Brand of Opportunity
Legendary hairdressing brand TONI&GUY has been exploding in popularity since its inception more than half a century ago. Today, business owners from any background can now get a piece of the action.
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The iconic TONI&GUY Group is ready for major U.S. growth...and that’s great news for salon and academy entrepreneurs!
Fifty years ago, two brothers started up a salon in South London with one aim--to provide security for their families. Fast-forward to present day and super-brand TONI&GUY is synonymous with cutting edge style, innovation and above all, top-notch education. So what does an iconic brand responsible for revolutionizing the world of hairdressing do now? Expand, of course! |
The story begins in 1963 in Clapham, South London, where brothers Toni and Guy Mascolo opened the doors to their first salon. Little did they know their principles of pushing the boundaries of creativity and devotion to providing the highest quality of service to every client would catapult the brand to hairdressing stardom. No, 50 years later, with more than 4,000 salons worldwide, TONI&GUY is still growing, and luckily for enterprising beauty professionals, has its sights set on the U.S. With 420 salons already up and running, the brand plans to open another 300 locations in the country within the next seven years. BTC caught up with Debbie Webster, President of TONI&GUY Salons & Academies, to get the scoop on what to expect from (even more) soon-to-be neighborhood TONI&GUY establishments.
THE DESIGN
“We are global leaders in the hairdressing industry. When franchising a TONI&GUY salon or academy, you are not only investing in a brand, but becoming part of the family,” explains Webster. The first TONI&GUY franchise salon opened in Brighton in 1988, and by the late 1990s, the brothers had more than 100 salons in 20 countries. Today, the brand has become the largest independent salon chain in the world. So what makes a TONI&GUY salon stand out from the crowd?
“Our aesthetic is inspired by clean lines, sleek, minimalist, European design,” says Webster. “We take the best of our heritage and have created a ‘Britalian’ esthetic. Massimo Pizzoleo is our designer and a creative genius. When you walk into a TONI&GUY salon or academy, you are instantly transported into our culture. Each salon and academy has a history wall that allows clients and staff to feel that they are part of a family journey.”
She adds: “The typical size of a TONI&GUY salon is 1,400-1,800 square feet, with between 12 and 16 stations. We utilize a double shifting model--renting chairs to stylists in shifts--that allows for up to 30 hairstylists in a 16-station salon. We exclusively use and recommend TIGI Haircare and TIGI Copyright Colour.”
Each station is designed to give a hairdresser 100 square feet of working space. In following these designs, each salon can maximize the floor without minimizing the experience for both hairdresser and client. The design is based on making the salon flow effectively, with a keen focus on keeping the entire experience relaxing for the client.
THE EDUCATION
It might be growing at warp speed, but however big the brand gets, it’s the people behind it that are at its heart, which is why TONI&GUY invests so much in education. It’s tough work, but someone’s got to do it!
“Our education is legendary--we are known in the industry as the hairdresser’s hairdresser. We graduate some of the best new talent in the industry. By joining our brand, you are giving our stylists the opportunity to take their skills to another level,” says Webster. “Zak Mascolo is our Creative Director, and a hands-on leader. Zak’s vision is to upgrade the industry one hairdresser, one salon and one academy at a time. We provide our franchisees with a comprehensive, efficient training system to get your hairdressers on the floor quickly.”
One aspect of that training is the new TONI&GUY Classics education, which has recently been updated, modernized and includes instruction on a collection of cuts, colors, styling techniques and updos.
“We’ve combined the experience of the past 25 years and condensed it down to the classic ten cuts and nine colors for men and women,” comments Webster. “The approaches have been modified with effective techniques that allow students to excel and test out of their program within a quick and efficient time frame.”
THE REWARD
Better education means better stylists...and more money. Stylists are eligible for a $5 price increase annually if they meet their education requirements, and a stylist’s level is determined by his or her years of experience within the brand’s education system. A “typical” haircut starts at $45 for women and $40 for men and goes up to $105 for women and $100 for men. Over the course of a year, those increases can add up quickly.
Webster explains, “Our strategic plan is to open salons and academies within close proximity o each other to allow the opportunity for graduates to interview at salons and to allow career paths for educators to interview to work in the academies. It’s a self-sustaining model with a shared talent pool.”
THE INVESTMENT
So what kind of investment do you need to open one of these high-powered salons? The initial franchise fee is $15,000 for a salon conversion and $20,000 for a new build. An average build out for a salon typically ranges from $190,000 to $400,000, but can vary depending on the size and condition of the current space. Salon conversion is another option that can sometimes be less expensive.
High-quality products and services, world-renowned education and training and a relaxing, spacious place to work. Sound too good to be true? Not at all! To learn more about TONI&GUY or to open your own salon or academy, visit toniguyfranchise.com or call 1-214-273-2287.
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