From Fantasy Chairs to Birthday Parties, These Franchises Make Fresh School-Year Cuts More Memorable
Back-to-school season is in full swing, and that means families are buying new clothes and scheduling haircut appointments to ensure students have that fresh first-day-of-class look. While getting a haircut can be a less-than-fun experience for some kids, children’s haircut franchises make it more enjoyable with playful chairs, TVs, video games and treats offered in a vibrant, welcoming environment. Many of these salons also offer additional services, including ear piercing, manicures and pedicures, birthday party packages and more.
Entrepreneurs looking to tap into the $60 billion hair salon industry can find a lot to like in these concepts, including straightforward business models, multiple revenue streams and in-demand services packaged in a feel-good business that makes children and their families happy.
Read on for more about children’s haircut franchises that could make the cut for your next investment.
Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids
About: Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids was founded by Larry and Cookie Shelton in 1994, making it one of the first chid-only hair care salons. Kids can feel at ease and have fun in the brand’s in-store play areas and fantasy cutting chairs. Services include bang trims, hairstyling and braiding. There are also services for moms, dads and teens to ensure the whole family can be included!
Worth Noting: Cookie Cutters is sensitive to children with special needs. All stylists are trained to work with kids who have sensory issues, autism, ADHD and more.
Pigtails & Crewcuts
About: Pigtails & Crewcuts has been offering families a more enjoyable haircutting experience since 2004. Services include detailed fades and longer layered cuts for boys, as well as long layers and precision bobs for girls looking for a bold look. The children’s haircut franchise also offers detangling, braiding, fairy hair, blowouts and deep conditioning services. Additionally, kids can have their nails polished and ears pierced.
Worth Noting: In addition to fantasy seats, TVs, bubbles, lollipops and animal crackers to enjoy during the haircut, children get prizes from a treasure chest when the service is over.
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
About: Founded by Linda and Scott Sharkey in 2001, Sharkey’s elevates the haircut experience for kids with a fun atmosphere, gaming stations with Xbox systems and themed car seats. Services range from first haircuts to boys’ cuts, fades and designs, plus tween styling, blowouts, braids and updos. All haircuts include a wash, cut, blow-dry, optional manicure, lollipop, glamour ring, Sharkey’s tattoo and a donation chip, which allows clients to donate a percentage of their haircut to the charity of their choice.
Worth Noting: Linda and Scott’s backgrounds in advertising and entrepreneurship give them practical experience in building businesses and adapting to changing consumer demands. Under Scott’s decades-long leadership as CEO, Sharkey’s has grown to 220-plus locations nationwide, with 78 more in development. International expansion is planned for 2027.
Snip-its
About: Joanna Meiseles founded Snip-its in 1995 with a vision of creating the kind of hair salon experience she wanted for her young kids. The children’s hair salon franchise offers specialty haircut services for boys, girls and parents. Add-ons include shampoo, comb outs, braids, color streaks and blow drying. The brand also has ear piercing, shampoo treatment for kids with chlorine-damaged hair from swimming and party and spa packages.
Worth Noting: Snip-its has its own characters, including its mascot Snips, who guide kids through an interactive “Haircut Adventure,” complete with entertainment and prizes.
Sweet & Sassy
About: Dawn Clarke founded Sweet & Sassy in 2004 to elevate the customer experience in the children’s hair salon industry. The brand’s specialty salon and spa services, combined with retail products and party packages, are designed to provide clients with quality experiences every visit. For example, the Sassy Haircut includes shampoo and conditioning, a customized cut, glitter hairspray and a lollipop. The Sweet Haircut is for children looking for a trim or light refresh while still offering a fun, sparkly finish. With the Sassy’s Ultimate Makeover Experience, kids can express themselves while building confidence. This service is perfect for birthdays and other celebrations and comes with shimmery, age-appropriate makeup, glitter spray for the hair or body, glitter star or heart accents and fun makeover accessories. Kids can also get their ears pierced and nails polished.
Worth Noting: Sweet & Sassy supports veterans with a discount on the initial franchise fee.
