Great Clips franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Great Clips franchise fee is $20,000 to $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $187,800 to $419,900, with about $50,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Great Clips FDD.
What are the Great Clips franchise fees and investment?
The Great Clips franchise requires a franchise fee of $20,000 to $35,000 and a total initial investment of $187,800 to $419,900. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $20,000 to $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $187,800 to $419,900 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $50,000 |
| US locations | 4,439 |
| Industry | Beauty & Personal Care |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Franchising since | 1983 |
How does the Great Clips investment compare with other beauty & personal care franchises?
Great Clips's minimum investment of $187,800 is at or below the median minimum investment of $270,275 across the 175 beauty & personal care franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 118 of the other 174 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $20,000 compares with an industry median of $42,500.
By minimum investment, Great Clips belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Great Clips FDD?
Verify six parts of the Great Clips Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Great Clips discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Great Clips?
These beauty & personal care franchises have the closest minimum investment to Great Clips:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Natura Hair Removal & Skin Care | $49,000 | $186,000 to $439,000 |
| Supercuts | $39,500 | $183,930 to $317,878 |
| Sweatheory | $35,000 | $192,545 to $728,105 |
| Smartstyle | $39,500 | $182,440 to $324,140 |
| Lemon Tree | $35,000 | $180,794 to $273,939 |
See every brand in beauty & personal care franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Great Clips franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Great Clips franchise ranges from $187,800 to $419,900, including a franchise fee of $20,000 to $35,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Great Clips franchise?
Great Clips lists a minimum of about $50,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Great Clips locations are there?
Great Clips reported 4,439 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Great Clips been franchising?
Great Clips started offering franchises in 1983 after the company was founded in 1982.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Great Clips and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Great Clips. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.