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    Great Clips

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2025 disclosure data

    Researching Great Clips franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.

    Reviewed sources

    Great Clips franchises operate hair salons providing haircutting and related hair care services. The business uses locally operated salon locations under the Great Clips brand.

    Headline figures

    Great Clips quick facts

    Is Great Clips a franchise?
    Yes. Great Clips offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2024, it reported 4,439 franchised and 0 company-owned outlets (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 69).
    How much does it cost to open a Great Clips franchise?
    The Great Clips Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $14,000–$46,000 for mda total initial investment (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 29); $187,800 for total initial investment for franchise agreement (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 26). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the Great Clips initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $20,000 (2025 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 18). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    What ongoing fees does Great Clips charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is 6% (2025 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 22). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $5,000 (2025 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 18). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Great Clips disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Great Clips FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2025 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 63). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Great Clips locations are there?
    The FDD reports 4,439 outlets at the end of 2024 (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 69). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
    Is Great Clips 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. 1The 2025 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $14,000 – $46,000 (MDA total initial investment); $187,800 (Total initial investment for franchise agreement); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 23 separate groups: other measures and costs for 2,175 Franchised locations; revenue for 4,147 Franchised locations; revenue for 4,147 Franchised locations; other measures for 258 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 342 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 223 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 291 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 223 Franchised locations; revenue for 223 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 196 Franchised locations; costs and revenue and other measures for 2,175 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 258 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 291 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 196 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 258 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 335 Franchised locations; other measures for 342 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 241 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 289 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 335 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 196 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 241 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 289 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets grew by 12 in 2024, to 4,439 (United States and Canada, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

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

    Franchises under $50kOther 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.

    Great Clips head-to-head

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

    GCGreat ClipsVSFantastic Sams Hair Salons
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    GCGreat ClipsVSDrybar
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    GCGreat ClipsVSASand service mark DRYBAR
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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

    Range across 2 single-unit formats

    2025 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)

    Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.

    • MDA total initial investmentPDF p. 29$14,000 – $46,000
    • Total initial investment for franchise agreementPDF p. 26$187,800

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2025 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 18
    Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

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

    Continuing Franchise FeeMain ongoing fee

    39 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?

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

    2,175 locations

    Costs and other measures · 2,175 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons that provided sufficient data for the Average Operating Cash Flow Statement for the 2024 Period
    Period
    2024: $202,219
    Excluded
    1,972 of the 4,147 2024 Salons provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information and were excluded from the Reporting 2024 Salons.
    Method
    Average expenses and cash flows from financial statements submitted by franchisees; neither Great Clips nor its independent certified public accountants independently audited or verified the statements

    4,147 locations

    Revenue · 4,147 locations

    Who is counted
    Great Clips 2024 Salons in the United States and Canada that were eligible to be open throughout January 1–December 31, 2024
    Excluded
    292 salons eligible as of December 31, 2024 were excluded because they were not approved or authorized to be open for the entire period or were assigned to a new franchisee and changed ownership during the period. The table note states that 103 salons that closed permanently during 2024 are among those excluded.
    Method
    Historical sales data from Great Clips' internal POS system; not independently audited or verified

    4,147 locations

    Revenue · 4,147 locations

    Who is counted
    Great Clips 2024 Salons in the United States and Canada eligible to be open throughout January 1–December 31, 2024
    Excluded
    292 salons eligible as of December 31, 2024 were excluded because they were not approved or authorized to be open for the entire period or were assigned to a new franchisee and changed ownership during the period. The table note states that 103 salons that closed permanently during 2024 are among those excluded.
    Method
    Historical sales data from Great Clips' internal POS system; not independently audited or verified

    258 locations

    Other measures · 258 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $250–$300 annual-sales range
    Period
    $250 - $300 annual sales group: $21,875
    Excluded
    The Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    342 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 342 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $350 - $400 annual-sales range
    Period
    $350 - $400 annual sales group: $375,725
    Excluded
    Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    223 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 223 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in >$600 annual sales range
    Period
    >$600 annual sales group, 2024: $600,081
    Excluded
    1,972 Non-Reporting 2024 Salons that provided no or insufficient data to be reasonably assured of accurate and complete expense information were excluded
    Method
    Historical sales/expenses/cash-flow data reported for 2024 Salons; expenses and cash-flow data based on franchisee financial statements

