Cost Cutters Family Hair Care vs SmartStyle Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cost Cutters Family Hair Care vs SmartStyle including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Cost Cutters Family Hair Care Franchise
SmartStyle Franchise
Investment $148,930 - $316,700$149,430 - $305,200
Franchise Fee $39,500$39,500
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 4%2%
Year Founded 19821996
Year Franchised 19822016
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Cost Cutters Family Hair Care Franchise
SmartStyle Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Retail/service industry experience useful
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    Financing Options
     
    Cost Cutters Family Hair Care Franchise
    SmartStyle 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
     
    Cost Cutters Family Hair Care Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
    Training On-the-job training: 46.5 hours Classroom training: 24 hours Additional training: As neededOn-The-Job Training: 5 hours Classroom Training: 25 hours
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet PlatformPurchasing 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 Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 95% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (20% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Cost Cutters Family Hair Care Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Cost Cutters Family Hair Care

    In 1963, Joe Francis opened the first The Barbers Hairstyling for Men salon in Minnesota. Five years later, the salons began styling women's hair. In 1982, Francis diversified even more, founding family salon Cost Cutters. Twelve Cost Cutters centers opened that first year, and six years later, the 300th salon opened. Today, Cost Cutters is owned by Regis Corporation, a Minneapolis-based company that also owns a host of other hair salons, including City Looks, Regis Salons, Supercuts and We Care Hair.

    Veteran Incentives  $2,500 rebate on first-store franchise fee
    #244 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About SmartStyle

    With convenient locations in Walmart stores across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, SmartStyle is a full-service hair salon that provides the hairstyle you want at an affordable price, all in a welcoming and relaxing environment.  SmartStyle is proud to be part of Regis Corporation, the world's largest and leading hair salon company.


    "Entrepreneur
    #325 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #130 in Franchise 500 for 2021.