Great Clips vs SmartStyle Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Great Clips Franchise
SmartStyle Franchise
Investment $146,900 - $282,400$149,430 - $305,200
Franchise Fee $20,000$39,500
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 5%2%
Year Founded 19821996
Year Franchised 19832016
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $1.75K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Great Clips Franchise
SmartStyle Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Strong management & leadership skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Great Clips Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Great Clips Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 5 hours Classroom Training: 25 hours
    Support Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing 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
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8 - 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Great Clips Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Great Clips

    Established in 1982, Great Clips started franchising in 1983 and now has locations throughout the United States and Canada. Usually located in strip malls,
    Great Clips hair salons are open evenings and weekends and do not require appointments. On average, franchisees operate three units. Great Clips sponsors NASCAR Busch Series driver Kasey Kahne. The company has also partnered with General Mills, Sprint, Best Buy, Blockbuster, Coca-Cola, Hasbro and DreamWorks.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Great Clips franchise is from $146,900 to $282,400. This includes $25,250 to $30,000 that must be paid to Great Clips or an affiliate for a single franchise agreement, and $40,250 to $45,000 that must be paid to Great Clips or an affiliate for the first salon you develop under a Three Star Program Agreement.
    If you sign a Master Development Agreement, you also must pay to Great Clips or an affiliate a Development Fee of $4,000 for each salon you agree to develop, which would amount to $8,000 to $40,000 if you were granted the right to develop between two and 10 salons.
    Veteran Incentives
    $5,000 rebate on first-store franchise fee

    "Top  ""       "Entrepreneur

    #59 in Canada's Top franchises.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #35 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #15 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #13 in Franchise 500 for 2021.






    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.