Franchise 500 2023
2024 Franchise 500 Rank
#44 Ranked #30 last year
See the Full List
Initial investment
$266K - $440K
Units as of 2023
1,896 Increase 0.9% over 3 years

How to Start a Sport Clips Franchise

Sport Clips franchise information

Founded in 1993, Sport Clips Haircuts is a men's sports-themed hair salon providing clients a championship haircut experience at a reasonable price while watching sports on TV. With more than 1,800 locations across the U.S. – in all 50 states – and in Canada, we provide more than 33 million haircuts annually and are continuing to expand across North America. As the first brand to specialize in haircuts for men & boys, Sport Clips has become a dominant brand in the multi-billion dollar hair salon industry that's renowned for our Championship Haircut Experience.

As a franchise opportunity, Sport Clips is hard to beat. We have a long, proven track record of helping entrepreneurs achieve greater freedom, a more flexible lifestyle, and a firm foundation for the future. Our straightforward business model is designed to scale, offers tremendous unit-level economics, and provides an essential service that won't be automated out of existence. As long as men have hair, Sport Clips will always be in demand to offer an mvp experience.

With excellent training and support resources designed to help each franchisee succeed, Sport Clips starts you off on the right foot in getting your stores opened, developing a positive environment for team members and building our clientele.

  • Site selection and third-party financing assistance
  • Store construction and set-up
  • Pre-opening procedures and post-opening follow up
  • Stylist recruitment guidance
  • Grand Opening plans and a dedicated team to assist you every step of the way
  • Neighborhood marketing plans
  • Networking and learning opportunities at local Leaderships and National Huddles

The popularity of the Sport Clips franchise opportunity is evident in the brand's overall ranking of 24th on this year's Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500 list. This ranking is the 10th consecutive year that Sport Clips has landed in the top-100 franchises on this prestigious annual list. The growth of newly established units is up 3.1% over the past three years alone.

How much does a Sport Clips franchise cost?

To open a Sport Clips haircuts franchise of your own, here are the financial requirements, cash required, and ongoing franchise fees associated with business ownership:

  • Initial franchise fee: $30,000 - $69,500
  • Initial investment: $266,300 - $439,500
  • Net worth requirement: $400,000
  • Cash requirement: $200,000
  • Veterans incentives: 20% off franchise fee
  • Royalty fee: 6%
  • Ad royalty fee: 5%
  • Term of agreement: 5 years

 

The brand does not offer direct access to financing, but they do have relationships with third-party lenders who can help franchisees secure the funds necessary to invest in a Sport Clips franchise. Specifically, these lenders offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and payroll.

How much does a Sport Clips franchise owner make?

This is among the most common - and perhaps most important – questions that franchisees have when evaluating franchise opportunities. You want to know if the business you're going to invest in lives up to its promises – or to put it another way, that the risk will be worth the reward. Sport Clips operates in a $75 billion recession-resistant industry with repeat customers. After years of success, the Sport Clips business model has proved a scalable investment. Sport Clips recently published our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which goes into comprehensive detail as to the financial performance of our franchised stores. The FDD reports on all of our franchise locations in operations during 2018, 2019, and for a minimum of 39 weeks during 2020 – and we couldn't be prouder of the results. In the U.S., a franchise owner usually earns $75,000 to $125,000 annually. This is definitely much more than the average college graduate salary of $50,000, which is what most graduates earn in an entry level position.

"Sport Clips is unstoppable," says Jim Atkinson, Sport Clips vice president of franchise development. "We just went through an incredible event – something that we only see once in a lifetime. We've shown that there's nothing that we can't get through if we stay rooted in our culture as a brand. Our franchisees felt the impact during the government mandated shutdowns, but our strong culture enabled us to pull together to minimize the economic impact. We believe in and practice the art of Kaizen, always looking for continuous incremental improvement in all aspects of our operations. We're better this year than we were last year, and we'll be better next year! There's still a lot of runway left, and the future is bright for Sport Clips."

Why invest in a Sport Clips franchise?

If you're seeking a path to financial independence, a way to transition out of the corporate world, and want to take control of your future? Investing in a Sport Clips Franchise can offer a path to business ownership. As a franchise opportunity, Sport Clips is hard to beat. We have a long, proven track record of helping entrepreneurs achieve greater freedom, a more flexible lifestyle, and a firm foundation for the future. Our straightforward business model is designed to scale, offers tremendous unit-level economics, and provides an essential service that won't be automated out of existence. As long as men have hair, Sport Clips talented hair care professionals will always be in demand.

One of the key advantages of franchising with Sport Clips is that you don't have to leave your career – in fact, we insist you keep your day job. Our business model is unlike many other franchise concepts in that we encourage each team leader to work on and not in the business. You will hire a store manager who will oversee the day-to-day operations of your store, manage your professional stylists, and deliver the Championship Haircut Experience your customers expect and deserve.

As an owner, your role will primarily be a supportive one. You will be responsible for creating a family-like culture that empowers your team to do exceptional work. By developing an incredible team, you will be able to focus on growing your business, implementing marketing strategies, and taking care of the administrative duties on the back end. As a rule, we expect our Team Leaders to spend around 10-15 hours per week on their stores – that's it. In other words, owning a Sport Clips haircuts franchise is as straightforward as a business can get.

