Beauty franchise finance

Sales per unit$357,824 to $929,020

Franchise fees5.5% to 13.7% of sales

Cost to open$184,794 to $3,074,038

By Scott Engler · Averan Advisors · Source: each brand’s 2026 FDD · Updated 16 October 2026

Salon suites

Salon suite franchisees rent furnished suites to independent stylists and other beauty professionals, usually by the week. Revenue is rent, so occupancy of the suites matters more than service volume.

Brand	Type	Average sales	Cost to open	Royalty	Locations
MY SALON Suite	Salon suite rental	$454,838	$994,971 to $1,820,417	5.5%	320
Sola Salon Studios	Salon studio rental	Not published	$950,214 to $1,748,296	5.5%	677
IMAGE Studios	Salon suites let weekly to independent beauty professionals	$445,097	$773,392 to $1,734,462	6%	127
Phenix Salon Suites	Salon suites let to independent beauty professionals	$448,801	$535,229 to $3,074,038	See brand page	369
Salons by JC	Salon Suites	$509,569	$1,352,200 to $1,900,500	5.5%	154
Beauty Bungalows	Salon suite rental	$393,731	$941,650 to $1,961,900	5.5%	6

Hair

Blowout bars, four men's grooming franchises, a walk-in salon chain, a family hair salon and a full-service salon. Revenue comes from services and retail, delivered by licensed staff on the franchisee's payroll.

Brand	Type	Average sales	Cost to open	Royalty	Locations
Drybar	Blowout bar	$852,718	$391,229 to $1,096,999	7%	198
Blo Blow Dry Bar	Blow dry bar	$405,325	$327,860 to $424,071	6%	114
Hammer & Nails	Men's grooming shop	$929,020	$694,300 to $944,045	6%	59
Sport Clips	Men's grooming shop	$419,485	$236,800 to $580,500	6%	1,702
Great Clips	Walk-in hair salon	$410,783	$187,800 to $419,900	6%	4,441
Lemon Tree	Family hair salon	$357,824	$184,794 to $277,939	6%	36
OVO Salon	High-end hair salon	$748,885	$387,202 to $638,702	6%	2
The Barbershop A Hair Salon for Men	Men's grooming shop	$469,412	$207,000 to $352,600	5%	43
V's Barbershop	Men's grooming shop	$581,838	$290,000 to $690,000	6%	62

Lash and brow

Eyelash extension and brow studios. Most revenue comes from repeat fills, and many locations sell memberships.

Brand	Type	Average sales	Cost to open	Royalty	Locations
Amazing Lash Studio	Eyelash extension and brow salon	$541,436	$484,684 to $770,754	6%	166
The Lash Lounge	Eyelash extension salon	$566,774	$316,665 to $586,499	6%	132
LashBar	Eyelash extension and brow salon	Not published	$202,170 to $294,670	6%	18

Waxing and skin

Waxing and express facial studios with short, repeat appointments, prepaid packages and retail.

Brand	Type	Average sales	Cost to open	Royalty	Locations
European Wax Center	Waxing and skin care studio	$902,437	$331,600 to $776,950	6%	1,042
Waxing the City	Body and facial waxing studio	$478,025	$339,945 to $646,195	6%	167
FACE FOUNDRIÉ	Express facial bar	$791,091	$365,370 to $621,800	7%	59
Urban Waxx	Body and facial waxing studio	$781,130	$268,000 to $638,500	5.5%	2

Tanning

Tanning salons that sell monthly memberships, with spray tans, red-light and spa services alongside.

Brand	Type	Average sales	Cost to open	Royalty	Locations
Palm Beach Tan	Tanning and wellness salon	$549,415	$755,390 to $1,263,712	6%	324
GLO Tanning	Tanning salon	$693,963	$759,200 to $1,448,000	6.5%	84
Sun Tan City	Tanning and spa salon	$627,114	$1,048,790 to $1,797,750	8%	156

Questions

What does a beauty franchise cost to open?

Across these 25 brands, opening costs range from $184,794 to $3,074,038, according to each brand's 2026 FDD. Salon suite brands sit at the top of that range because the franchisee builds out every suite.

Which beauty brands report the highest average sales?

In their 2026 FDDs, Hammer & Nails reports $929,020, European Wax Center reports $902,437 and Drybar reports $852,718 per location.

How do salon suite franchises make money?

The franchisee rents suites to independent stylists and beauty professionals, usually weekly. The tenants run their own businesses and keep their own service revenue.

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