Great Clips
Franchised hair salon chain offering walk-in haircuts and haircare services from shopping center locations, using distinctive trade dress and business methods.
Health Score
74 Investment Range
$188K–$420K
Franchise Fee
$20,000–$35,000
Royalty
6%
gross sales
Total Units
4,439
+0.27% growth
Initial Investment Breakdown
| Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| Initial Advertising Contribution to MDAF | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Travel and Expenses While Training | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Architecture Fees | $100 | $3,800 |
| Leasehold Improvements, including Labor | $70,000 | $200,000 |
| Rent and Security Deposits | $1,000 | $10,000 |
| Fixtures, Signage and Furnishings, including Salon Technology Hardware | $40,000 | $55,000 |
| Freight | $4,000 | $7,000 |
| Sales Tax on Fixtures, Signage and Furnishings | $0 | $3,200 |
| Opening Inventory and Supplies | $4,700 | $6,400 |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Insurance | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Lease Liability Fee and Lease Review Fee | $0 | $4,000 |
| Additional Funds (3-6 Months) | $20,000 | $60,000 |
| Total | $187,800 | $419,900 |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Avg Revenue
$399K
Median Revenue
$382K
Sample Size
4,147
Above Average
44.78%
Reporting period: 2024
Unit Growth
| Year | Total Units | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4,427 | +116 | -128 |
| 2023 | 4,427 | +98 | -89 |
| 2024 | 4,439 | +115 | -98 |
Other Ongoing Fees
| Fee | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Training Fee (Great Academy, LEADS, University) | $200 | annually per salon |
| Local Co-op Dues | $100 | monthly average |
| Recruiting Technology Fee | $750 | annually per salon |
| Network and Hardware Managed Services Fee | $18.99 | monthly per salon |
| Mobile Device Management Licensing Fee | $54 | annually per ipad |
| Meraki MX68-CW Salon Router Maintenance Fee | $312 | annually per router |
| Lane 5000 Warranty and Support Program | $59.76 | annually per terminal |
| Credit Card Processing (Heartland Merchant Protection) | $5 | monthly per salon |
| Franchisee Program Fee | — | per meeting or event |
| Insurance Coverage | — | annually |
| Salon Upgrades | — | every 7 to 10 years |
| Salon Ongoing Maintenance Costs | — | annually |
Quick Facts
Est. Payback
5.1 years
Fee Burden
11%
royalty + ad fund
Franchised
4,439
Company-Owned
0
Transfers
207
last year
Source: FDD filed in MN, 2026. Extracted 2026-03-28.