Fantastic Sams Hair Salons vs SmartStyle Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise
SmartStyle Franchise
Investment $215,000 - $479,000$149,430 - $305,200
Franchise Fee $30,000$39,500
Royalty Fee $362+/wk.5%
Advertising Fee $142/week2%
Year Founded 19741996
Year Franchised 19762016
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise
SmartStyle Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons 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/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
    Training Available in MA: 1 week Salon Fundamentals

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

    On-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 Platform 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 National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media
    Operations 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion YesYes
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    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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    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.