Merle Norman Cosmetics vs Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Merle Norman Cosmetics vs Fantastic Sams Hair Salons including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise
Investment $39,471 - $180,888$215,000 - $479,000
Franchise Fee N/A$30,000
Royalty Fee 0$362+/wk.
Advertising Fee -$142/week
Year Founded 19311974
Year Franchised 19891976
Term Of Agreement Open-ended10 years
Term Of Agreement Open-ended10 years
Renewal Fee -Varies


Business Experience Requirements
 
Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise
    Training Field training classes, field visits, advanced home office training and point-of-sale software training Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Online training Available in MA: 1 week Salon Fundamentals

    At regional office: ongoing On-The-Job Training: ongoing Classroom Training: 32 hours

    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Email marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchisee is allowed.

    		 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8


    Expansion Plans
     
    Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Merle Norman Cosmetics

    Even before she opened her first studio in Santa Monica in 1931, Merle Norman's philosophy of "Try Before You Buy" was being carried out as she offered free samples of her products to neighbors, hoping they'd discover the benefits and return as paying customers. And return they did. Many even opened their own studios and the company now has studios throughout the United States and Canada. Carrying on the Merle Norman tradition, franchisees now offer skin care, from cleansers and toners to sun defense, and a full line of cosmetics.

    Veteran Incentives  $5,000 in inventory

    "Entrepreneur
    #366 in Franchise 500 for 2020.




    About Fantastic Sams Hair Salons

    Join a Franchise that:
     * Is Recession Resistant
     * Is A Leader in its Category
     * Does not require previous experience
     * Has a low investment
     * Offers Single & Multi-Unit Development Opportunities
    Owning a Fantastic Sams Hair Salon franchise is a great investment because:
     * The hair care business is large, growing, recession resistant and immune to technology or other competitive forces. Hair is always growing and the demand for more services and personal attention by today's consumer creates a great opportunity for the right hair salon business model. The American Salon's Green Book, the bible of the salon business, cites numerous hair care business trends that greatly favor the Fantastic Sams hair salon franchise model
     * As a leading hair salon franchise, Fantastic Sams Hair Salon has been featured in some of the top industry and business publications
    o Entrepreneur Magazine
     o Franchise 500 - #1 Full Service Hair Salon Franchise; #50 overall
     o Franchise Times - #54 of Top 200 Franchises
     o Black Enterprise - Top Franchises for African Americans
     o Poder Enterprise Magazine - Top Franchises for Hispanics
     o USA Today - Top Franchises for Minorities
    * You don't need to have any previous experience in the Hair Salon Business. Whether you are interested in developing single or multiple salons, as an owner of a Fantastic Sams Hair Salon Franchise, each day you'll work on your business, not in your business. Using your skills in marketing, employee relations, and business management, you dictate the success of your salon or salons.
     * In the hair care business, Fantastic Sams Hair Salon fills a large niche that no one else is exploiting - the full-service salon at reasonable prices. And with a low initial investment, owning a  Fantastic Sams Hair Salon Franchise is a great business decision.

    Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee
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