Low-Cost Hairstyle Franchises: 9 Opportunities to Explore

Valued at over 65 billion in 2022, the U.S. hair salon services market has proven its strength and continues to grow. Given the reliable, repeat nature of the business, the hairstyling industry can be an incredibly lucrative venture. And while the startup costs for some hairstyle franchises may be prohibitively expensive for first-time entrepreneurs, there are plenty of low-cost options available as well.

• Investment Range: $99,500 - $256,000

• Unit Count: 78

Pigtails & Crewcuts, established in 2003, is a children's hair salon franchise with a family-friendly approach and a major differentiator in its focus on community involvement. In addition to haircut and styling services, Pigtails & Crewcuts franchisees have diverse revenue streams through retail offerings such as children's hair care and accessories, and hosting events like birthday parties

• Investment Range: $183,400 - $394,400

• Unit Count: 4,427

Great Clips is a large haircut franchise that offers “great” haircuts on the client’s schedule. In addition to men’s, women’s, kids’ and seniors' haircuts, Great Clips locations offer wash and style services, perms, bang trims and beard trims.

• Investment Range: $164,694 - $234,939

• Unit Count: 45

Lemon Tree Hair Salons offers a full-service experience for the entire family. In addition to standard haircuts, salons offer styling, blowouts, smoothing and color services, all using brand-name, professional-grade products.

• Investment Range: $344,650 - $471,400

• Unit Count: 46

The Boardroom Salon for Men offers hair services and more. While The Boardroom offers an elevated experience for men with services like hair coloring, scalp massage, beard care and spa add-ons like a paraffin hand dip and pressure point facial massage, it notes that it’s welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, gender or orientation.

• Investment Range: $309,031 - $379,502

• Unit Count: 102

Blo Blow Dry Bar is a blowout franchise that prides itself on exceptional service at an affordable price point. The franchise also offers makeup services, extensions, updos, and scalp massages on-site. Blo On The Go, Blo Bridal and Blo Party services are also available to diversify revenue streams.

• Investment Range: $203,600 - $312,300

• Unit Count: 2

The Smoothbar is a hair salon franchise that focuses on “smoothing treatments” like keratin hair treatments and Brazilian blowouts. With a specialized extraction system, Smoothbar locations keep the air clean and the environment safe while servicing multiple clients at once, making them the go-to for smoothing appointments.

• Investment Range: $278,550 - $489,600

• Unit Count: 41

Bishops Cuts/Color is a hair salon franchise that focuses on customization, allowing franchisees to cater to anyone who needs a hair cut or color. Whether it’s a young artist with rainbow hair or a clean-cut professional, Bishops is welcoming and accessible to everyone.

• Investment Range: $257,600 - $431,500

• Unit Count: 8

Cherry Blow Dry Bar works to provide high-quality services at an affordable price. By applying the popular membership model to the blowout industry and using only the highest quality brands, Cherry Blow Dry Bar has built a loyal clientele base as it continues to grow.

• Investment Range: $189,500 - $297,800

• Unit Count: 150+

Nikita Hair is a global franchise system that offers hair cuts, styling, coloring, perms, relaxers, extensions and intensive hair treatments. Salons also offer supplemental beauty services like brow coloring and sculpting, face waxing and makeup.

The beauty and grooming industry has experienced incredible growth in recent years, and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to tap into the growing market can get started with a lower barrier to entry thanks to these low-cost hairstyle franchises.