How many MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS franchise locations are there?

As of the 2025 FDD, MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS has 797 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1934.

Can you get an SBA loan for a MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS franchise?

Yes, SBA loans are available for MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS franchises. We have historical SBA 7(a) loan data on file including approval counts, average loan amounts, and default rates. Get full access to see the complete SBA loan history.

Is MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS a good franchise to buy?

MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS shows several positive indicators: established brand with 797+ 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.

Loading FDD preview...

Unlock FDD download

Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase

The only franchise database you can use inside ChatGPT, Claude & Cursor. Learn more →

1,700+ FDDs structured for franchise professionals

We extract fees, Item 19 financials, franchisee contacts, SBA default rates, litigation, and outlet data from every FDD — so you can compare brands in minutes, not months. Used by multi-unit operators, consultants, and franchise development teams.

MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS

Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. franchises independently-owned retail stores called 'Studios' that sell high-quality proprietary skin care, color cosmetics, and related products manufactured by the franchisor, while providing free individualized makeover lessons and customer instruction. The business model centers on distributing Merle Norman products through these Studios, with franchisees required to purchase initial inventory packages, adhere to merchandising and operational standards, and focus primarily on MN Products. The target market includes consumers seeking cosmetics priced between department stores and drug stores, emphasizing personalized service and product education in a professional studio environment.

797locations

$48K–$260K

Since 1934

RetailLos Angeles, CAwww.merlenorman.comDisclaimer

Loading preview...

Unlock FDD download

Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase

Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee

Initial Investment

$47,566 – $260,437

Royalty Rate

N/A

Brand Fund

N/A

Fixed Monthly Fees

$25 – $67

No royalty or ad fund + $300/yr ($25/mo) POS support required first year + optional $28/mo email marketing + $14/mo SMS + $144/yr social media

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

Unlock financial performance data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports

Unlock financial performance data

MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS Franchise Analysis

With nearly a century of franchising under its belt, Merle Norman Cosmetics has built a loyal following in the cosmetics retail space, yet recent system data hints at underlying challenges that could make or break your investment decision. Franchise Disclosure Documents reveal intriguing patterns in location counts and financial backing, but the absence of Item 19 earnings data leaves a critical gap. Is this a stable legacy brand ripe for revival, or a sign of fading momentum?

Item 7 in the 2025 FDD pegs initial investment at $47,566 to $260,437 for a Studio, covering build-out, inventory, and opening costs—on the lower end for retail but with a wide range signaling variability by location and setup. Remarkably, there are no ongoing royalties or ad fund contributions, just a $300 annual POS support fee in year one and optional digital marketing add-ons ($28/mo email, $14/mo SMS, $144/yr social). The lack of Item 19 disclosure is a major red flag—no validated revenue or profit figures from franchisees means you're flying blind on earnings potential, forcing reliance on anecdotal reports or your own projections.

System health shows contraction from 831 units in 2023 to 797 in 2024 (-4%), with only 14 projected new units amid 4 terminations and a high 32 transfers—suggesting some owners are exiting or swapping shops. SBA data adds context: 35 loans averaging $91,074 with an 8.6% default rate, better than many retail concepts but not stellar. This 90-year-old brand's low-fee model appeals to owner-operators in personalized cosmetics, but shrinking footprint and opaque financials demand caution; proven staying power meets modern headwinds in a competitive beauty market.

Unlock full analysis

Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.

How MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS Compares

Key Insights

One of the lowest investment costs in Specialty Retail (ranked #1 of 47)
#1 largest franchise system in Specialty Retail
Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Specialty Retail

Franchise	Investment	Fee	Royalty	Locations
MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS Current	$48K – $260K	N/A	N/A	797
CORNWELL	$80K – $324K	N/A	N/A	793
BATTERIES PLUS	$285K – $537K	$50K	5.0%	601
PET SUPPLIES PLUS	$537K – $2.0M	$50K	3.0%	502
WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED	$227K – $379K	$40K	4.0%	340
MUSIC-GO-ROUND	$346K – $460K	$25K	5.0%	309
Specialty Retail Average 47 franchises	$284K – $703K	$39K	5.0%	–

* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 47 Specialty Retail franchises by location count.