The barbershop industry in the United States has evolved far beyond simple haircuts. It’s become a lifestyle business centered around men’s grooming, comfort, and community. Few brands have mastered that transformation like Sport Clips, one of America’s most successful haircut franchises. Known for its sports-themed interiors, premium service model, and loyal customer base, Sport Clips has become a dominant name in the multi-billion-dollar haircare market.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the Sport Clips franchise opportunity represents a proven, scalable business model with consistent demand and strong brand equity. This guide provides a full breakdown of the Sport Clips franchise cost, profit potential, financial requirements, and ownership benefits — helping investors understand if this franchise aligns with their financial goals.
Investing in Sport Clips means joining a brand that combines steady customer traffic with low operational complexity. The franchise’s core strength lies in three things: brand trust, repeat business, and simple management. Unlike food or retail concepts, haircutting services are essential, predictable, and not subject to market fluctuations.
Here’s why investors are drawn to the Sport Clips franchise model:
Proven Business Model: Operating for over 30 years, Sport Clips has refined every process — from store layout to customer retention — creating a predictable system for franchisees.
Recession-Resilient Industry: Haircuts are a recurring need. Even during economic slowdowns, demand for grooming services remains stable.
Strong Brand Positioning: Sport Clips is recognized nationwide for its “MVP Experience,” which includes precision cuts, massaging shampoo, and hot towel treatments.
Semi-Absentee Ownership: Many franchise owners manage multiple locations with professional managers running day-to-day operations, making it ideal for investors seeking scalable income.
Supportive Franchise Network: Backed by corporate training, technology tools, and regional business coaches, Sport Clips ensures that franchisees never operate alone.
Simply put, the brand offers an operationally simple yet profitable entry point into the men’s grooming sector — one of the most consistently performing franchise categories in the U.S.
Founded: 1993
Founder: Gordon Logan
Headquarters: Georgetown, Texas, USA
Industry: Men’s Haircare & Grooming
Franchise Units (Approx.): 1,900+ locations across the U.S. and Canada
Franchising Since: 1995
Sport Clips was founded by Gordon Logan, a visionary entrepreneur and former Air Force pilot who recognized an underserved market — men who wanted a haircut experience tailored to them. Instead of competing in the unisex salon space, Logan built a niche brand designed around the sports culture, male comfort, and service consistency.
The brand’s signature layout — flat-screen TVs showing sports highlights, stadium-style seating, and trained stylists known as “Haircut Professionals” — became its identity. Over time, Sport Clips grew from a Texas startup into one of North America’s largest men’s haircut franchises, now ranking among the top grooming franchises for multi-unit investors.
Today, Sport Clips continues to grow strategically in key U.S. territories, with a focus on quality franchisee selection, strong community ties, and scalable profitability.
Sport Clips takes franchisee support seriously. From the moment an investor signs their franchise agreement, the company provides an end-to-end onboarding and operational framework to ensure every location maintains brand consistency and profitability.
1. Pre-Opening Support:
Site Selection Assistance: Real estate and demographic analysis to identify prime trade areas.
Lease Negotiation Support: Guidance on lease structure and build-out costs.
Construction & Design: Detailed blueprints and store design standards for a professional, sports-themed environment.
2. Initial Training Program:
Manager Training: Hands-on, multi-day operational training at Sport Clips University in Georgetown, Texas.
Stylist Education: Ongoing technical and customer service training for stylists.
Technology Systems: POS training, client management systems, and business analytics tools.
3. Grand Opening Marketing:
Local Launch Campaigns: Corporate-supported local advertising, social media promotion, and grand opening events.
Brand Materials: Pre-approved digital assets, banners, and promotional templates for consistent branding.
4. Ongoing Support:
Regional coaches provide business reviews and store visits.
National conventions and peer networking sessions.
Continuous education through webinars, marketing updates, and operational guides.
This layered support framework makes Sport Clips one of the most franchisee-friendly systems in the grooming sector — ideal for first-time owners or investors expanding into new markets.
Sport Clips does not require franchisees to be barbers or hairstylists. The model is built for executive or semi-absentee investors who can manage teams and follow proven systems.
The ideal Sport Clips franchise owner typically possesses:
Strong Leadership Skills: Ability to recruit, motivate, and manage stylists effectively.
Business Management Experience: Background in operations, retail, or service-based industries helps.
Financial Stability: Capacity to invest in multi-unit growth and maintain cash flow.
Community Orientation: Sport Clips thrives in neighborhoods where owners engage with local schools, sports leagues, and charities.
