How Much Does a Great Clips Franchise Owner Make?
Great Clips franchise owners earn approximately $48,000–$82,000 annually per location based on a 2025 FDD average AUV of $399,179 ($382,316 median) across 4,439+ US salons and an estimated net profit margin of 16%. Great Clips is the largest hair salon franchise in the US by location count, with 4,439+ salons across all 50 states and 4 Canadian provinces. New CEO Rob Goggins (January 2026) brings operational continuity after 7 years as President. The salon model benefits from recurring haircut demand — but individual salon income is modest, making multi-unit ownership the primary path to meaningful annual earnings.
Key Takeaways
- Great Clips franchise owners earn approximately $48,000–$82,000 annually based on FDD income data
- AUV of $399,179
- 6% royalty plus advertising fund fees
- Always validate income estimates with current FDD Item 19 data and franchisee contacts
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Great Clips Quick Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average AUV (FDD Item 19) | $399,179 |
| Median AUV | $382,316 |
| Item 19 Disclosure | Yes — 2,014 salons providing data (of 4,171 eligible) |
| Estimated Owner Income | $48K–$82K per salon |
| Royalty Rate | 6% of gross sales |
| Ad Fund | 5% of gross sales |
| Total Fee Burden | 11% |
| Initial Investment | $188K–$420K |
| US Locations | 4,439+ |
| Avg Payback Period | 3–5 years |
How Much Does a Great Clips Franchise Owner Make Per Year?
| AUV Tier | Est. Net Margin (15–17%) | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|
| $250K (new/low locations) | 12–14% | $30K–$35K |
| $382K (median) | 16% | $61K |
| $399K (avg) | 16% | $64K |
| $550K+ (top performers) | 17–19% | $94K–$105K |
Methodology: Great Clips 2025 FDD Item 19 average $399K / median $382K across 4,171 eligible salons (2,014 reporting). FranchiseInvestorData estimates $64K at median with 16% net margin. 11% fee burden (6% royalty + 5% ad) is at the high end for salon franchises. The 16% margin reflects the low-COGS, high-labor model — haircuts require no inventory, just stylist time. Multi-unit ownership is standard — most successful Great Clips operators own 3–10+ locations. Always consult the current FDD.
Why Great Clips Works as a Multi-Unit Investment
At $48K–$82K per salon, Great Clips single-unit income is modest. The model is designed for multi-unit ownership: shared management overhead, territory clustering, and bulk marketing create economics that improve with scale. Great Clips operators typically own 3–10+ locations, generating $150K–$500K+ in combined annual income from a portfolio of salons that can eventually be sold as a package at 3–4x EBITDA multiples.
| # Units Owned | Est. Combined Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $48K–$82K |
| 3 | $144K–$246K |
| 5 | $240K–$410K |
| 10 | $480K–$820K (before management overhead) |
For full FDD data, visit FranchisePayback.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Clips Franchise Owner Income
What is a Great Clips franchise owner’s average income?
Based on 2025 FDD average AUV of $399,179 and a 16% net margin, a Great Clips franchise owner earns approximately $48,000–$82,000 per salon annually. FranchiseInvestorData estimates $64K at median AUV.
Is Great Clips a good franchise investment?
Yes — for multi-unit operators. Single-salon income is modest but the model scales well. Great Clips’ 4,439+ location system, national advertising, and recession-resistant haircut demand create a stable foundation. Build a portfolio of 3–5+ locations for meaningful personal income.
What is the payback period for a Great Clips franchise?
At $188K–$420K investment and $48K–$82K annual income, the payback period is approximately 3–5 years for a single salon.
Where can I find Great Clips FDD data?
Full FDD data are available at FranchisePayback.com.
Related Franchise Income Analyses
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- → How much does a Supercuts franchise owner make?
Bottom Line
Great Clips is the most proven salon franchise in the US — 4,439+ locations, consistent demand, and a simple operational model. The per-salon income of $48K–$82K requires multi-unit ownership to generate meaningful personal income. For operators who build 5+ salons in a territory cluster, Great Clips creates a leverageable asset portfolio with real exit value.
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→ Research FDD data at FranchisePayback.com →
— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026