Sit Still Franchise in 2024: Costs, Fee & FDD

Sit Still is a vibrant and innovative franchise in the beauty and personal care industry, specifically designed with kids in mind. Founded by a passionate team of entrepreneurs who saw a gap in the market for high-quality, fun, and stress-free kids’ haircuts, Sit Still has quickly gained recognition. The founders’ vision was to create a space where kids could enjoy their grooming experience while parents felt confident in the care and service provided. This franchise stands out for its unique approach to transforming what could be a stressful experience into something enjoyable for both kids and their parents.

The core product and service offered by Sit Still is kids’ haircuts, but the experience goes far beyond a simple trim. The salons are designed with a whimsical, child-friendly atmosphere that makes the haircutting process fun and exciting. In addition to haircuts, Sit Still offers styling services, birthday party packages, and a selection of carefully curated hair care products tailored specifically for children. The core market is families with young children, and the franchise has positioned itself as the go-to destination for parents looking for a reliable and enjoyable grooming experience for their kids.

Sit Still has been expanding rapidly due to its strong market appeal. Currently, the franchise operates in multiple states across the U.S., with a growing number of locations serving thousands of families every day. The franchise is not yet international, but its popularity within the U.S. suggests strong potential for future expansion. Each location typically serves a steady stream of customers daily, contributing to a robust business model that emphasizes both quality and customer experience.

One of the key strengths of the Sit Still franchise is its comprehensive support system. Franchisees benefit from a thorough training program that covers everything from salon management to child psychology, ensuring they are well-prepared to run their own locations. Ongoing support includes marketing assistance, operational guidance, and access to a network of experienced franchisees. This support system, combined with the brand’s strong reputation, makes Sit Still an attractive opportunity for potential franchisees looking to enter the beauty and personal care industry with a focus on the younger demographic.

Sit Still Franchise Insights

1. Sit Still has a total of 17 franchised locations in the U.S., with none being corporate-owned, indicating a strong focus on franchise-driven expansion.
2. The franchise requires an initial investment ranging from $125,000 to $401,000, making it accessible for a variety of investors while still offering substantial growth potential.
3. Sit Still salons see an average of 50-60 customers per day, with a high rate of repeat business from satisfied families, ensuring a steady revenue stream for franchisees.
4. Despite being founded in 2007, Sit Still only began franchising in 2018, suggesting a relatively new but rapidly expanding franchise model.

Sit Still Franchise Key indicators

How much does it cost to open a Sit Still franchise?

Understanding the potential investment size and capital requirements is crucial when considering opening a Sit Still franchise. These financial commitments, including initial franchise fees, equipment costs, and ongoing operational expenses, impact the feasibility and profitability of the venture. Thoroughly evaluating these factors ensures that potential franchisees are prepared for the financial responsibilities and can make informed decisions about their ability to sustain and grow the business, ultimately contributing to long-term success.

Min & Max Investment

Opening a Sit Still franchise involves several key costs, which are outlined in Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). You can see a breakdown of the costs to open a Sit Still below from the most recent Item 7 below:

Item 7 in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is the “Estimated Initial Investment” section. It outlines the total costs a franchisee can expect to incur when starting a franchise, including the initial franchise fee, equipment, inventory, real estate, and other startup expenses. This section is crucial because it provides potential franchisees with a detailed understanding of the financial commitment required, helping them assess affordability and plan their investment strategy effectively.

Required Capital

To open a Sit Still franchise, the required capital involves both the initial investment costs and a net worth requirement set by Sit Still. Let’s take a closer look below:

• Initial Investment As shown above, the total estimated initial investment ranges from $125,000 to $401,000. This includes all the startup costs such as the franchise fee, real estate, construction, equipment, initial inventory, and additional funds for initial operating expenses. Assuming that you will finance your franchise investment, you should plan to have 20% of the total investment amount in the form of equity (cash) for the investment.
• Liquid Assets While specific liquid asset requirements are not provided in the data, a general industry estimate for a similar franchise would suggest needing around 30-50% of the total investment in liquid assets. This would mean having liquid assets of approximately $40,000 to $200,000.
• Net Worth Typically, franchises in the beauty and personal care sector require a net worth that is 1.5 to 2 times the total investment. For Sit Still, this would estimate a required net worth of around $200,000 to $800,000.

How much does a Sit Still franchise owner make?

Calculating the salary of a Sit Still franchise owner involves analyzing gross sales to determine total revenue, assessing operational efficiency to understand profit margins, and accounting for franchisor fees and additional expenses such as rent, utilities, and payroll. Effective management of these factors can significantly impact the profitability and financial success of a Sit Still franchise owner. This comprehensive financial analysis helps estimate net profits, from which the owner’s salary can be derived. A clear understanding of these factors ensures accurate salary projections and financial planning for sustainable business operations.

Sit Still Revenue & Gross Sales

Based on most recent analysis, Sit Still franchises achieved a median gross sales of $293,043, reflecting a continued growth in recent years. This strong financial performance underscores the brand’s robust consumer demand and potential for significant revenue generation.

Which key factors impact the average revenue performance of Sit Still franchisees?

The performance of U.S. franchisee median gross sales for Sit Still likely reflects a combination of factors. First, the increasing demand for specialized services tailored to children, such as stress-free haircuts and birthday experiences, has driven more families to choose Sit Still over generic salons. Additionally, the franchise’s strong marketing strategies and brand recognition, supported by a low marketing fee of 1%, have contributed to higher customer acquisition and retention rates. Another factor could be the post-pandemic recovery, as families are more comfortable visiting salons, leading to a rebound in customer visits. Lastly, the consistent expansion of new locations across the U.S. has likely contributed to overall growth in gross sales.

