5 Hair Care Franchises We Love

The haircare industry pulls in more than $20 billion in revenue each year, so it’s fair to say these franchises are sweeping up more than a little bit of cash along with your hair. Take a moment to appreciate that excellent joke, then scroll on down to see some of our favorite franchises that have been keeping you from looking like an ‘80s rocker since, well, the ‘80s.

Great Clips*

• Unit Count: 4,472
• Startup Cost: $147,000-$302,000

Established in 1982, Great Clips began franchising just a year later in 1983. Great Clips hair salons do not require appointments and they are located in easily accessible locations like strip malls. No haircare experience is required for franchisees, who operate five to six units after five years on average.

Drybar

• Units: 150+
• Startup costs: $593,393 to $1,259,325
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Founded in 2010, Drybar separates itself from competitors by offering affordable, luxury blowouts. Providing happiness, confidence and empowerment to customers is at the center of its model. The company has built a foundation of success while sticking to its core values.

Cost Cutters Family Hair Care

• Units: 646
• Startup Cost: $149,000-$317,000

In 1982, Joe Francis founded this family salon in Minnesota. Decades later, the brand is now owned by Regis Corporation, which bills itself as beauty industry's global leader in beauty salons and cosmetology education. Regis holds ownership in nearly 7,000 locations as of today.

Smartstyle

• Units: 1,652
• Startup Costs: $179,000-$305,000

Founded in 1996, this rapidly growing franchise is laser-focused on expansion. You may have seen this full-service salon in supercenters like Walmart across North America. Smartstyle prides itself on providing a welcoming and relaxing experience to its customers by their friendly, and professionally trained stylists.

Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids

• Units: 112
• Startup Costs: $132,000-$340,000

Cookie Cutters is a children’s hair care salon with over 25 years of experience. This salon’s customer base is exclusively children and each location features a playground and televisions at each station for the kids to watch while they’re getting a fresh styling.