Nail salon franchises are one way aspiring salon professionals can dip their toe into the world of nail business ownership. Franchises are existing brands or chains that allow business-minded folks to run operations on the company’s behalf to earn a profit, in exchange for a percentage of revenue. Franchises are a less risky model than starting your own business, though they still come with their own unique challenges. 

This article will explore the current state of the nail industry and the pros and cons of owning a franchise, plus nail salon franchise costs, how to choose one, and a list of the top nail salon chains to invest in. 

An Overview of the Nail Industry

An increasing number of people have turned their focus toward self-care and grooming over the past few years, with the nail industry in particular experiencing exponential growth. Some data places the value of the professional nail space at around $11 billion as recently as 2022, with an expected CAGR of 8% until 2030. 

While the average growth rate for most occupations lies between 3% and 4%, the job outlook for nail pros is much faster, at around 12% (and expected to remain consistent until 2033). With the professional nail market size expected to double within the next 10 years to over $23 billion dollars, that leaves a lot of opportunity for business or franchise owners to carve their own path forward. 

Pros and Cons of Owning a Nail Salon Franchise

Before you jump into franchising, it’s important to review the various pros and cons that come with pursuing this type of business venture. 

Pros of owning a nail salon franchise

Here are some of the benefits of owning a nail salon franchise: 

Franchising gives you an established brand to work with

Unlike starting your own nail business from scratch, a franchise is an established nail salon chain that comes with an existing customer base and reputation, making it possible to hit the ground running. 

Franchise owners receive training

With a franchise, you can get ongoing support from the franchisor rather than having to go it alone. Franchisor support can cover several elements of running the business, such as marketing, sales, and employee management. 

Franchises often negotiate better deals 

Some franchises have existing deals with vendors and suppliers to make it easier to obtain the right equipment and tools for the business. You can typically get better deals for bulk orders or preset packages, which can save you money. 

Cons of owning a nail salon franchise

Below are some disadvantages of running a nail spa franchise: 

Strict guidelines

Nail salon franchises come with their own unique rules and guidelines for ownership. Franchisees have limited freedom to run the business exactly how they want – even if it’s for the better – and typically must adhere to the franchisor's standards. 

Big responsibility

While nail spa franchises offer prospective owners a lower risk of failure, franchisees still bear the responsibility for the business’ daily operations as well as the success of their nail salon. Running a franchise is never a guaranteed success, regardless of how popular the chain already is. 

High upfront cost

The initial nail salon franchise costs can be high, depending on the type of starting capital and fees involved. If you don’t have the money or can’t obtain a loan (or any other type of financial assistance), it can be nearly impossible to get into the game. 

Nail Salon Franchise Cost

So how much does it cost to buy a nail salon franchise? It depends on the franchise, training needs, and startup guidelines. Many nail franchises have costs ranging from $100,000 to $600,000, and this may or may not include the initial franchise fees. 

Some common franchise fees include: 

The initial franchise fee

This is a one-time fee paid upfront upon signing the franchise agreement, and typically ranges in cost from $20,000 to $75,000. 

Royalty fees

Royalty fees are ongoing fees you pay the franchise corporation, usually taken from a percentage of the business’ gross sales. These fees are often due monthly and typically fall between 5% and 10%. 

Inventory fees

This is also dependent on the nail salon franchise, but expect to spend anywhere between $500 and $5,000 to purchase approved equipment, materials, and any other products you may need to open the salon. 

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7 Best Nail Salon Franchises to Own

Nail salon franchises offer aspiring business owners a chance to break into the industry and start earning a profit. Some franchises you can own include: 

1. Regal Nails Salon & Spa

Regal Nails is a popular salon and spa chain. With high hygiene and sanitization standards, Regal Nails offers quality, luxury, and affordability to its many thousands of regular patrons, and has over 800 locations across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. 

Regal Nails Salon & Spa has an initial franchise fee of $25,000, but the overall investment can cost between $170,000 and $760,000 to cover building, lease space, insurance premiums, licenses, and advertising. 

2. MiniLuxe Nail Salon

MiniLuxe Nail Salon seeks to revolutionize the nail industry by going beyond the basic salon experience, offering additional services tailored towards wellness and self-care. Their commitment to ultra-sanitary practices and quality customer service makes them a consistently popular choice. MiniLuxe is known for worker empowerment, offering benefits and support to their many franchisees. 