    291 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 291 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $400 - $450 annual-sales range
    Period
    $400 - $450 annual sales group: $87,014
    Excluded
    Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    223 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 223 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the >$600 annual-sales range
    Period
    $500 - $600 annual sales group: 19.17%
    Excluded
    Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    223 locations

    Revenue · 223 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons with annual sales above $600,000
    Period
    >$600 annual sales group: 72.02%
    Excluded
    The Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    196 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 196 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons with annual sales below $250,000
    Period
    <$250 annual sales group: 9.01%
    Excluded
    The Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    2,175 locations

    Costs, revenue and other measures · 2,175 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons included in the Average Operating Cash Flow Statement
    Period
    Total Expenses, 2024: $743,657
    Excluded
    Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Historical sales/expenses/cash-flow data reported for 2024 Salons; expenses and cash-flow data based on franchisee financial statements

    258 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 258 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $250 - $300 annual-sales range
    Period
    $250 - $300 annual sales group, 2024: $299,885
    Excluded
    Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Historical sales/expenses/cash-flow data reported for 2024 Salons; expenses and cash-flow data based on franchisee financial statements

    291 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 291 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in $400 - $450 annual sales range
    Period
    $400 - $450 annual sales group, 2024: $449,905
    Excluded
    1,972 Non-Reporting 2024 Salons that provided no or insufficient data to be reasonably assured of accurate and complete expense information were excluded
    Method
    Historical sales/expenses/cash-flow data reported for 2024 Salons; expenses and cash-flow data based on franchisee financial statements

    196 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 196 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the <$250 annual-sales band
    Period
    <$250 annual sales group: 101.74%
    Excluded
    1,972 of the 4,147 2024 Salons provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information and were excluded from the Reporting 2024 Salons.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    258 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 258 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $250–$300 annual-sales band
    Period
    $250 - $300 annual sales group: 11.86%
    Excluded
    1,972 of the 4,147 2024 Salons provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information and were excluded from the Reporting 2024 Salons.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    335 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 335 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $300–$350 annual-sales range
    Period
    $300 - $350 annual sales group: 15.40%
    Excluded
    The Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    342 locations

    Other measures · 342 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $350–$400 annual-sales range
    Period
    $350 - $400 annual sales group: 15.72%
    Excluded
    The Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    241 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 241 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $450 - $500 annual-sales range
    Period
    $450 - $500 annual sales group: 11.08%
    Excluded
    Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    289 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 289 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $500 - $600 annual-sales range
    Period
    $500 - $600 annual sales group: 13.29%
    Excluded
    Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Table 3 average expenses and operating cash flow for Reporting 2024 Salons

    335 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 335 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the $300 - $350 annual-sales range
    Period
    $300 - $350 annual sales group, 2024: $349,576
    Excluded
    Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Historical sales/expenses/cash-flow data reported for 2024 Salons; expenses and cash-flow data based on franchisee financial statements

    196 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 196 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in the less than $250,000 annual-sales range
    Period
    <$250 annual sales group, 2024: $249,238
    Excluded
    Reporting 2024 Salons exclude salons that provided no or insufficient data for reasonably assured accurate and complete expense information.
    Method
    Historical sales/expenses/cash-flow data reported for 2024 Salons; expenses and cash-flow data based on franchisee financial statements

    241 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 241 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in $450 - $500 annual sales range
    Period
    $450 - $500 annual sales group, 2024: $499,821
    Excluded
    1,972 Non-Reporting 2024 Salons that provided no or insufficient data to be reasonably assured of accurate and complete expense information were excluded
    Method
    Historical sales/expenses/cash-flow data reported for 2024 Salons; expenses and cash-flow data based on franchisee financial statements

    289 locations

    Revenue and other measures · 289 locations

    Who is counted
    Reporting 2024 Salons in $500 - $600 annual sales range
    Period
    $500 - $600 annual sales group, 2024: $599,834
    Excluded
    1,972 Non-Reporting 2024 Salons that provided no or insufficient data to be reasonably assured of accurate and complete expense information were excluded
    Method
    Historical sales/expenses/cash-flow data reported for 2024 Salons; expenses and cash-flow data based on franchisee financial statements

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    United States and Canada, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of December 31, 2024 of each year.

