BUFF CITY SOAP
Buff City Soap Franchising, LLC offers franchises for Buff City Soap® retail shops called 'Makeries' that sell upscale, plant-based body, facial, bath, shower, laundry, personal, and home care products free of harsh chemicals, detergents, and animal fats, along with on-site customization, soap-making demonstrations, private parties, and classes. Franchisees must follow a proprietary system including specific layouts, equipment, product formulations sourced from the franchisor or affiliates, and an experiential shopping environment to differentiate in the competitive personal care market. The target market includes male and female consumers from adolescence through late adulthood across metropolitan, urban, rural, and tertiary areas.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
6% royalty + 2% brand fund + $500/mo technology + $119/mo loyalty + $22/mo Appointedd + optional $474/mo COMO
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How BUFF CITY SOAP Compares to Other Specialty Retail Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 80% of Specialty Retail franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Specialty Retail
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Specialty Retail
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFF CITY SOAP Current | $395K - $1.3M | $50K | 6.0% | 262 |
| MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS | $48K - $260K | N/A | N/A | 797 |
| CORNWELL | $80K - $324K | N/A | N/A | 793 |
| BATTERIES PLUS | $263K - $497K | $45K | 5.0% | 604 |
| PET SUPPLIES PLUS | $537K - $2.0M | $50K | 3.0% | 502 |
| WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED | $227K - $379K | $40K | 4.0% | 340 |
Specialty Retail Average 46 franchises | $285K - $708K | $38K | 5.0% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 46 Specialty Retail franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+19 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for BUFF CITY SOAP franchisees (2019 - 2024)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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262 franchisee contacts on file. Upgrade to see names, locations, phone numbers, and matched SBA loan data.
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a BUFF CITY SOAP franchise?
The total initial investment to open a BUFF CITY SOAP franchise ranges from $395,427 to $1,278,424. This includes a franchise fee of $50,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How many BUFF CITY SOAP franchise locations are there?
As of the 2024 FDD, BUFF CITY SOAP has 262 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2018.
Can you get an SBA loan for a BUFF CITY SOAP franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for BUFF CITY SOAP franchises. Historical data shows 23 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for BUFF CITY SOAP franchisees, with an average loan amount of $369,443. The historical default rate is 8.7%.
Is BUFF CITY SOAP a good franchise to buy?
BUFF CITY SOAP shows several positive indicators: established brand with 262+ locations, low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in BUFF CITY SOAP?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if BUFF CITY SOAP is the right fit for you.
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