A Sola Salons franchise develops and operates a location that licenses individual salon studios to independent beauty professionals. The franchise owner manages the location and its studio relationships; the professionals run their own businesses and schedule their own appointments. Buying the location franchise and renting a studio as a professional are different opportunities.
This review uses Sola Franchise, LLC’s April 30, 2026 FDD, including Items 1, 5, 6, 7, 11, 15 and 16.
How the salon suite business works
Item 1 describes converting or remodeling premises into individual studios. Typical locations range from 4,200 to 9,000 square feet. The franchisee provides general management, maintenance inside studios and common areas, internet access and specified community and marketing resources. Licensed professionals may include stylists, nail technicians, estheticians and massage therapists.
The franchisee operates within Sola’s standards and approved services. A professional’s independence in running their own business should not be confused with unrestricted discretion for the franchise owner.
Initial investment and franchise fee
Item 7 estimates $950,214–$1,748,296 to begin operating a single franchise. The range includes the $60,000 initial franchise fee for a new franchisee. Under Item 5, an existing franchisee who has purchased a franchise and is open for business may purchase an additional individual franchise at a $45,000 initial fee.
The single-location estimate includes premises-related costs, improvements, furniture and fixtures, permits, architectural work, signage, software, insurance, training travel and initial operating funds. Its buildout estimates are net of tenant-improvement allowances received by recent operators; receiving such an allowance, or receiving it before construction is complete, is not guaranteed.
The table includes $30,000–$70,000 of additional funds for the initial three months, excluding payroll. Impact fees are excluded from the permit estimate. Actual property and construction conditions can increase costs, and the FDD does not provide a guarantee that the estimated funds will be sufficient. Obtain location-specific quotations and budget separately for any real-estate purchase and financing costs.
Royalty and marketing charges
Item 6 lists a royalty of 5.5% of Gross Revenue, subject to a $500 monthly minimum, due on the tenth of each month. Gross Revenue includes rental receipts and other revenue under the FDD’s definition; it is not the franchisee’s profit.
The National Marketing Fund contribution is currently 1.5% of Gross Revenue and may increase to 2%. National-fund and required Multi-Area Marketing contributions together are capped at 2% of monthly Gross Revenue. Local advertising, technology, property-management software and other charges must also be evaluated; the national contribution is not a complete marketing or operating budget.
The franchisor does not promise that national marketing spending will benefit an individual location in proportion to its contributions. Ask how the proposed location will recruit and retain professionals and which costs remain your responsibility.
Site selection and buildout
Item 11 describes site-selection advice and franchisor approval, but finding and obtaining a site remains the franchisee’s responsibility. Sola considers factors such as population density, traffic and proximity to other locations. Approval means the site meets the franchisor’s specifications; it is not a warranty of suitability or business results.
Inspect parking, access, layout, utility capacity, local requirements and the lease’s construction provisions. Ask how the number and configuration of studios affect both development cost and the number of professionals needed to support the location. Avoid assuming that a well-designed space will fill quickly.
Training and management
Item 11 lists a minimum 1.5-hour virtual introduction, six hours of onboarding and development training, and ten hours of sales and operations training. The later sessions may be conducted in Lakewood, Colorado or virtually. Training for two people is included, while travel and living expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility; additional attendees can incur charges.
Item 15 requires the owner or a qualified manager who has completed training to supervise and participate in daily operations full time. Continuing telephone advice and marketing materials are described in Item 11, while additional on-site assistance or conferences can involve fees. This is not an assurance of minimal overhead or effortless management.
Evaluate occupancy and expansion carefully
Test a budget at several occupancy levels and include vacancies, incentives, maintenance and the time needed to license studios. Speak with existing operators about recruiting professionals, retention and local competition. Neither the business model nor a marketing program guarantees occupancy or returns.
Qualified applicants may enter a separate multi-unit development agreement with opening deadlines and separate fees. Assess the obligations and cost of every planned location before committing; additional franchises may use then-current agreements.
Visit the Sola Salons franchise profile for further information. Our franchise research guide can help you assemble alternatives and compare their current disclosures.