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.
Franchise Costs
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
How MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS Compares
Key Insights
- One of the lowest investment costs in Specialty Retail (ranked #1 of 46)
- #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 | $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 |
| YOUR CBD STORE | $96K – $151K | $20K | 2.0% | 275 |
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 (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+34 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS franchisees (2010 – 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.
Franchisee Contacts
805 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
| Name | SBA Loan |
|---|---|
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
805 Contacts Available
Unlock all MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS franchisee contacts with verified contact information
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
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 MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS franchise ranges from $47,566 to $260,437.
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