SPEC Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025
Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC) is a beauty education franchisor that was founded in 2004 in Minnesota and later restructured as an LLC in North Dakota in 2015. The company is based in Fargo, North Dakota, and manages several recognized training brands, including The Salon Professional Academy, Elevate Salon Institute, and Academy for Salon Mastery.
Through its schools, SPEC provides career-focused training programs in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, and massage therapy.
The franchisor launched its franchise system in 2008 and has since expanded to more than 30 locations across the United States. All of its schools are independently owned and operated by franchisees, with no corporate-run campuses.
A key advantage of SPEC is its collaboration with leading beauty brands such as L’Oréal Professionnel and Redken. Depending on the specific school brand, these partnerships strengthen the curriculum and help ensure graduates enter the industry with enhanced skills and professional credibility.
Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a SPEC franchise? It costs on average between $582,000 – $2,023,000 to start a SPEC franchised center.
This includes expenses for facility build-out, furnishings and equipment, educational materials, and initial operating costs. The total investment varies depending on several factors, such as the size of the school, its location, and whether the franchisee opts to lease or purchase the property.
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $49,000 |
| Website Fee | $1,800 |
| Real Estate Improvements | $390,600 to $1,254,000 (with hairstyling), $183,700 to $604,800 (without) |
| Equipment/Furnishings | $392,000 to $411,600 (with hairstyling), $156,800 to $173,250 (without) |
| Exterior Building Signage | $14,000 to $40,000 |
| Initial Training Attendance | $5,000 to $7,500 |
| Computer Equipment/Phone and Alarm Systems | $35,000 to $45,000 |
| Inventory to Begin Operating | $25,000 to $30,000 (with hairstyling), $20,000 to $25,000 (without) |
| Insurance | $6,000 to $10,000 |
| Utility Deposits and Other Prepaid Expenses | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Licenses and Permits | $3,500 to $7,500 |
| Professional Fees | $5,000 to $10,000 |
| Initial School-Opening Marketing and Advertising Funds | $25,000 to $30,000 |
| Additional Funds (3-month initial phase) | $75,000 to $120,000 |
| Total | $1,028,900 to $2,022,800 (with hairstyling), $581,800 to $1,129,850 (without) |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a SPEC franchise? A SPEC franchised location makes on average $1,728,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
Download the Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many SPEC locations are there?
As of the latest data, Salon Professional Education Company (SPEC) has a total of 34 locations across the United States. All of these schools are franchise-owned, and there are no company-owned locations in operation.
What is the total investment required to open a SPEC franchise?
The total investment required to open a SPEC franchise ranges from $582,000 to $2,023,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a SPEC franchise?
SPEC franchisees are subject solely to a 6% royalty on gross revenues, and there is no additional mandatory marketing or brand fund fee required.
Who owns SPEC?
SPEC franchise is owned and governed by a leadership team rather than a single individual. The company is overseen by its Board of Directors and executive leadership, all of whom guide its strategic direction and operations.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. SharpSheets is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any franchisor mentioned on this website. Where noted, figures are taken from the franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). In some cases, we may provide independent calculations or estimates based on publicly available information. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
