and can only be delivered by trained professionals. That creates an industry that’s resilient, with services that cannot be replaced by automation or AI. Sola Salons taps into this exciting market.

“Sola Salons offers an incredible franchise opportunity because it allows beauty professionals to thrive independently while providing franchisees with a straightforward and scalable business model,” said Scott Thompson, chief development officer. “With our extensive support, proven track record and strong community, there’s never been a better time to join the Sola family.”

2. A Unique Franchise Opportunity: Real Estate Meets Beauty Entrepreneurship

Sola Salons offers a distinctive franchise model that combines the appeal of real estate investment with the satisfaction of helping beauty professionals achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. 

As a Sola Salons franchisee, you provide move-in ready, private salon suites where beauty professionals can operate their own businesses independently. The Sola Salons franchise owner manages common areas, including entryways, bathrooms and break rooms, ensuring that beauty professionals can focus entirely on their clients and their craft. Suites can be modified to accommodate each individual professional.

This model not only supports the aspirations of beauty professionals but also creates a meaningful and rewarding business opportunity for franchise owners.

“Our franchisees really make the Sola Salons brand because they actually care about the beauty pros in their facility,” said Thompson. “Our owners get satisfaction in elevating someone to become an entrepreneur. It’s not just a real estate play — there is a joy that a lot of owners get in being able to support that community. Other franchises are about filling seats, but Sola is about being a true business owner.”

“That’s what I love about Sola today — we can offer financial wealth and freedom to others who wouldn’t have the ability to open their own business,” said Sola Salons franchisee owner, Chet Lamey. “The safety and support that comes with joining Sola for our entrepreneurs is truly amazing.”

3. Size and Brand Recognition

With over 725 locations nationwide and more than 20,000 beauty professionals operating within its walls, Sola Salons has established itself as a leader in the salon suite industry. The brand’s extensive reach and strong reputation provide franchisees with a competitive edge, attracting beauty professionals who value the prestige and support associated with the Sola name. This brand recognition translates into a steady stream of tenants and a reliable revenue model for franchise owners.

“Sola Salons really invented this category,” said Lori Merrall, vice president of franchise sales. “Since day one, we have stayed true to our mission of putting the beauty professional first, offering beautiful salon spaces for rent to stylists and salon professionals.”

Looking ahead, Sola Salons shows no signs of slowing down — the brand hopes to reach the 1,000-unit mark within the next few years. The team has identified several key markets primed for growth, including many major cities across the U.S., such as San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Chicago, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Miami, Boston and more. Additionally, the brand is targeting Canada for strategic growth in Toronto and London, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta and Vancouver, British Columbia.

4. Simplicity and Scalability

One of the most compelling aspects of the Sola Salons franchise model is its simplicity. Unlike other franchise opportunities that require intensive hands-on management, Sola Salons offers a flexible and scalable business model.

“If you build out a Sola with 30 suites, you only need 30 customers,” said Merrall. “And retention is very high. There is no on-site staff, minimal equipment maintenance, no inventory or receivables and predictable expenses.”

This simplicity allows franchise owners to focus on growth and expansion, with over 70% of Sola Salons franchisees opting to open multiple locations. The high retention rates among beauty professionals further enhance the predictability and scalability of the business.

5. The Strength of the Investment

Sola Salons represents a strong investment opportunity with a total estimated investment ranging from $924,021 to $1,957,824. The ideal franchisee possesses a minimum net worth of $1.5 million and $500,000 in liquid assets. While franchise ownership experience is beneficial, no prior experience in the beauty industry is required. 

In return for their investment, franchisees gain access to extensive training, strong marketing support and ongoing operational guidance. When franchisees are prepared to join the Sola family, the brand offers comprehensive assistance throughout the process, from selecting sites to pinpointing competitive markets. Additionally, franchisees can tap into national marketing efforts and tailor them to their local markets with the help of Sola’s in-house marketing team. The brand’s well-established national marketing fund consistently generates leads, helping to fill suites, enhance recruitment and retention, and further solidify the Sola Salons brand recognition.

“This system, like most, values innovation from franchisees. A McDonald’s franchisee I worked for in Santa Barbara invented the Egg McMuffin, which spawned the breakfast business and incremental sales. Sola values franchisee innovation too. There’s a lot of creativity and knowledge across different aspects of the business, from construction to marketing to management,” said Sola Salons franchise owner, Greg Sieck.

“If you’re looking to invest in a franchise that combines the best of real estate and entrepreneurship with the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of beauty professionals, Sola Salons is the perfect choice,” said Thompson. 

For more information on franchising with Sola Salons, visit Sola Franchising.