Long-Term Vision: Franchisees who see this as a portfolio-building investment rather than a short-term play tend to perform best.
Many owners manage multiple Sport Clips locations under a semi-absentee model, with a general manager running daily operations — allowing for scalability and recurring income.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the estimated costs to open a Sport Clips franchise in the USA.
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $59,500 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $200,000 – $300,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $60,000 – $90,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Training & Travel | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Working Capital (3 months) | $25,000 – $40,000 |
| Total Estimated Investment | $375,000 – $550,000 |
Ongoing Fees:
Royalty Fee: 6% of gross sales
Advertising Fee: 5% of gross sales
Term of Agreement: 10 years (renewable)
The investment range may vary based on market size, construction costs, and location type (strip mall, stand-alone, or end-cap). Franchisees can often secure SBA financing or third-party funding options for build-out and equipment costs.
Profitability depends on multiple variables such as location, management efficiency, and stylist retention. However, Sport Clips’ financial performance has historically demonstrated stable margins due to its recurring customer model and relatively low inventory costs.
Key Profit Drivers:
High Repeat Business: Customers typically visit every 3–4 weeks.
Low Cost of Goods: Services are labor-based, so product expenses remain minimal.
Scalable Staffing: Efficient scheduling keeps labor costs optimized.
Upselling Opportunities: Premium “MVP Experience” packages and retail products boost average ticket size.
While profits can vary, well-performing stores often achieve net margins of 15%–20% after operational costs. Multi-unit owners can further enhance profit through shared marketing, centralized management, and reduced overhead per store.
A typical Sport Clips location reaches break-even within 18–30 months of operation. Mature stores in high-traffic suburban or urban areas can generate annual revenues between $400,000 and $750,000, depending on customer volume and pricing strategy.
With consistent performance and community marketing, many franchisees report a return on investment (ROI) within 3–5 years. Sport Clips encourages owners to build toward multi-unit expansion, where economies of scale lead to stronger long-term profitability.
The men’s grooming industry is growing faster than most personal care categories. According to industry data, the U.S. men’s grooming market exceeds $25 billion annually, with strong growth in haircut and beard care segments.
Sport Clips benefits from this trend by positioning itself as a mid-market brand — affordable yet premium enough to attract repeat customers. Prime territories are still available across the U.S., particularly in emerging suburban markets and college towns, where repeat traffic and local engagement drive store performance.
Entrepreneurs exploring franchise ownership can check availability via:
Sport Clips has a clear edge over other haircut and grooming franchises thanks to its unique market focus and consistent execution.
1. Niche Market Dominance: By focusing exclusively on men and boys, Sport Clips avoids direct competition with unisex salons.
2. Customer Loyalty: The sports-centered atmosphere and consistent quality create a strong emotional connection.
3. Streamlined Operations: Limited service offerings mean faster turnaround and simpler management.
4. Multi-Unit Growth Potential: Proven systems allow franchisees to open several stores with predictable returns.
5. Recognized Brand Trust: With nearly 2,000 locations, Sport Clips enjoys strong national visibility, which translates to easier local marketing.
This combination of focus, trust, and repeat business keeps Sport Clips at the top of the men’s grooming franchise sector.
Like any investment, owning a Sport Clips franchise comes with considerations:
Staffing: Recruiting and retaining skilled stylists is essential.
Location Costs: Rent and build-out can be significant in urban markets.
Operational Discipline: Success depends on following corporate systems precisely.
Marketing Consistency: Local promotions and customer engagement are key to maintaining traffic.
Franchisees who understand team leadership and customer experience management typically overcome these challenges effectively.
If you’re seeking a scalable, semi-absentee business with steady demand and low product dependency, Sport Clips could be an excellent fit. It’s particularly suitable for:
Corporate professionals transitioning into business ownership.
Entrepreneurs seeking diversification beyond food or retail.
Investors interested in community-focused, service-based businesses.
Multi-unit franchisees looking to expand into a stable sector.
The model allows flexibility, predictability, and the chance to build lasting equity in a well-known national brand.
Sport Clips stands as one of America’s most consistent and profitable men’s grooming franchises. With its proven business model, strong training system, and loyal customer base, it continues to attract entrepreneurs who value long-term growth and operational simplicity.
For those ready to explore franchise ownership in the booming grooming sector, Sport Clips offers the perfect balance of brand strength, financial potential, and community impact.
Explore similar opportunities today at:
Canada’s advertising and marketing landscape is thriving. As businesses across every industry compet..
Introduction The handyman industry continues to thrive as American homeowners invest heavily in hom..
