DRYBAR
Drybar franchises upscale shops that offer blow-dry hairstyling services in spa-like settings and at off-site locations such as residences, offices, hotels, and event venues, without providing haircuts or coloring. The business model grants franchisees a license to use the Drybar service marks, system standards, operating procedures, and training programs to operate shops typically with 8-12 chairs in upper-middle class retail centers. It targets women seeking high-end, reasonably priced pampering blowout experiences in a relaxing environment.
Franchise Costs
7% royalty + 2% brand marketing fund + $2,000/mo local advertising fee + $775/mo technology fee
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 146 franchised shops open as of January 1, 2024, and operated throughout 2024.
* Average gross revenue and median gross revenue were extracted directly from the 'All Studios' column in Table 1, which represents 146 franchised shops. Revenue top quartile was taken from the 'Top 10' studios average revenue, and revenue bottom quartile was taken from the 'Bottom 10' studios average revenue, as these represent the highest and lowest performing segments explicitly provided within the broader 'All Studios' category.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How DRYBAR Compares
Key Insights
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Personal Care Services
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Personal Care Services
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DRYBAR Current | $410K – $1.0M | $50K | 7.0% | 176 |
| COST CUTTERS | $184K – $336K | $40K | 5.0% | 911 |
| COMFORT KEEPERS | $120K – $191K | $55K | 5.0% | 619 |
| PALM BEACH TAN | $639K – $1.0M | $30K | 6.0% | 398 |
| HOUSE OF COLOUR | $33K – $52K | $30K | 4.0% | 312 |
| WAXING THE CITY | $311K – $646K | $43K | 6.0% | 166 |
Personal Care Services Average 20 franchises | $416K – $816K | $43K | 5.9% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 20 Personal Care Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+25 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for DRYBAR franchisees (2015 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Breach of franchise agreements, tort claims, equitable claims, and consumer protection claims by franchisees related to system acquisition and handling of Brand and System Development Fund monies.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a DRYBAR franchise ranges from $409,979 to $1,029,249. This includes a franchise fee of $50,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 7.0% of gross sales.
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