Start a First Choice Haircutters Franchise in 2025

Franchise 500 Rank: N/R Not ranked last year

Initial investment: $178K - $304K

Units as of 2022: 327 15% over 3 years

First Choice Haircutters is a hair salon franchise founded by A. Bud Cowan in 1980. The company specializes in haircuts and hairstyles for both women and men. They also offer deep conditioning treatments, color, and highlights, and other products at affordable prices.

First Choice Haircutters started franchising in 1980 and was later bought by brand management company Regis Corporation. Nowadays, First Choice Haircutters has over 300 franchises in Canada. It is actively seeking to add more franchisees in Canada.

Why You May Want To Start a First Choice Haircutters Franchise

Though you may not need any prior experience as a hairstylist, an ideal franchisee has interest in the industry. Potential franchisees should also be good at dealing with people and their needs. They should have business sense and be customer-service oriented. These qualities may help a franchisee run their business smoothly. First Choice Haircutters understands that, when a franchisee has a better time running their location, it's good for everyone involved.

Another thing to consider is First Choice Haircutters' business model. The company runs its business model on "replenishment." Replenishment refers to the idea that people will always need a particular service. In this case, it's hairstyling services. Believing in the simplicity of this classic approach may help a franchisee better grasp the company's goals while achieving their own.

What Might Make a First Choice Haircutters Franchise a Good Choice?

First Choice Haircutters generally allows franchisees to choose their level of involvement with daily salon operations. So, depending on this involvement, a franchisee could be cutting hair themselves or simply overseeing the back end of the business.

Either way, a franchisee should expect to maintain hair services and product sales, proper hiring procedures, and ensure that employees maintain the brand's high standards.

To be part of the First Choice Haircutters team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.

How To Open a First Choice Haircutters Franchise

Before you sign an agreement or begin the franchise process, you should research First Choice Haircutters and compile a list of questions for the corporate franchise team and existing franchisees.

For instance, to start a First Choice Haircutters franchise, the company typically recommends having a minimum of several employees. Are you in an area that would attract these qualified employees? You'll also want to consider how heavily saturated your area is with hair salons. Though some competition is healthy, too much could inhibit the growth of your First Choice Haircutters franchise.

Ultimately, the franchising process begins with you and your due diligence. Corporate support is typically a given, but you must show that you are genuinely interested and ready to work with a prescribed formula.

If awarded a franchise, First Choice Haircutters franchisees may receive support through brand awareness, marketing, research, and construction. Franchisees may also receive hands-on training and continued support after opening their franchise location.

Company Overview

About First Choice Haircutters

Industry	Personal-Care Businesses
Related Categories	Hair Care, Salon & Spa Services
Founded	1980
Parent Company	Regis
Leadership	Matt Doctor, CEO
Corporate Address	3701 Wayzata Blvd., #500 Minneapolis, MN 55416
Social	Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Business Overview

Franchising Since	1980 (45 years)
# of employees at HQ	250
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises in the following international regions: Canada
# of Units	327 (as of 2022)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a First Choice Haircutters 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 Definition: The initial fee paid to a franchisor to join their system What you need to know: Found in Item 5 of the FDD, this may be a flat fee, or may vary based on territory size, experience, or other factors.The franchise fee is an up-front (one-time) cost that a new franchisee pays to the franchisor. This fee is usually due at the signing of the franchise agreement and covers the right to use the franchisor's trademarks, name, and related business systems.	$39,500
Initial Investment Definition: The total amount necessary to begin operation of the franchise What you need to know: The initial investment includes the franchise fee, along with other startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital. This is outlined in a chart in Item 7 of the FDD, showing a range of possible costs from low to high.	$178,280 - $303,700
Net Worth Requirement Definition: The minimum net worth you must have in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company What you need to know: Net worth is the value of a person's assets minus liabilities. Assets include cash, stocks, retirement accounts, and real estate. Liabilities include items like mortgages, car payments, and credit card debt.	$1,000,000 - $1,200,000
Cash Requirement Definition: The minimum liquid capital you must have available in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company.	$250,000 - $350,000
Royalty Fee Definition: A ongoing fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis. What you need to know: Most franchisors require franchisees to pay an ongoing royalty fee, which is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. This fee is typically a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales, but may also be a flat weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	5-7%
Ad Royalty Fee Definition: An going fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis to support advertising or marketing efforts. What you need to know: This may also be called advertising fee, marketing fee, brand fund fee, and more, but the basic purpose is the same-- to support promotion of the brand systemwide. As with the royalty fee, it is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD, and can be a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales or a weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	3%
Term of Agreement Definition: The length of time your franchise agreement will last. What you need to know: Franchise terms are typically anywhere from 5 to 20 years in length, but are sometimes instead dependent on factors such as the term of your lease. Once your term is up, you may have the option to renew your agreement, typically for a smaller fee than the original franchise fee.	10 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	First Choice Haircutters has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory

Training & Support Offered

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

Classroom Training	24 hours
Ongoing Support	Newsletter Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security & Safety Procedures Field Operations
Marketing Support	Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social Media

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Definition: The business can be run from your home and/or a vehicle, and it is not necessary to have a retail facility, office space, or warehouse.	No
Can this franchise be run part time? Definition: This business can be run by the owner on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours per week) and/or as a side business; it is not necessary for the business to be open/run full-time.	No
# of employees required to run	6-6
Are exclusive territories available? Definition: An exclusive territory is a fixed area in which you are given the right to operate and in which no other units of the same franchise may be opened. What you need to know: Territory size may be based on factors such as radius, population size, zip codes, and more. Details can be found in Item 12 of the FDD.	No