Franopolis

    Waxing the City

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources
    Franchising since
    2010
    Source: franchise.org
    Headquarters
    Woodbury, MN United States
    Source: franchise.org

    Waxing the City operates studios offering facial and body hair removal services. Customers book waxing appointments for selected areas, with additional services and membership options varying by location.

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    Headline figures

    Waxing the City quick facts

    Is Waxing the City a franchise?
    Yes. Waxing the City offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 167 franchised and 0 company-owned outlets (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 64).
    How much does it cost to open a Waxing the City franchise?
    The Waxing the City Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $339,945 for note 13) $34,600 $84,660 as incurred varied times vendors or third parties total (note 14) — 339945 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 27); $310,774–$646,420 for single studio total investment (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 27); $646,420 for total initial investment — high (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 27). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the Waxing the City initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $42,500 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 15). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    What ongoing fees does Waxing the City charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is $100 (2025 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 18). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 2% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 18). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Waxing the City disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Waxing the City FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 61). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Waxing the City locations are there?
    The FDD reports 167 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 64). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
    Is Waxing the City 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 $339,945 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 13 separate groups: revenue for 35 Franchised locations; revenue for 138 Franchised locations; revenue for 35 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 138 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 34 Franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 34 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 35 Franchised locations; other measures for 138 Franchised locations; other measures for 138 Franchised locations; revenue for 34 Franchised locations; other measures for 138 Franchised locations; revenue and other measures for 35 Franchised locations; revenue for 34 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets grew by 16 in 2025, to 167 (Franchised, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

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

    Franchises under $500kOther 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.

    Waxing the City head-to-head

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

    Waxing the CityVSEuropean Wax Center
    Compare head-to-head
    Waxing the CityVSDaVi Nails and Em Lash Studio
    Compare head-to-head
    Waxing the CityVSAmazing Lash Studio
    Compare head-to-head
    Waxing the CityVSHammer & Nails
    Compare head-to-head

    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. 27

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 15
    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.

    te Remarks Royalty FeeMain ongoing fee

    95 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?

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

    35 locations

    Revenue · 35 locations

    Who is counted
    Second quartile of138 full-year Studios; Total revenue
    Excluded
    15 permanentlyclosed (4under12months;2opened/closed2025); others not open full12months. Revenue excludes refunds/credits/remittedtax;chargebacks not deducted. No expense deductions.
    Method
    Reported historical figures; source rounded dollar and percentage values retained unchanged. Quartiles ranked total Gross Revenue. ClubOrange subscription revenues includes1nonparticipating Studio cross-redemptions.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

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

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 64

    Net −111 outlets, 2022–2025

    02782022450202345320241672025+172+3−286

    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 ($339,945) 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 151 to 167 in 2025. 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 (2026 FDD)

    1. [1]Estimated initial investment — Item 7 · PDF p. 27
    2. [2]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 15
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Second quartile of138 full-year Studios; Total revenue · PDF p. 61
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All138 of138 full-year Studios; Total revenue · PDF p. 61
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Third quartile of138 full-year Studios; Total revenue · PDF p. 61
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All138 of138 full-year Studios; ClubOrange · PDF p. 61; PDF p. 62
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Top quartile of138 full-year Studios; ClubOrange · PDF p. 61; PDF p. 62
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Bottom quartile of138 full-year Studios; ClubOrange · PDF p. 61; PDF p. 62
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Second quartile of138 full-year Studios; ClubOrange · PDF p. 62; PDF p. 61
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All138 of138 full-year Studios; Monthly unique counts paidvisit excluding repea… · PDF p. 62
    11. [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All138 of138 full-year Studios; Ticket; tickets perstudio average gross revenue… · PDF p. 62
    12. [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Bottom quartile of138 full-year Studios; Total revenue · PDF p. 61
    13. [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All138 of138 full-year Studios; Retail; tickets perstudio average gross revenue… · PDF p. 63
    14. [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Third quartile of138 full-year Studios; ClubOrange · PDF p. 62; PDF p. 61
    15. [15]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Top quartile of138 full-year Studios; Total revenue · PDF p. 61
    16. [16]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 64

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

    Territory & operations

    235 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
    2025cash flows$1,277
    2025total liabilities and member's equity$5,000,000
    2025other income interest income$146,493
    2025assets current assets cash and cash equivalentsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$19,324
    2025accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses$14,397
    2025vendor rebates receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$8,516
    2025current maturities of operating lease liabilities$835
    2025total current liabilities$38,559
    2025advertising fund revenue$15,979
    2025accumulated other comprehensive income$35
    2025operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities$1,905
    2025vendor rebates$65,858

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

    What changed from 2025 to 2026

    • Franchise fee: $33,750 → $37,500
    • System size: 453 → 167 units

    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.

    European Wax CenterDaVi Nails and Em Lash StudioAmazing Lash StudioHammer & NailsHammer And Nails Salon GroupRadiant Waxing

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Waxing the City vs European Wax CenterWaxing the City vs DaVi Nails and Em Lash StudioWaxing the City vs Amazing Lash StudioWaxing the City vs Hammer & NailsWaxing the City vs Hammer And Nails Salon GroupWaxing the City vs Radiant Waxing
    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 21 · PDF p. 123 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total assets — 2024

      “48,643 57,989”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 123 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Cash — 2024

      “Cash Accounts receivable 4 4 391 3,517 4,303 5,594 3,908 9,896”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 123 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Cash — 2023

      “Cash Accounts receivable 4 4 391 3,517 4,303 5,594 3,908 9,896”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 123 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Total assets — 2023

      “48,643 57,989”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Franchise and license fees revenue — 2024

      “Franchise and license fees revenue 2 11,504 11,617”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Franchise and license fees revenue — 2023

      “Franchise and license fees revenue 2 11,504 11,617”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Operating expenses — 2023

      “68,119 72,555”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Royalties revenue — 2023

      “Royalties 2 25,941 15,271”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Royalties revenue — 2024

      “Royalties 2 25,941 15,271”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Revenue — 2023

      “37,445 26,888”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Operating expenses — 2024

      “68,119 72,555”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Revenue — 2024

      “37,445 26,888”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Net loss — 2023

      “Net loss and comprehensive loss .. (33,745) (46,475)”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Loss before income taxes — 2024

      “Loss before income taxes (33,745) (46,475)”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Loss before income taxes — 2023

      “Loss before income taxes (33,745) (46,475)”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 125 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Net loss — 2024

      “Net loss and comprehensive loss .. (33,745) (46,475)”

      Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.

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

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