The simplicity of our business model allows our Team Leaders to scale up to multi-unit ownership quickly. We're proud so many Team Leaders are multi-unit operators and continue to reinvest in the brand. In fact, Sport Clips is home to several double-digit owners who have 10, 20, 30, and 40 stores open – with plans to continue expanding! Sport Clips haircuts has one of the highest franchise continuity rates in the industry. This means our Team Leaders stay in their businesses, their businesses stay open, and our franchise network gets stronger and stronger. As an investor exploring business opportunities, this should matter to you. Our high franchise continuity rate means we offer stability, confidence, and potential for long-term growth.

This commitment to our culture is firmly rooted in our values. We empower everyone in our organization, from our leadership team to our Team Leaders to our store managers and stylists, to have a heart of a champion. These are the values that we live and breathe every day:

  • Always do the right thing
  • Do your best
  • Treat others the way they want to be treated

As an owner, your most essential role will be in building and developing a team. You will need to create a company culture that feels like family, that makes everyone feel appreciated. In turn, you will have a store where the most talented stylists will want to work. Request more information about franchising with Sport Clips by filling out this form to learn more and begin our discovery process for your very own franchise location!

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now and take this quiz to find the personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests, and budget.

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Company Overview

About Sport Clips

Industry Personal-Care Businesses
Related Categories Hair Care, Salon & Spa Services
Founded 1993
Parent Company Sport Clips Inc.
Leadership Edward Logan, CEO & President
Corporate Address 110 Sport Clips Wy.
Georgetown, TX 78628
Social Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
Sponsored Content

More from Sport Clips

Why Open A Haircut Franchise?

If you’re looking for a smart investment in a $75 billion recession resistant industry with repeat customers, you may want to consider the hair care industry. The Sport Clips model of semi-absentee/manager-style allows you as the franchisee to work on your business, not in your business. While there are several business models and target audience options within the hair care space, men’s hair care may be especially appealing to those looking for a potential and stable cash business with minimal inventory requirements and simple to execute operations.

About Sport Clips Haircuts

Founded in 1993, Sport Clips Haircuts is a men’s sports-themed hair salon providing clients a championship haircut experience at a reasonable price while watching sports on TV. With more than 1,800 locations across the U.S. – in all 50 states – and in Canada, we provide more than 33 million haircuts annually and are continuing to expand.

Take Control of Your Future with Sport Clips

Achieve Greater Freedom

Enjoy an opportunity for greater freedom and reach your personal and financial goals growing a business on your terms that will always be in demand and has recurring revenue.

Achieve A Flexible Lifestyle

Typically, this is a multi-unit, scalable investment opportunity business you can own on the side and grow over time. The transitional business model aims to put you on the path to exit your day job once maturity in your stores is achieved.

Achieve A Firm Foundation

It is ideal for diversifying your current business, investments and/or retirement strategy. Haircutting is also considered to be relatively resistant to economic conditions, can't be outsourced, and when tough times cause consumers to pull back from eating out and discretionary personal services, haircuts continue. Franchisees experience high loyalty and stability with regular clients returning every 4-6 weeks.

Join the Sport Clips Team

Ideal candidates and existing franchisees come from all walks of life however those with senior or executive level experience and have strong leadership, managerial and communications skills often do best as this business is about managing relationships and people. Sport Clips is also a great business for two (Husband/Wife) or other teams. Many franchisees engage their children in the process making it a great family business.

Build a Solid Business with an Industry Leader

With excellent training and support resources designed to help our franchisees succeed, Sport Clips starts you off on the right foot in getting your stores opened, developing a positive team environment and building our clientele.

  • Site selection and third-party financing assistance
  • Store construction and set-up
  • Pre-opening procedures and post-opening follow up
  • Stylist recruitment guidance
  • Grand Opening plans and a dedicated team to assist you every step of the way
  • Neighborhood marketing plans
  • Networking and learning opportunities at local Leaderships and National Huddles

Testimonial

“We wanted to invest in a franchise that was stable and predictable, and what's more certain than hair cuts? People need to get their hair cuts every four to five weeks, and this isn't something that they can put off or do themselves. It's also something that won't be automated out of existence by new technology. People will always need haircuts, and that's why we invested in Sport Clips.”– Michael and Caline Wills, Franchisee

Imagine what you could do with a team like this!

Sport Clips - Clean Certified

Business Overview

Franchising Since 1995 (29 years)
# of employees at HQ 197
Where seeking

This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.

This company is offering new franchises in the following international regions: Canada

# of Units 1,896 (as of 2023)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Sport Clips franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Information Circle
$30,000 - $69,500
Initial Investment Information Circle
$266,300 - $439,500
Net Worth Requirement Information Circle
$400,000
Cash Requirement Information Circle
$200,000
Veteran Incentives Information Circle
20% off franchise fee
Royalty Fee Information Circle
6%
Ad Royalty Fee Information Circle
5%+
Term of Agreement Information Circle
5 years
Is franchise term renewable? Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

Third Party Financing Sport Clips has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training 43.5 hours
Classroom Training 85 hours
Ongoing Support
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed? Yes
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Information Circle
No
Can this franchise be run part time? Information Circle
No
# of employees required to run 8
Are exclusive territories available? Information Circle
No

Franchise 500 Ranking History

Compare where Sport Clips landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.

Additional Rankings

Curious to know where Sport Clips ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022