The Yellow Balloon vs First Choice Haircutters Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Yellow Balloon vs First Choice Haircutters including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
The Yellow Balloon Franchise
First Choice Haircutters Franchise
Investment $55,000 - $103,500$163,880 - $302,600
Franchise Fee $25,000$29,500 - $49,500
Royalty Fee 4%5% - 7%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19831980
Year Franchised 20001982
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee $2.5KTo $3K


Business Experience Requirements

 
The Yellow Balloon Franchise
First Choice Haircutters Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience
  • Customer-service oriented, management skills

  • Financing Options

     
    The Yellow Balloon Franchise
    First Choice Haircutters Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    The Yellow Balloon Franchise
    First Choice Haircutters Franchise
    Training - Classroom Training: 5 days
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    63% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    The Yellow Balloon Franchise
    First Choice Haircutters Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About The Yellow Balloon

    Nadia Pidgeon opened her first The Yellow Balloon children's hair salon in 1976 near UCLA and a second location five years later near Universal Studios, serving the children of celebrities, like Warren Beatty, and child stars, like the Olsen Twins. The company began franchising in 2000.
    Each The Yellow Balloon salon caters to kids, featuring mini-arcades and toy boxes, and offering young customers balloons, cookies and popcorn. To commemorate a baby's first haircut, parents are given a framed photo, certificate and lock of hair. Adults can also have their hair cut at The Yellow Balloon.

    About First Choice Haircutters

    In 1980, A. Bud Cowan started First Choice Haircutters as a low-priced hair salon for the entire family, offering a 'no appointment necessary' concept for on-the-go customers. Two years later, the company started franchising the concept. With over 300 locations in Canada and the United States, First Choice Haircutters offers affordable, professional hair care in bright, contemporary salons.

    "Top

    #102 in Canada's Top franchises.