First Choice Haircutters vs Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC) Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of First Choice Haircutters vs Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC) including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
First Choice Haircutters Franchise
Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC) Franchise
Investment $163,880 - $302,600$145,500 - $1,111,000
Franchise Fee $29,500 - $49,500N/A
Royalty Fee 5% - 7%-
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 19802004
Year Franchised 19822018
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee To $3K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
First Choice Haircutters Franchise
Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC) Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Customer-service oriented, management skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    First Choice Haircutters Franchise
    Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC) Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    First Choice Haircutters Franchise
    Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC) Franchise
    Training Classroom Training: 5 days -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO -
    Operations 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

     
    First Choice Haircutters Franchise
    Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC) Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    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.

    About Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC)

    "SPEC

    Salon Professional Education Company is a network of amazing schools producing salon-ready professionals all across the country. Our leadership team is comprised of seasoned industry executives, educators, franchise experts, and business owners from many walks of life. The diverse nature of this group brings a unique insight and perspective to the beauty school industry and has led to the development of one of the strongest beauty school franchise systems in the nation.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a new TSPA, ESI or SPA Salon Professional Education Company beauty school franchised business is $668,000 to $1,111,000 for the model that includes hairstyling and $448,000 to $838,000 for the model that does not include hairstyling. This includes $45,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. This applies regardless of the service mark you may choose for operating your franchise.
    The total investment necessary to convert an existing beauty school is $145,500 to $628,500. This also includes the $45,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates, and applies regardless of the service mark you may choose for operating your franchise.