Franopolis

    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources
    Franchising since
    1976
    Source: franchise.org
    Headquarters
    Woburn, MA United States
    Source: franchise.org

    Fantastic Sams franchise operates as a full-service hair salon chain offering affordable cuts, styling, and color services to families and individuals.

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    Headline figures

    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons quick facts

    Is Fantastic Sams Hair Salons a franchise?
    Yes. Fantastic Sams Hair Salons offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 968 franchised and 0 company-owned outlets (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 44).
    How much does it cost to open a Fantastic Sams Hair Salons franchise?
    The Fantastic Sams Hair Salons Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $162,500–$453,000 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 18). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    Does Fantastic Sams Hair Salons disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Fantastic Sams Hair Salons FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 43). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Fantastic Sams Hair Salons locations are there?
    The FDD reports 484 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 44). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
    Is Fantastic Sams Hair Salons a good franchise to buy?
    Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1Opening costs are estimated at $162,500 – $453,000 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 14 separate groups: other measures for 78 Franchised including subfranchisor salons locations; other measures for 78 Franchised including subfranchisor salons locations; other measures for 77 Franchised including subfranchisor salons locations; other measures for 156 Franchised including subfranchisor salons locations; other measures for 155 Franchised including subfranchisor salons locations; other measures for 311 Franchised including subfranchisor salons locations; other measures for 78 Franchised including subfranchisor salons locations; other measures for 78 Franchised and subfranchised locations; other measures for 78 Franchised and subfranchised locations; other measures for 78 Franchised and subfranchised locations; other measures for 77 Franchised and subfranchised locations; other measures for 156 Franchised and subfranchised locations; other measures for 155 Franchised and subfranchised locations; other measures for 311 Franchised and subfranchised locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets declined by 56 in 2025, to 968 (United States, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Franchises under $250kOther brands whose disclosed Item 7 low end fits this budget.Compare outlet trendsPut Item 20 counts side by side with up to 3 other brands.

    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons head-to-head

    Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.

    Fantastic Sams Hair SalonsVSGreat Clips, Inc.
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    Fantastic Sams Hair SalonsVSCookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids
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    Fantastic Sams Hair SalonsVSDrybar
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    Fantastic Sams Hair SalonsVSSharkeys Cuts For Kids
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    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Total estimated initial investment

    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 18

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    57 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    14 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.

    78 locations

    Other measures · 78 locations

    Who is counted
    Top Quartile of311 reporting salons
    Period
    Median Gross Sales
    Excluded
    134 missing12-month reports,28 transferred,11 opened2025;28closed2025 also excluded; none closed had been open12months or less.
    Method
    Source narrative calls figures average monthly Gross Sales; table figures preserved, no conversion. Gross Sales includes business interruption insurance; excludes sales/use/service taxes remitted.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025 of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 44

    Net −162 outlets, 2023–2025

    01,13020231,02420249682025−106−56

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($162,500 – $453,000) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?

    • Reported units decreased from 1,024 to 968 in 2025. What drove the change?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Citations (2026 FDD)

    1. [1]Estimated initial investment — Item 7 · PDF p. 18
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Top Quartile of311 reporting salons · PDF p. 43
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Second Quartile of311 reporting salons · PDF p. 43
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Bottom Quartile of311 reporting salons · PDF p. 43
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Top Half of311 reporting salons · PDF p. 43
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Bottom Half of311 reporting salons · PDF p. 43
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All Locations of311 reporting salons · PDF p. 43
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Third Quartile of311 reporting salons · PDF p. 43
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Top Quartile; franchised and subfranchised salons operating full 2025 and repor… · PDF p. 43
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Second Quartile; franchised and subfranchised salons operating full 2025 and re… · PDF p. 43
    11. [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Third Quartile; franchised and subfranchised salons operating full 2025 and rep… · PDF p. 43
    12. [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Bottom Quartile; franchised and subfranchised salons operating full 2025 and re… · PDF p. 43
    13. [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Top Half; franchised and subfranchised salons operating full 2025 and reporting… · PDF p. 43
    14. [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Bottom Half; franchised and subfranchised salons operating full 2025 and report… · PDF p. 43
    15. [15]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All Locations; franchised and subfranchised salons operating full 2025 and repo… · PDF p. 43
    16. [16]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 44

    "PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD

    Territory & operations

    537 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2025prepaid expenses and other current assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$325,247
    2025total current assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$3,167,450
    2025restricted cash$306,203
    2025accounts receivable net of an allowance for doubtful accountsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$429,809
    2025property and equipment, netMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$859,162
    2025operating leases right-of-use assetMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$271,038
    2025trademarkMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$24,198,967
    2025goodwillMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$20,394,906
    2025security depositsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$35,527
    2025total noncurrent assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$50,485,341
    2025total assets$53,652,791
    2025deferred revenuesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$221,207

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

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    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

    Related research

    Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format, overlapping investment range, Item 20 outlet count and search interest. This is not a ranking or recommendation.

    Great Clips, Inc.Cookie Cutters Haircuts for KidsDrybarSharkeys Cuts For KidsLemon TreePigtails & Crewcuts

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Fantastic Sams Hair Salons vs Great Clips, Inc.Fantastic Sams Hair Salons vs Cookie Cutters Haircuts for KidsFantastic Sams Hair Salons vs DrybarFantastic Sams Hair Salons vs Sharkeys Cuts For KidsFantastic Sams Hair Salons vs Lemon TreeFantastic Sams Hair Salons vs Pigtails & Crewcuts
    Compare reviewed facts

    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.

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