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Guide

How to open a hair salon

Opening a salon comes down to five jobs: the site, the build, the paperwork, the team and the opening. Here is each one, with the cost estimates Frankie uses for a 1,200 to 1,800 square foot salon. Total: $256,500 to $453,500, including Frankie’s $40,000 franchise fee.

Design rendering of a finished Frankie salon floor

  1. 01

    Find the right location

    Most of your rent, foot traffic and build-out cost is decided by the site. Frankie salons go in shopping centers or strip malls, 1,200 to 1,800 square feet, next to recognizable national and regional brands.

    Real estate and rent
    $6,000 to $12,000

  2. 02

    Design and build the space

    Plumbing for shampoo bowls, power for dryers and stations, lighting, finishes and signage. This is the biggest and least predictable line in any salon budget.

    Leasehold improvements
    $75,000 to $205,000
    Architectural and engineering fees
    $9,000 to $15,000
    Fixtures, finishes and equipment
    $55,000 to $70,000
    Signage
    $5,000 to $10,000

  3. 03

    Get licensed, insured and set up

    Business licenses and permits, insurance, a booking and payment system, and the professional help to set the business up correctly.

    Business licenses and permits
    $1,000 to $3,500
    Insurance
    $1,000 to $3,000
    Computers and software
    $7,500 to $12,500
    Professional fees
    $1,500 to $3,000

  4. 04

    Stock the salon and train the team

    Color, product and retail on the shelves before day one, and a team trained to deliver the same service every time.

    Initial inventory and supplies
    $15,000 to $25,000
    Start-up training
    $3,000 to $7,000

  5. 05

    Open with a plan to fill the book

    A grand opening campaign, plus working capital to carry the salon while the client list grows.

    Grand opening marketing
    $7,500
    Additional funds
    $30,000 to $40,000

On your own, or with Frankie?

You can do all five jobs yourself. A franchise means you do not start any of them from a blank page. With Frankie, the salon design, operating systems, staff education and opening marketing already exist, and the real estate team helps pick and negotiate the site.

To be considered, Frankie looks for at least $150,000 in liquid assets and a $750,000 net worth.

Full cost breakdown What Frankie provides

This website is not an offer to sell a franchise. An offer can be made only through a Franchise Disclosure Document, and only in states where Frankie is registered or exempt. Investment figures are estimates. See the current Franchise Disclosure Document for full details.

Ready to open your own salon?

Tell us a little about yourself and the Frankie franchise team will set up an introduction. Prefer to talk? Call (856) 552-2262.

Start the conversation