Merle Norman Cosmetics vs The Lemon Tree Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
The Lemon Tree Franchise
Investment $39,471 - $180,888$161,206 - $232,572
Franchise Fee N/A$32,500
Royalty Fee 06%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19311974
Year Franchised 19891976
Term Of Agreement Open-ended15 years
Term Of Agreement Open-ended15 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
The Lemon Tree Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
The Lemon Tree Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/NoYes/No
Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
Equipment Yes/NoYes/No
Inventory Yes/NoNo/No
Receivables No/NoNo/No
Payroll No/NoNo/No

Training & Support

 
Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
The Lemon Tree 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 Additional training available as needed
Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Email marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
Operations

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

Absentee ownership of franchisee is allowed.

15% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 - 10

Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (60% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


Expansion Plans

 
Merle Norman Cosmetics Franchise
The Lemon Tree Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion NoNo
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 The Lemon Tree

Lemon Tree Hair Salons is proud to be a national brand of locally owned and operated hair salons. We are a large family of professional hair salons, all locally owned and operated in many areas of the country. We at Lemon Tree Hair Salons are proud of our brand's rich history of providing high quality salon services at value pricing for the past 45 years! We value our amazing talent and are always excited to offer our full range of value priced, professional salon services, including Haircuts. So please, next time you find yourself searching online for "Haircuts near me", feel free to visit your local salon and discover for yourself the Lemon Tree difference!
The Lemon Tree was founded in 1974 to provide family haircuts. When Joan M. Cable purchased her first salon in Bethpage, New York, this mother of three kept the salon open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Today, nearly 100 franchises offer services ranging from haircuts and styling to beard and mustache trim, updos, body waves, highlighting, coloring and permanents.