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Beauty/SalonRevenue OnlyItem 19: ✓ DisclosedHigh Confidence · 100/100FDD data: 2025 · Fresh

Fantastic Sams Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Fantastic Sams.

Based on 2025 FDD · 11 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
69
B
Moderate-Low Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Health Score
C
58/100
6/7 metrics · High confidence
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
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Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a Fantastic Sams franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Fantastic Sams franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $172K – $462K. Reported owner economics show $48K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.

Startup Cost
$172K – $462K
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
$48K
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
6.6 years
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
3.1%
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costs →Estimate franchise ROI →Check SBA default rates →Browse Beauty/Salon franchises →Compare similar franchises →

Quick fee read: $40K franchise fee · 6% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.

Free decision snapshot

Before you talk to Fantastic Sams, check the numbers buyers usually miss.

The unlocked report ties this brand's FDD disclosures to SBA outcomes, Item 20 movement, fee load, missing-data labels, and buyer assumptions — so you can decide whether this is worth deeper diligence.

FDD disclosure qualitySBA default outcomesItem 20 unit movementFee/cost stressComparable brands
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Fantastic Sams Franchise Analysis

Fantastic Sams requires a total initial investment of $172K to $462K (midpoint approximately $317K), with an initial franchise fee of $40K. The ongoing fee burden is 6% . This is below the industry average of approximately 15.5%, leaving more margin for the operator.

According to Item 19 of the 2025 FDD, the median revenue for Fantastic Sams locations is $299K. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $48K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 15.1% with a payback period of approximately 6.6 years.

Fantastic Sams operates approximately 565 franchised units. However, the brand has been contracting with a 8.6% net unit decline, which may signal franchisee dissatisfaction, territory saturation, or competitive pressure. The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 3.1% is in line with industry norms of approximately 7.2%.

Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.

Analysis based on 2025 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology

Total Investment Range$172K – $462K
MinMid: $317KMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$40K
Royalty Rate
6%
Ad Fund Rate
0%
Total Burden
6.0%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
565
-53 vs prior yr
Net Unit Growth
↓ -8.6%
Year over year
Net Closure Rate
8.6%
From FDD Item 20
Cash-on-Cash Return
15.1%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
6.6 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
3.1%
vs ~7.2% industry avg
Median Revenue
$299K
Item 19 disclosed
Red Flags Assessment
MEDIUM: Significant unit decline
MED ×1
Premium Data

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CoC ReturnPayback PeriodSBA Default RateMedian RevenueEbitda MarginRisk Score
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Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

Fantastic Sams vs. Beauty/Salon Average

MetricFantastic SamsBeauty/Salon Avg
SBA Default Rate3.1%▲7.2%
Cash-on-Cash Return15.1%▼15.5%
Total Investment$317K$250K

Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.

SBA Loan Performance

Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2010-2013). 32 loans across 14 states.

Default Rate
3.1%
Low Risk
Total SBA Loans
32
14 states
Total Loan Volume
$5.2M
SBA 7(a) approved
Avg Loan Size
$161K
Per franchisee
Loan Status Breakdown
28
Paid in Full (88%)
0
Currently Active
1
Charged Off (2.6% by $)
$135K
Total Charged Off ($)
● Paid● Active● Charged Off

Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.

Compare

Fantastic Sams vs The Barbershop A Hair Salon For MenFantastic Sams vs House of ColourFantastic Sams vs The Great American Barbershop

Similar Franchises · Beauty/Salon

The Barbershop A Hair Salon For Men
Limited Data
$207K–$353K
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Limited Data
$33K–$52K
The Great American Barbershop
Limited Data
$265K–$413K
The Barbershop A Hair Salon For Men
$207K – $353K
House of Colour
$33K – $52K
The Great American Barbershop
$265K – $413K
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Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every Fantastic Sams franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is Fantastic Sams's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does Fantastic Sams disclose Item 19 financial performance representations?Learn more →
  3. 3.What is the net unit growth trend over the past 3 years?Learn more →
  4. 4.What is the franchisee termination and transfer rate per Item 20?Learn more →
  5. 5.What do the FDD litigation disclosures (Item 3) reveal about franchisor legal history?Learn more →
Generate attorney questions for Fantastic Sams →Validation call guide →
Data sourced from publicly filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) submitted to state franchise regulators. SBA loan data from public SBA 7(a) records. Information reflects the most recent FDD filing in our database and may not reflect current terms. Always verify with the franchisor's current FDD before making any investment decision. Not legal or financial advice.

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