Armstrong McCall vs Cirque Salon Studios Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Armstrong McCall vs Cirque Salon Studios including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Armstrong McCall Franchise
Cirque Salon Studios Franchise
Investment $75,000 - $500,000$572,837 - $743,085
Franchise Fee N/A$40,000
Royalty Fee -5%
Advertising Fee -1% Nat'l + At least $500/mo local
Year Founded 1939-
Year Franchised 1996-
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Armstrong McCall Franchise
Cirque Salon Studios Franchise
Experience -Management and real estate experience is a plus for Cirque Salon Studios owner/operators. Some of the people who'd make optimal franchisees include real estate professionals (anyone involved in leasing, buying, selling or managing property) and other business professionals with sales, marketing or management experience.

Financing Options

 
Armstrong McCall Franchise
Cirque Salon Studios Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
Armstrong McCall Franchise
Cirque Salon Studios Franchise
Training

Initially franchise distributors receive a 2-day training at the Armstrong McCall Support Center. Additional Regional training in consultative selling

Comprehensive pre-opening training and marketing assistance, such as helping you to develop an appropriate local marketing plan and materials to attract studio owners, and conducting recruiting and sales efforts.
Support

Assistance from the Support Center includes: Field sales managers & sales meetings Product knowledge DVDs Distributor-only secure website Innovative Promotions & Merchandising Through close management of franchise operations, Armstrong McCall benefits from a cohesive system where franchises focus on specific promotions. The Support Center provides innovative promotions and incentives such as: Commissioned show sales VIP sales Seasonal in-store sales Store merchandising Monthly print advertising Customer education coordination

As a Cirque Salon Studios franchise owner, you can take advantage of an established system that is focused on quality, consistency, and growth. Our track record is supported by an experienced team that can assist with all phases of your commercial real estate franchise growth: - Site selection and build-out guidance, including our approach to identifying appropriate sites, as well as help with facility designs, architectural resources, and equipment packages. - Comprehensive pre-opening training and marketing assistance, such as helping you to develop an appropriate local marketing plan and materials to attract studio owners, and conducting recruiting and sales efforts. - Confidential operations manual, a detailed, proprietary guide with the critical information you need to operate your franchise business, including daily operating procedures, management functions, reporting, forms, and more. - Ongoing support, including remote support by phone and email, plus webinars, newsletters, and also periodic field visits from a dedicated corporate support rep. - Technology tools, including automated facility entry systems to other tech-based operational tools, to help you manage your commercial real estate franchise business.
Marketing --
Operations -Operate an efficient, technology-driven, real estate-based business, as they lease space to 25 to 30 independent studio owners. The franchise operation is designed to be far less complex and time-consuming than other opportunities, and allows franchise owners to better manage their investments, as well as their personal and professional schedules.

Expansion Plans

 
Armstrong McCall Franchise
Cirque Salon Studios Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

About Armstrong McCall

Armstrong McCall seeks a limited number of highly qualified individuals to become multi-unit franchise owner/operators in select areas of the U.S. and Mexico. We are currently focusing our U.S. expansion in the Central Plains with plans for further territory development on the horizon. Armstrong McCall owners work on their business by direct involvement in this recession-resistant industry of professional salon distribution.

No Royalties!  Unlike many franchises, Armstrong McCall collects no royalties from its franchisees.

About Cirque Salon Studios

Cirque Salon is part of a unique niche within two immense industries: the $12 trillion commercial real estate industry and the $42 billion hair salon industry . Our real estate investment franchise model is not only highly attractive to studio owners; it is also relatively resistant to economic fluctuations. Plus, our real estate investment franchise is a risk-adjusted, market tested concept with established standards and procedures. Our model is designed to be fully replicable and relatively simple to implement and follow - and it is backed by a full suite of support services and tools. Best of all, with Cirque Salon Studios' built-in automation, minimized staffing needs (no receptionist or other employed staff required), and focus on tenant retention, once your location reaches optimized occupancy rates, you won't have to spend a lot of time managing it.