The total investment cost for a MiniLuxe salon falls between $500,000 and $1,000,000, and you must have liquid capital worth of $300,000. 

3. Frenchies Modern Nail Care

Frenchies provides a modern nail spa experience for its customer base. With 25 locations across the US, this quickly growing franchise offers clean locations, free of chemical smells and hospital-grade cleaning processes. 

To own a Frenchies, you’ll need an initial investment of at least $50,000. However, depending on your location and units, your total investment can cost up to $500,000. 

4. Paintbase Nail Salon

Paintbase Nail Salon is a growing, women-owned and led franchise. With almost 40 locations in the United States, Paintbase offers franchisees a strong brand to work with, with the convenience and affordability that clients crave. Paintbase takes their sanitization seriously, and their commitment to a modern, quality nail salon experience is what keeps clients coming back for more. 

The initial investment for Paintbase is $30,000, though the total investment ranges from $250,000 to $350,000. 

5. Bellacures

Originating in Beverly Hills, Bellacures is a popular Los Angeles chain that creates a relaxing, luxury experience for all of their clients. Bellacures offers an array of services like acrylics, silks, and even waxing. Each client gets a newly opened pouch of tools to ensure every nail appointment remains clean and bacteria-free. 

Franchising a Bellacures requires $250,000 liquid capital, with a minimum net worth of at least $500,000. Your total investment can range between approximately $200,000 and $400,000. 

6. Nail Garden

With several locations across the western and southern United States, Nail Garden is a full service nail boutique that offers affordable prices coupled with a soothing atmosphere and hygienic environment. They go above and beyond the standard mani/pedi experience, offering extras like facials and waxing. 

Nail Garden’s initial franchise fee is around $30,000, but you’ll need a total investment between $220,000 and $360,000 to get your business going. 

7. Freecoat Nails

Freecoat Nails offers an upscale salon experience focused on non-toxic service practices, such as high-grade filtration that provides toxin- and fume-free sessions, vented manicure tables, and jet-free pedicure tubs to cut down on bacterial transmission. Even their nail polishes are free of many common toxic ingredients that come in standard polishes. 

The total investment for a Freecoat Nails franchise, including the franchise fee, ranges between $220,000 and $563,000. 

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4 Aspects to Consider Before Owning a Nail Salon Franchise

Now that you’ve learned the pros, cons, and costs of franchising, there are a few other things you’ll need to consider before you get started: 

1. The local market

Before you sign up for a franchise, consider the economic conditions and demand in your local market. If your region is struggling for basic amenities, a fancy nail franchise may not do as well. A saturated market will also be tougher to succeed in, so it’s important you take an honest assessment of your prospective business locale.

2. Foot traffic, visibility, accessibility 

Your nail salon franchise’s accessibility, visibility, and proximity to complementary businesses can highly affect your franchise’s popularity. A salon that’s hard to find or way off the beaten path can make it challenging for potential customers to find you, or some may prefer the convenience of a place near other businesses – such as in a plaza or shopping mall. 

3. The upfront investment 

While the right management can make them quite lucrative, franchises are often costly to start. You’ll have to consider the many franchise fees, equipment costs, and working capital before you can buy in, which can be a dealbreaker without the right financial assistance. 

4. The franchise agreement

Always read the fine print of a franchise agreement to ensure you know what you’re signing up for. While franchises aren’t looking to outwardly deceive franchisees, there can be some complex language involved that makes it challenging to understand what terms you’re agreeing to exactly. If you’re not sure you can stay in compliance with the guidelines, it may not be the right fit for you. 

Start Your Nail Business With GlossGenius

Owning a nail salon franchise can be a smart business opportunity for aspiring nail professionals. Franchising gives you the business ownership training you need to learn more about your industry and the corporate side of things. It can even provide you with the right experience to eventually start your own independent nail salon. 

Whether you invest in a nail salon franchise or try your luck on a solo endeavor, GlossGenius is here to help. Our Online Booking features make it simple for clients to schedule or rebook their appointments at your salon, while Finances can help you keep track of expenses and profits, keeping you organized for tax season. Genius Loans will also provide up to $250,000 in funding with no personal credit check to help you get started. 

Try GlossGenius today for a 14-day free trial!