WAXING THE CITY
Waxing the City offers franchises for Waxing Studios that provide a premium studio experience focused on body and facial waxing services for men and women, along with related products and services such as skincare, eyelash extensions, beauty, and brow enhancements. Franchisees operate under the Waxing the City trademark and proprietary System, which includes standardized training, operations, memberships, and must remain open 7 days a week, with the franchisor retaining rights to modify offerings. The business model targets the competitive hair removal and beauty enhancement market, serving the general public seeking professional waxing and aesthetic services.
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% ad fund + $799/mo technology fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 134 franchised Waxing Studios that were open and operating for the entire 12 month period ended December 31, 2024.
* The average gross revenue for 'All 134 Studios' was directly provided in the 'Total Gross Revenues' table. The average revenues for the top 1/4 and bottom 1/4 quartiles were also directly provided. The document explicitly states that the information disclosed in Item 19 does not reflect the cost of sales, operating expenses, or other costs or expenses needed to calculate net income or profit, thus no profit figures or estimates could be determined.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How WAXING THE CITY Compares to Other Personal Care Services Franchises
Key Insights
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Personal Care Services
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Personal Care Services
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
WAXING THE CITY Current | $311K - $646K | $43K | 6.0% | 166 |
| 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 |
| DRYBAR | $410K - $1.0M | $50K | 7.0% | 176 |
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
+20 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for WAXING THE CITY franchisees (2013 - 2025)
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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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Breach of non-competition provisions in Franchise Agreement with franchisee.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
Thomas Leverton (CEO of parent companies) was CEO of CEC Entertainment, Inc. until February 2020; CEC filed Chapter 11 in June 2020, plan confirmed December 2020.
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 WAXING THE CITY franchise?
The total initial investment to open a WAXING THE CITY franchise ranges from $310,774 to $646,420. This includes a franchise fee of $42,500. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a WAXING THE CITY franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a WAXING THE CITY franchise is $514,339. The median revenue is $488,739.
How many WAXING THE CITY franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, WAXING THE CITY has 166 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2010.
Can you get an SBA loan for a WAXING THE CITY franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for WAXING THE CITY franchises. Historical data shows 117 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for WAXING THE CITY franchisees, with an average loan amount of $327,419. The historical default rate is 6.8%.
Is WAXING THE CITY a good franchise to buy?
WAXING THE CITY shows several positive indicators: established brand with 166+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), 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 WAXING THE CITY?
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