    2025 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 69

    Net +12 outlets, 2022–2024

    04,42720224,42720234,43920240+12

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2024 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 2025 Item 7 estimate ($14,000 – $187,800) 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 went from 4,427 to 4,439 in 2024. How many new units opened, closed or changed hands?

    • 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 (2025 FDD)

    1. [1]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 18
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons that provided sufficient data for the Average Operating C… · PDF p. 63
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Great Clips 2024 Salons in the United States and Canada that were eligible to b… · PDF p. 62
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Great Clips 2024 Salons in the United States and Canada eligible to be open thr… · PDF p. 62
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $250–$300 annual-sales range · PDF p. 64
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $350 - $400 annual-sales range · PDF p. 64; PDF p. 66
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in >$600 annual sales range · PDF p. 67
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $400 - $450 annual-sales range · PDF p. 64
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the >$600 annual-sales range · PDF p. 64
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons with annual sales above $600,000 · PDF p. 64
    11. [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons with annual sales below $250,000 · PDF p. 64
    12. [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons included in the Average Operating Cash Flow Statement · PDF p. 65; PDF p. 66
    13. [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $250 - $300 annual-sales range · PDF p. 66
    14. [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in $400 - $450 annual sales range · PDF p. 66
    15. [15]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the <$250 annual-sales band · PDF p. 64
    16. [16]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $250–$300 annual-sales band · PDF p. 64
    17. [17]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $300–$350 annual-sales range · PDF p. 64
    18. [18]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $350–$400 annual-sales range · PDF p. 64
    19. [19]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $450 - $500 annual-sales range · PDF p. 64
    20. [20]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $500 - $600 annual-sales range · PDF p. 64
    21. [21]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the $300 - $350 annual-sales range · PDF p. 66
    22. [22]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in the less than $250,000 annual-sales range · PDF p. 66
    23. [23]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in $450 - $500 annual sales range · PDF p. 66
    24. [24]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Reporting 2024 Salons in $500 - $600 annual sales range · PDF p. 66
    25. [25]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 69

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

    Territory & operations

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

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    No verified franchisor financial statement figures have been reviewed yet.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

    Loading…

    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.

    Fantastic Sams Hair SalonsCookie Cutters Haircuts for KidsDrybarASand service mark DRYBARSharkeys Cuts For KidsLemon Tree

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Great Clips vs Fantastic Sams Hair SalonsGreat Clips vs Cookie Cutters Haircuts for KidsGreat Clips vs DrybarGreat Clips vs and service mark DRYBARGreat Clips vs Sharkeys Cuts For KidsGreat Clips vs Lemon Tree
    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

    Reader notes on wording

    Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.

    • Item 12 · PDF p. 49 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Densely populated area Protected Area radius

      “If the Salon is in a densely populated area, the Protected Area is a radius of one-tenth of a mile, as determined by Great Clips in advance of your Salon opening.”

      Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.

    • Item 12 · PDF p. 49 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Protected Area: radius of three-quarters of a mile; one-tenth of a mile in densely populated areas; excludes Non-Traditional Locations.

      “We will grant to you a protected territory defined by a radius of three-quarters of a mile from the primary customer entrance of the Salon (the “Protected Area”). ... If the Salon is in a densely populated area, the Protected Area is a radius of one-tenth of a mile, as determined by Great Clips in advance of your Salon opening.”

      Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.

    • Item 12 · PDF p. 49 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Protected Area radius

      “We will grant to you a protected territory defined by a radius of three-quarters of a mile from the primary customer entrance of the Salon (the “Protected Area”).”

      Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.

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

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