The barber profession is an ancient tradition, dating back as far as 5000BC, cutting and shaving hair with oyster shells and sharpened flint. Thankfully, barbering technology has moved on a little since its humble beginnings. But - at the heart of it - barbering is an historically significant vocation.
So, this is a great time to consider a barbershop franchise.
The twentieth century wasn’t great for male grooming. In previous centuries, male grooming was as elaborate and important as female grooming is today, but twentieth-century men tended to adopt a very Spartan approach to grooming.
However, the 21st century has cultivated a much more open approach to male grooming, and - today - the male grooming industry is worth a whopping $56 bn each year. Barbershop franchises have indeed found their place within the male grooming boom, bringing in around $26 bn in the US each year. Barbering has become one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States.
The twentieth century has also seen exponential growth in the popularity of the beard, especially among younger generations. The Hipster generation, indeed, spends plenty of time preening and styling their beards as well as their hair.
So, barbershop franchises have made a considerable comeback in the US, putting a fresh and welcome spin on the relatively simple and Spartan barbershops of old. Sure, they're keeping hold of the community feel that has always been an essential element of the local barbershop, but many barbershop franchises have begun to inject the sense of luxury usually reserved for women's salons.
The industry is finally recognizing that men want to be pampered too. And why ever not? We all work hard - we ALL deserve a little luxury.
Franchising
All businesses rely on reputation. Indeed, your roster of customers increases once more people have discovered your services. So, starting from scratch with a barbershop business can be a difficult path to tread if you're in competition with other established barbers.
Franchising offers people new to business the opportunity to monopolize on the established reputation of an existing company. If customers recognize your branding, they're more likely to choose you over an unknown.
So, when you invest in a barbershop franchise, you inherit the trusted and instantly recognizable branding of a company that your future customers already love and trust.
On the flip side, independent companies setting up without the support of an established partner often struggle to penetrate the marketplace.
Many independent companies find the first few years of business particularly slow while they develop their reputation. Franchise businesses more often hit the ground running because they have better curb appeal than independent barbershops.
And franchising is a great way to experience expert training because barbershop franchises have a reputation to uphold. So, when you invest in a barbershop franchise, expect world-class training to maximize your skills (and maintain the brand's reputation for excellence).
Many barbershop franchises offer a range of other business support mechanisms, including HR functionality, to help ensure that your franchise business runs in compliance with industry and financial regulations.
If you're looking for a new start, you could do well to explore the excellent opportunities offered by Franchise Direct's portfolio of barbershop franchises. They're waiting to help you take your first step into satisfying self-employment.
Facts About Barbershop Franchises
Men have become more willing to spend money on their personal grooming. The average cost of a man's haircut may traditionally have been lower than a woman might pay, but it's certainly catching up - ranging from $40-$60 for the average cut.
In the 20th century, a man’s haircut would likely be a “short back and sides”; something very simple and straightforward. But, these days, men’s hairstyles are more diverse: most barbershops offer a wide array of styling options, similar to what beauty salon franchises offer their female patrons.
Most barbershops offer additional services, including hot towel shaves, beard trims, facials, hair coloring, eyebrow threading, and even shoeshines.
Top barbershop franchises include V's Barbershop, Roosters Men's Grooming Centers, SportsClips, and The Great American Barbershop. However, a new range of kid's barbershop franchises is emerging, offering diverse cuts and styles for the little fellas.
The Hipster movement is driving the desire for better male grooming, and that same audience is starting to demand sustainable and natural products rather than chemical treatments.
Additionally, passion for male makeup is on the increase, so barbershop franchises that offer makeovers for job interviews and social events are capitalizing on the desire and demand for better male grooming services.
Franchising Vs. Independent
Barbershop franchises, like all franchises, require an initial investment, starting at around $75,000 upward. Of course, most of us don't have that type of cash hanging around in our back pockets, so - to benefit from the reputation and branding of a company that your future customers already rely upon - you'll need to seek funding from a reliable and trustworthy moneylender.
Luckily, banks and moneylenders tend to favor the franchise model because the business has already proven its viability. Franchise companies have years of evidence of customer buy-in, profit, and sustainability, and it's this that harbors the more favorable lending terms for franchise startups.
Setting up a business independent of an established partner can be a tricky path as far as achieving startup funds is concerned. Independent companies set up their businesses without an established customer base or reputation, and owners can rarely demonstrate market viability. For this reason, many independent company owners often struggle to achieve the startup collateral they need to get their new business off the ground.
Independent companies are often slow to establish, meaning that profits come gradually, which is particularly challenging for any new business. Unfortunately, almost half of all independent companies find themselves in receivership within the first three years of operation because they fail to penetrate the marketplace in competition with established businesses.
Franchises tend to hit the ground running, gaining popularity from the moment they open their doors. Benefit from the instantly recognizable branding that brings immediate curb appeal to your new business by investing in a barbershop franchise with Franchise Direct.
Barbershop Franchises
Check out Franchise Direct's excellent selection of barbershop franchises, and offer your skills to the male population of your local town.
You can also check out many more Health & Beauty Franchises here on Franchise Direct, such as: Hair Salon Franchises.