The cost to open a Supercuts is about $200,000. That includes the entire build out and 3 months of working capital. I have submitted my financials to supercuts and I have reviewed their Franchise disclosure documents (FDD). Of course that all looks good. I have not had a chance to interview other franchise owners yet. I'll probably look at Sport Clips and Great Clips too.

Do you know anyone who owns one of these?
What do you think about this idea in general?

I don't know anything about that sort of business but managing a bunch of broke ladies with sharp objects seems like a wild card to me.

A lot of people don't care where they get their haircut. I happen to be on the other side of the fence. I simply wouldn't because I like to pay for good service in most aspects of my life- which for the most part comes with a non franchise salon/barber.

If you're going to do it make sure it's in a prime location. The times I have gone for a quick cut its been based on location and ease of access from the highway.

I know someone that opened one that didn't work out. The two main factors seemed to be- 1. A location that was a touch short on traffic. It was in a growing area but didnt quite grow fast enough. 2. Improper management. The managers they hired did not do a good job and they as the owners weren't able to take on the role as manager in the first year to make sure things were done right.

IMO, anyone looking to open their first small business should be ready to put in a full hands on 70 hour a week effort in the first 12-18 months. Once things are running smoothly and you have a thorough knowledge base and understanding of the details then look at hiring your replacement and focusing your attention on expansion.

On your top 10 list should be a speed dial line to barbers college. Those places roll through employees like nobodies business. They're similar to restaraunts in that way.

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On your top 10 list should be a speed dial line to barbers college. Those places roll through employees like nobodies business. They're similar to restaraunts in that way.

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I concur. I actually frequent great clips because my hair is simple to cut and so plain it can't really be ****ed up.

But there are new "stylists" in there every month. The cost of turnover and keeping somewhat happy, and honest, employees must be the most challenging aspect of the job.

Forbes published a list ranking some of the best and worst franchises last month and Sports Clips scored well. Something like 98% of franchises were still around after 5 years and the growth rate was strong as well.

Aren't they all independent contractors that basically rent the chair? I don't think the costs would be that high...you just have to realize up front that there is a revolving door in that industry.

I'm not sure how the chair rent at Sports Clips works. They work hourly and get commissions/bonuses for upselling the extra time stuff and products, but I'm not sure if they have a chair rent tacked on.

There's traffic, and there's too much traffic. The local sportclips is on my no-go list because you can get into the strip center it's in, but once you're there you're caught in a Bermuda Triangle of traffic. Good luck ever getting out! It may sound like common sense but you may want to look into egress in whatever location you're considering.

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Aren't they all independent contractors that basically rent the chair? I don't think the costs would be that high...you just have to realize up front that there is a revolving door in that industry.

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There are places like this but they cater to experienced stylists with a following. Great Clips, etc cater to newer people that don't have a following. Hourly pay plus tips is about it which is why they have turnover. As soon as Sally develops a following she's off to greener pastures at a local place where she can rent a chair and make a hell of a lot more money.

I go to a great clips in Austin (for now) because I have found a couple of ladies that do a good job with my hair. I'm sure they will move along soon. One of them told me that a lady in San Antonio owns the store along with many others. They made it sound like she does really well but that could be relative when we are talking about an hourly employee. Honestly, all of the chain places around here seem to stay busy and in business.

The Supercuts on Lemmon in Dallas is one of the most active in the country, according to a manager who was cutting my hair in there one day. They actually seem to keep a core of good barbers/stylists and then have a few who come and go frequently. Location seems to be the biggest factor.

I don't think they pay chair rent in places like that. I think they just get a percentage of the revenue they generate.

I've been told they are 1099 employees and pay to rent the chair.

I used to go to a sports clips because sports on tv, hot towel and I went whenever I felt like I had the time to pop in. The hair cut was always sub-par but I understood I was sacrificing quality for convenience. Tried an actual salon that would do a men's cut for the same price and I don't think I will go back to sports clips.

I think it would be great in a college town or close to a community college.

