Franchise opportunities compared
European Wax Center vs The Shade
Reviewed figures from each brand's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), side by side. Each figure carries its FDD year and page. This is not a ranking or recommendation, and the two FDDs may cover different years and location groups.
Initial investment · Item 7
European Wax Center
$331,600 – $776,950
2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 27The Shade
$295,250 – $482,300
2026 FDD · Item 7Initial franchise fee · Item 5
European Wax Center
$0.00
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 18The Shade
$49,500
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 12Royalty · Item 6
European Wax Center
6%
2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 20The Shade
8%
2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 14Before you compare
- Both sets of figures come from 2026 FDDs.
- The Shade discloses more than one business format, so the investment range spans formats; the full report breaks them out.
- Only European Wax Center has reviewed Item 19 figures here.
Financial commitment
European Wax CenterEuropean Wax Center
The Shade
European Wax Center
The Shade
European Wax Center
The Shade
European Wax Center
The Shade
System scale & health
European Wax CenterEuropean Wax Center
The Shade
European Wax Center
The Shade
European Wax Center
The Shade
European Wax Center
The Shade
European Wax Center
The Shade
Financial performance (Item 19), by location group
European Wax CenterNo reviewed Item 19 figures
Item 19 groups are shown separately and never combined. Revenue or sales figures are not profit. Net outlet change and turnover are Franopolis calculations from the disclosed counts; turnover is a count-based rate, not a measure of owner earnings.
European Wax Center vs The Shade: common questions
- Which costs less to open, European Wax Center or The Shade?
- European Wax Center: $331,600 – $776,950 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 27); The Shade: $295,250 – $482,300 (2026 FDD · Item 7). These are each franchisor's Item 7 estimated initial investment. The low end of the disclosed estimate is lower for The Shade. At least one range spans several business formats. Estimates are not quotes, and the FDD years may differ.
- How do European Wax Center and The Shade royalties compare?
- European Wax Center: 6% (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 20); The Shade: 8% (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 14). Royalties as disclosed in Item 6; other recurring fees are listed separately.
- Which has more locations, European Wax Center or The Shade?
- European Wax Center: 1,047 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 76); The Shade: 0 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 54). Total outlets from Item 20. Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.
- Do European Wax Center and The Shade disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- European Wax Center has reviewed Item 19 figures for 6 location groups; The Shade has no reviewed Item 19 figures on file. Different location groups are not directly comparable, and revenue is not profit.
Answers restate the reviewed figures above. Not a ranking or recommendation.
Keep researching
Full European Wax Center report
Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure
Full The Shade report
Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure
