Top Beauty and Wellness Franchises Over 50 Units

Consumers are increasingly coming to the realization that personal care isn’t ever something that should be sacrificed in the chaos of everyday life, as evidenced by the expanding beauty and wellness service industry. Look good, feel good, right? These franchise brands think so and are putting down roots and units necessary to conquer the competition.

Hand and Stone*

Unit count: 375-plus locations

Investment range: $500,574-$604,338

Hand and Stone is a massage and facial spa franchise that was founded in 2004 as a means to bring beauty and wellness to the masses. The franchise brand’s competitive pricing and seven-day service offering have led to steady growth and expansion into 28 U.S. states and Canada. Hand and Stone’s extensive list of services includes six types of massages and nine different facials and hair removal, which customers can take advantage of on a one-time basis or through a membership. Hand and Stone stays relevant in the market by exploring innovative techniques and providing customers with services utilizing the latest facial technology.

Great Clips*

Unit count: More than 4,000 units across the U.S. and Canada

Investment range: $136,900-$258,250

Since it was established in Minnesota in 1982, Great Clips has become synonymous with cheap and easy haircuts. Its speedy-yet-quality walk-in service offering that prioritizes customer convenience - no appointments, open nights and weekends - has led to its growth into the world’s largest salon brand. Great Clips provides quality assurance by putting its almost 40,000 stylists through ongoing training to all different kinds of customers. The brand has continually improved its service model over the years by developing online check-in through its website and app, and maintains both a local and national presence through various community involvement efforts and clever marketing campaigns like this one with the National Hockey League during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Sport Clips**

Unit count: Over 1,700 units

Investment range: $204,800-$368,300

The Sport Clips concept has worked since it came about in 1993 due to never losing sight of its specific target market. Recognizing that most hairdressing and grooming establishments were geared specifically toward women, the brand developed a pinpointed service offering to men and boys seeking a comfortable and enjoyable environment in which to get a haircut. This led Sport Clips to its current presence in all 50 states as well as Canada. The concept goes beyond traditional barbershops by offering grooming packages with sport-themed names like the “MVP Experience,” the “Triple Play” and the “Extra Innings,” and also showing sporting events on big TVs throughout its stores. The brand has evolved to online check-in and even has its own podcast.

Blo Blow Dry Bar

Unit count: More than 115 units nationwide

Investment range: $229,500-$347,700

Blo Blow Dry Bar is a franchise brand that has turned its original offering into one of the fastest-growing companies in the beauty and wellness segment. The concept differs from a regular hair salon because it doesn’t offer cuts or coloring, just a wash and styling. Customers can choose from seven different styles on a universal menu or can elect for a special styling for a higher price. The brand has built and maintained its customer base by offering membership plans and special service offerings like in-home and bridal packages. Some locations offer additional beauty services like waxing, makeup and nail care.

Massage Envy

Unit count: 1,180-plus locations worldwide

Investment range: $453,323-$1,059,000

Massage Envy is a global wellness franchise brand that provides massage and skin care services on an individual service or membership basis. The brand was founded in 2002 and has grown into a network of more than 25,000 massage therapists and estheticians and 1.5 million members. With a dense offering of massage services and customized skin care including treatments and facials, Massage Envy has performed more than 100 million services in its history thanks to its positioning as a body maintenance practice instead of a luxury indulgence. The brand is currently in the midst of serious legal trouble in the wake of a late-2017 BuzzFeed report on its mishandling of hundreds of sexual assault allegations, which led to sweeping organizational reform.

Fantastic Sams

Unit count: More than 1,100 locations

Investment range: $144,862-$316,006

When it was established in 1984, Fantastic Sams became the first full-service hair salon franchise and has since become one of the strongest players in the industry. With a goal of providing affordable and accessible haircuts and styling to the masses, Fantastic Sams distinguishes itself from its competitors by declining to pursue a specialty niche market. A full range of salon services like haircuts, styling, coloring and facial waxing are available to all members of the family while still maintaining a walk-in, no-appointment business model. Due to an attractive franchise agreement that includes weekly flat-fee royalties, the brand has continued to attract multi-unit franchisees like the Prichard family.

Elements Massage

Unit count: Over 230 U.S. franchises

Investment range: $222,350-$369,250

Elements Massage franchises offer therapeutic massage services and wellness programs, unlike a traditional day spa experience. Elements Massage focuses on the health benefits of massage as a way to reduce stress, bolster the immune system, ease muscle aches, encourage better sleep and mitigate lingering issues that stem from injuries and illness. The brand offers a membership model that provides clients with convenient and easy scheduling and billing as well as a wellness program complete with deals and discounts to encourage consistent self-care. The Elements Massage business model centers around communication and consistency of service in both quality and responsiveness to meet and exceed customer expectations.

Amazing Lash Studio

Unit count: Over 200 locations in 33 states

Investment range: $251,075 - $504,100

Amazing Lash Studio is a beauty franchise that was founded in Texas in 2010. Amazing Lash Studio has grown exponentially since it launched, as the brand currently has more than 150 studios in development across the U.S. Specializing in semi-permanent eyelash extensions, the brand developed four proprietary eyelash extension styles (Natural, Cute, Sexy and Gorgeous) that achieve a different look based on eye shape, lifestyle and preference. The brand’s application process is patented as well, allowing for speed, comfort and precision. While other competing brands offer a fuller catalog of services, Amazing Lash Studio focuses on a single core offering and excels at it. The brand was recently acquired by parent company WellBiz Brands, becoming the fourth health and wellness franchise in the company’s portfolio.

BodyBrite USA

Unit count: Approximately 200 franchises worldwide

Investment range: $114,383-$177,500

Offering hair removal, oxygen treatment, teeth whitening, microdermabrasion and microneedling and collagen therapy services, BodyBrite is a one-stop shop for customers’ beauty and wellness needs. The brand developed its own technology to combat the common physical insecurities that come with aging and the grooming nuisances that exist in everyday hygiene. Billing itself as a cost-effective alternative to medical offices and spas, the brand banks on customer satisfaction and intrigue after a free personal consultation to drive new business. BodyBrite has become a prominent international presence that has helped the brand develop its U.S. expansion efforts.

Palm Beach Tan

Unit count: 400-plus salons nationwide

Investment range: $478,619-$788,589

As opinions on tanning beds have changed over the years in the beauty and wellness segment, Palm Beach Tan has responded. Founded in 1990, the brand offers contract and commitment-free monthly memberships for both sunbed and spray tanning packages. To stay competitive in the developing market, Palm Beach Tan began selling tanning and skin care products and developed a fully-automated rewards program that rewards active members with perks like free package upgrades, discounts, credits and free products. The franchise brand has also begun pursuing converting independent tanning businesses and regional chains as part of its growth and development plan.

*Brands marked with an asterisk are clients of 1851 Franchise or No Limit Agency*.