If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming your own boss and entering a thriving industry, now may be the perfect time to own a hair salon—especially one that caters to families and children. Whether you’re an entrepreneur with management experience or a parent looking to build a meaningful business in your community, understanding the full picture before investing is essential. In this article, we’ll walk through what you need to know: from startup costs and support to scalability and long-term potential.
The Business of Children’s Hair Salons: A Recession-Resistant Industry
Before you own a hair salon, it’s important to understand the market you’re entering. According to Inc., the children’s hair salon industry generates over $5 billion annually in the U.S. It’s a booming sector and Snip-its, an iconic brand founded in 1995, has been leading the way for nearly 30 years.
With more than 3.6 million babies born each year, demand for family-friendly haircut services remains consistent. Unlike trendy adult salons that may fluctuate with economic cycles or fashion fads, children’s haircuts are a routine and essential service for families.
What It Costs to Own a Snip-its Hair Salon
One of the first questions aspiring franchisees ask is: how much does it cost to own a hair salon franchise like Snip-its?
Here’s a breakdown of the investment:
- Initial investment range: $212,515 – $327,027
(Includes build-out, equipment, signage, grand opening marketing, and working capital)
- Franchise fee: $35,000
- Royalty fees: 5% of gross sales for the first year, 6% thereafter
Snip-its offers transparency throughout the process, and potential franchisees can refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for complete financial details. Compared to opening an independent salon—which may lack brand recognition, training, and support—the franchise model delivers value from day one.
You Don’t Have to Be a Stylist to Own a Hair Salon
A common misconception is that you need to have salon or cosmetology experience to succeed. But with Snip-its, business experience matters more than beauty experience.
As a franchise owner, your primary focus will be:
- Recruiting and managing a team of talented stylists
- Overseeing day-to-day operations
- Building a culture that attracts and retains staff
- Engaging with your community to grow brand awareness
Snip-its provides extensive support in areas like recruiting, training, and local marketing—so you can lead confidently even if you’ve never picked up a pair of shears.
Multiple Revenue Streams Help Boost Profit Potential
Unlike traditional salons that rely mainly on haircuts, Snip-its has built a model with diversified revenue opportunities, including:
- Core haircut services
- Add-on services (shampooing, braiding, spa treatments)
- Retail sales, proprietary Snip-its haircare products, toys, and accessories
- Birthday parties and ear piercing services
These additional services help increase the average ticket size and enhance customer loyalty.
World-Class Support from Day One
Owning a Snip-its salon means you’re in business for yourself, but never by yourself. Here’s what you can expect in terms of support:
- Site selection assistance: Get help finding the right location for visibility, traffic, and demographics
- Store design and build-out: Professionally designed stores deliver a fun, memorable experience for kids
- Initial training: Comprehensive onboarding includes operations, customer service, and hiring best practices
- Marketing toolkit: Access to proven promotional materials, digital strategies, and grand opening campaigns
- Ongoing education: Continuous learning for owners and stylists to maintain service quality and team growth
This franchise system is built to set you up for success—even if it’s your first time owning a business.
Real Stories from Real Owners
Snip-its franchisees come from all backgrounds—parents, former customers, first-time business owners, and many now own multiple locations. Take it from Jason Porter, a multi-unit franchisee:
“I was a customer before I was an owner. I saw how happy my kids were, and I knew I wanted to be part of something special. Now I run eight locations, and each one gives me the same satisfaction—seeing kids smile and parents feel welcome.”
Franchisees like Jason prove that passion, combined with a smart model, can turn your dream of business ownership into a reality.
Scale at Your Own Pace
Many Snip-its franchisees start with one salon and later expand to own multiple locations. The model is designed for scalability, with systems in place that help you:
- Delegate daily operations to trusted managers
- Replicate the customer experience across locations
- Maintain consistent brand standards while growing
As your team and customer base grow, so can your income and impact.
Is Owning a Hair Salon Franchise Right for You?
If you’re driven, community-minded, and excited by the idea of building a business that brings joy to children and families, owning a Snip-its salon might be the perfect opportunity.
No prior salon experience is required—just a commitment to following a proven system, growing a strong team, and delivering exceptional customer service.
Ready to Learn More?
Explore the Snip-its franchise opportunity in more detail and discover how you can own a hair salon that’s both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling.
Read franchise owner success stories
Contact our team