Some close family friends owned several Sport Clips locations in SA for several years. I'm not sure how many they had but I'd guess half a dozen. They were owners for probably 5-8 years before selling them all. I don't know how much they made in selling but it must have been a small fortune based on their new lifestyle. They seemed to enjoy the the ownership experience and had zero working knowledge of that industry beforehand.

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Some close family friends owned several Sport Clips locations in SA for several years. I'm not sure how many they had but I'd guess half a dozen. They were owners for probably 5-8 years before selling them all. I don't know how much they made in selling but it must have been a small fortune based on their new lifestyle. They seemed to enjoy the the ownership experience and had zero working knowledge of that industry beforehand.

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Thanks for the info.

I know someone who owns a roosters franchise. He seems to do alright. Not upper class, just alright. I'd imagine owning a few of them would make a big difference.

FWIW the guy who owns the biggest boat in the Whittier Alaska harbor owns like 8 supercuts. But he opened them way back when the only competition was old barbor shops.

I only go to Great Clips because it's the cheapest. They mail me a bunch of coupons and I put them to work. All of my 5 kids also go to Great Clips.

I've been butchered a few times. One lady even apologized to me after cutting my hair. I don't give a crap--it's just hair, and it's been steadily falling out since I was 35.

I go to the ones that are close to my house. There are 2 within 3 miles of my home. They both seem to do well and if I were to open one, I would find a very large middle class neighborhood that is under development (homes that are 150-300K) and set up shop next to a grocery store.

What about chick Fil a ???

Might as well play the lottery

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What about chick Fil a ???

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Great franchise. Tough to get invited in the club.

I used to go to these places when I first graduated college, but they always messed up my hair. Every. Single. Time.

I now go to a barber who knows me by name, how I like my hair to be cut, and has a beer fridge for customers. Costs the same as the chain stores. I won't be going back to a chain shop any time soon.

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I used to go to these places when I first graduated college, but they always messed up my hair. Every. Single. Time.

I now go to a barber who knows me by name, how I like my hair to be cut, and has a beer fridge for customers. Costs the same as the chain stores. I won't be going back to a chain shop any time soon.

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Same for me. I would be anxious because it was so hit or (more frequently) miss. Now I got to a nice barbershop and use the same lady...they have beer too. I could take a nap and wouldn't worry about getting a bad haircut.

I just got another lousy haircut from the sports clips at bunker hill in Houston which came out to be 25 bucks including tip. I think that's the last time I'm going there. Any recommendations for a decent barber in Houston in the same price range?

If your haircut sucked why did you tip?

Got a buddy that is very high up at great clips. He says 5 is the magic number. 5 stores and a GM and you're making really good mailbox money. Less than that and you're buying yourself a job or a very average investment.

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I just got another lousy haircut from the sports clips at bunker hill in Houston which came out to be 25 bucks including tip. I think that's the last time I'm going there. Any recommendations for a decent barber in Houston in the same price range?

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Dougs Barbershop in the Heights. Mens haircut is $16...I have gone there and had Leonard cut my hair for the last 3 years. The feeling of a straight edge razor to edge up around your ears and the back of you neck, there absolutely isnt anything better

My 2 cents...open up a Fuego in Houston in the Midtown vicinity...and give me an opportunity to be a partial owner!

The ones by me are run by people who own multiple locations so I always just assumed that it was one of those franchises that is simply just replacing your job if you only own 1.

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The ones by me are run by people who own multiple locations so I always just assumed that it was one of those franchises that is simply just replacing your job if you only own 1.

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This is most franchises

My uncle owns three sports clips and it seems a good gig. He has a minimal amount of work doing bookkeeping and hiring but it sounds like he mostly has managers to run the day to day. I think the build out and setup is fairly streamlined for that franchise, employee salaries are low to people straight out of barber/stylist school, men's haircuts are fast and they charge 18-20 bucks a pop. I haven't been in a while but the ones around me always seem busy.

Sports Clips