Franchise Deep Dive: Uni K Wax Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

With a proprietary wax that allows for faster application, smaller room sizes and heightened comfort, Uni K Wax aims to redefine a booming industry.

By Luca Piacentini1851 Franchise Managing Editor

Updated 11:11AM • 10/23/23

LAST UPDATED: October 15, 2023

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://unikwaxfranchise.com/

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 34

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $390,135 to $650,345

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $1.3M AUV

Uni K Wax is a 34-unit hair removal and waxing franchise that has developed a natural, elastic wax as an alternative to painful honey wax and paper strips, as well as a skin-friendly application and removal technique for faster, more comfortable services. Today, the brand offers a dynamic blend of 160 waxing services — from eyebrow waxing to facial waxing, Brazilian wax and full body wax — for unisex customers. Uni K Wax competes in the $11 billion waxing sector against competitors such as Waxing the City, Waxxpot, European Wax Center and others.

How Many Uni K Wax Locations Are There?

Uni K Wax was founded in 1993 by Noemi Grupenmager, an entrepreneurial immigrant from Argentina who was frustrated by the inadequate waxing options she found for her daughters. The flagship location in Miami, which was considered the first-ever studio dedicated solely to waxing, became a massive success.

In 2007, the Uni K Wax brand began its franchising journey and has since expanded to include 32 franchised and two corporate locations in states including Florida, New York, New Jersey and Texas. In 2023, Grupenmager decided to retire and sell the company. Exaltare Capital Management, a Boston-based private equity firm with a focus on franchise and multi-unit businesses and Heather Elrod, former Amazing Lash CEO and Managing Partner at Conscious Capital Growth, acquired the Uni K Wax brand.

Fueled by a recent acquisition and the backing of the franchise growth experts like Elrod (who brings an impressive 30-year franchising resume to the brand) and Exaltare Capital, Uni K Wax is set for massive expansion, aiming to add 30 to 50 locations per year in markets like Texas, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Nevada.

What Is the Uni K Wax Business Model?

Uni K Wax franchisees deliver unique face and body hair removal products and services to their community. The brand’s hallmark ElastiKWax™, crafted from beeswax combined with a distinctive pine tree resin, presents an eco-conscious alternative to traditional painful waxing techniques. Its flexibility allows for quicker waxing of several body parts at once. Additionally, each location features a Wax Lab™, managed by a specialist, ensuring optimal wax mixture and minimal waste. Clients are provided with a wax warmer specific to them. Professionals, accredited from the Uni K Academy, undergo rigorous training to ensure uniform, top-tier results with every visit. Owing to its specialized service approach, the Uni K Wax design requires smaller rooms than typical industry standard.

How Much Can a Uni K Wax Franchise Owners Make?

Top Uni K Wax studios grossed over $1.3 million in 2023, with the system’s top studio grossing $1.7 million, according to the brand’s most recent FDD.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Uni K Wax Franchise?

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Uni K Wax Studio ranges from $390,135 to $650,345, depending upon the size of the location and the type of market in which it is located.

Start-up costs include:

Initial Franchise Fee: $45,000
Initial Training Fee: $5,000
Training Expenses (Management Training): $1,500 to $6,000
Training Expenses and Additional Training Fees (Waxer Certification Training):
- Option 1: $5,400 to $9,450
- Option 2: $2,000 to $3,800
- Option 3: $3,500 to $6,300
Real Estate Management Fee: $5,000
Project Management Fee: $14,500
Site Survey: $2,000 to $3,000
Lease Deposit & 3 Months’ Rent: $24,600 to $68,000
Architect Fees: $10,500 to $16,500
Construction & Leasehold Improvements: $139,000 to $265,000
Signage & Digital Graphics: $12,300 to $19,600
Furniture, Fixtures & Millwork: $57,580 to $87,200
Startup Package: $16,000 to $22,245
Technology Systems: $11,755 to $14,300
Grand Opening Advertising: $15,000
Utility Deposits: $150 to $250
Licenses and Permits: $1,500 to $2,500
Professional Fees: $2,000 to $7,000
Insurance (12 Months’ Premium): $1,500 to $3,000
Preopening Payroll: $2,250 to $4,800
Additional Funds (3 Months): $21,000 to $37,000

What Is the Franchise Fee for Uni K Wax?

The franchise fee for Uni K Wax is $45,000.

Who Is the Leadership of Uni K Wax?

Noemi Grupenmager - Founder at Uni K Wax
Heather Elrod - Executive Chair at Uni K Wax
Kathy DeGrandi Heasley - Advisory Partner at Conscious Capital Growth
Nancy Florian - Brand Manager at Uni K Wax
Omar Simmons - Managing Partner & Founder at Exaltare

What Helpful Articles Can I See to Learn More About Uni K Wax?

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