Sit Still Franchise Operational Costs

When opening a Sit Still franchise, key primary ongoing operational costs to consider include:

• Staff Salaries Given the child-focused nature of the business, hiring experienced and friendly staff is crucial. This includes hairstylists, receptionists, and potentially party coordinators for birthday events.
• Lease or Rent The cost of renting a child-friendly, accessible, and safe location, ideally in a high-traffic area, is a significant ongoing expense.
• Utilities and Maintenance Regular utility bills (electricity, water, etc.) and the maintenance of the salon’s child-friendly environment, including equipment and furniture, will be recurring costs.
• Inventory and Supplies Maintaining a consistent stock of hair products, styling tools, and other consumables like toys or entertainment items for kids will be necessary.
• Marketing and Local Advertising While there is a central marketing fee, additional local advertising, promotions, and community engagement activities are essential for driving foot traffic.

These costs are crucial for the day-to-day operations and long-term success of your franchise.

Sit Still Franchise Fees

When considering the ongoing operational costs for opening a Sit Still franchise, it’s important to be aware of the key fees that will be part of your regular expenses:

• Royalty Fee You will pay 6% of your gross sales as a royalty fee, with a minimum monthly royalty payment of $500.
• Marketing Fund Contribution A 1% contribution of your gross sales is required for the marketing fund, which supports national and regional advertising efforts.
• Additional Fees There may be other fees associated with the franchise, such as technology fees, local marketing expenses, or training costs, depending on the specific terms of your agreement.

It’s crucial to carefully review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and discuss all potential costs with the franchisor to ensure you have a clear understanding of the financial commitments involved in running a Sit Still franchise.

Sit Still Franchise Earnings

Based on the most recent data, a Sit Still franchise can expect to achieve median gross sales of approximately $293,043. For an owner-operator, this translates into estimated earnings of around $52,748. This represents a healthy growth trend in both sales and earnings.

These figures provide a solid benchmark for potential franchisees, demonstrating the potential profitability of the business while also highlighting the importance of effective management to optimize earnings. As with any franchise, actual earnings can vary based on location, market conditions, and the owner’s ability to drive business, but these numbers offer a promising outlook for prospective investors.

How to Open a Sit Still Franchise

Becoming a Sit Still franchisee involves a series of steps designed to ensure both the franchisor and franchisee are a good fit. Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Initial Inquiry You or your franchise specialist submits an initial inquiry basic information about your interest and background. You should also conduct thorough research on the franchise, including seeing all of the information available on the Vetted Biz franchise intelligence platform, including access to the most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
2. Franchise Application After the initial contact, you will need to complete a franchise application. This form provides the franchisor with details about your background, financial situation, and reasons for wanting to join the Sit Still family.
3. Initial Meeting and Discovery Day Once you’ve reviewed the FDD, you will typically be invited to an initial meeting or Discovery Day. This is an opportunity to meet the Sit Still team, ask questions, and get a feel for the company culture and operations.
4. Franchise Agreement If both parties are satisfied after Discovery Day, you will move forward with signing the Franchise Agreement. This legally binds you to the terms and conditions outlined in the FDD and commits you to becoming a franchisee.
5. Financing and Site Selection After signing the agreement, you will need to secure financing (if needed) and begin the site selection process. Sit Still will assist you in finding a suitable location that meets their criteria.
6. Training Once the location is secured, you will undergo a comprehensive training program. This training covers all aspects of running a Sit Still franchise, from day-to-day operations to marketing and customer service.
7. Build-Out and Setup With training completed, the next step is to build out your salon according to Sit Still’s specifications. This includes setting up the space, purchasing equipment, and ensuring everything is in compliance with brand standards.
8. Pre-Opening Marketing Before opening, you will launch a pre-opening marketing campaign to generate buzz and attract customers to your new location. Sit Still will provide support and guidance throughout this phase.
9. Grand Opening and Start of Operations Finally, with everything in place, you’ll host a grand opening event to officially start operations. From here, you’ll begin running your Sit Still franchise, with ongoing support from the franchisor to help you succeed.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Niche Market Appeal: Sit Still caters to a specific and growing market—children’s haircuts and grooming—which sets it apart from generic salons and allows for specialized services.

Strong Brand Identity: The franchise has a well-defined brand with a child-friendly atmosphere, making it attractive to families and creating a loyal customer base.

Growth Potential: The franchise has been expanding steadily, with increasing gross sales and earnings year-over-year, indicating strong growth potential for new franchisees.

Lower Entry Cost: With an investment range starting at $125,000, Sit Still is relatively affordable compared to other franchises in the beauty and personal care sector, making it accessible to a broader range of investors.

Cons

Limited Market Scope: The franchise’s focus on children’s services may limit the potential customer base compared to salons that cater to a broader demographic.

Newer Franchise System: Sit Still only began franchising in 2018, which means it’s a relatively young franchise system. This could imply less market saturation but also less proven long-term stability compared to older franchises.

Location Sensitivity: Success may heavily depend on finding the right location with sufficient foot traffic and a family-oriented community, which could be challenging depending on your area.

Market Competition: While Sit Still operates in a niche market, there is still competition from both local salons and other children’s franchises, which could impact your market share.