Fantastic Sams Franchise

The first Fantastic Sams salon opened in 1974, and franchising began in 1976. The brand grew around a family haircare model serving men, women and children through a broad menu of salon services. The current franchisor was formed in Delaware in May 2003 as Fantastic Sams Salons Corporation. In August 2015, predecessor franchise and distribution entities were consolidated into the surviving company under the Fantastic Sams Franchise Corporation name.

Today, the franchisor is based in Maple Grove, Minnesota, within the Dessange Group North America ownership structure. Fantastic Sams salons combine cuts, shampoos, styling, perms and color treatments with a retail haircare product line. Each salon operates under its own franchise agreement, and qualified developers may commit to three salons under a multi-unit agreement. The typical new salon occupies approximately 1,000 to 1,400 square feet, often in a commercial strip center; the investment estimate assumes equipment for eight styling stations.

Salon investment options

The estimated initial investment for an individual salon is $162,500 to $453,000, including a $35,000 franchise fee and an allowance for three months of additional operating funds. Buildout, salon equipment, opening inventory and launch marketing are major components of the startup budget. A three-salon development agreement carries a $55,000 development fee in place of the individual initial franchise fees. The estimate of $182,500 to $473,000 for that option includes the development commitment and opening the first salon, with the additional salons requiring their own opening investments.

The owner, or one owner of an entity franchisee, and the designated salon manager must complete initial training satisfactorily. Owner and manager classes combine classroom or virtual instruction, generally over three to five days. The new-owner onboarding and Foundations of Success agendas address team development, products, finance, operations, education, marketing, business intelligence and inventory management. Training can take place in Maple Grove, Minnesota, another designated location or virtually. There is no initial tuition charge for the owner and designated manager; travel, living expenses and wages remain the franchisee’s responsibility, and materials, products or additional training may carry charges.

Before opening, Fantastic Sams supplies site-selection criteria, approves the location, helps develop the grand-opening marketing plan, provides the operating manual and approves the salon for launch. The owner equips the salon, recruits the team and arranges required licenses. Employees who perform haircare services must be licensed cosmetologists, and the salon must obtain its required operating license.

Ongoing support includes advice on products and services, marketing and promotions, purchasing, bookkeeping, accounting and inventory control. Stylist education covers hair techniques, selling and the Fantastic Sams system, with regional seminars and other training available during the year. The franchisor administers national and regional advertising arrangements and approves local marketing. Additional requested assistance is discretionary, and owners remain responsible for hiring, compensation, scheduling and the daily guest experience.

Fantastic Sams gives an owner a clear, recognizable concept to build around: a family salon with a full menu of hair services and products for use at home. That breadth lets the team serve different guest needs within one location, from a routine haircut to color or a change in style. The salon format also creates a visible local business where an owner can develop staff, build customer relationships and shape a consistent service experience.

The model can suit an owner who wants to focus on managing a salon business while licensed professionals perform the haircare services. Direct day-to-day owner participation is recommended rather than contractually required, but the owner retains management control and responsibility for the team. With a trained designated salon manager, brand education and a history dating to the 1970s, Fantastic Sams offers a defined operating foundation for an entrepreneur interested in professional beauty services and, where appropriate, multi-salon ownership.

Read more in Fantastic Sams Franchise: Salon Services, Training and Owner Responsibilities.