ScorecardWorth It?HistoryDatabaseCompareDistress Signals
Beauty/SalonRevenue OnlyItem 19: ✓ DisclosedHigh Confidence · 100/100FDD data: 2025 · Fresh

Waxing the City Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Waxing the City.

Based on 2025 FDD · 37 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
59
C
Moderate Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Health Score
D
47/100
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 Waxing the City franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Waxing the City franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $311K – $646K. Reported owner economics show $78K. 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
$311K – $646K
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
$78K
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
6.1 years
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
16.0%
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costs →Estimate franchise ROI →Check SBA default rates →Browse Beauty/Salon franchises →Compare similar franchises →

Quick fee read: $43K franchise fee · 6.0% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.

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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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Waxing the City Franchise Analysis

Waxing the City requires a total initial investment of $311K to $646K (midpoint approximately $479K), with an initial franchise fee of $43K. The ongoing fee burden is 6.0% (6% royalty plus 2% advertising fund). 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 Waxing the City locations is $489K. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $78K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 16.3% with a payback period of approximately 6.1 years.

Waxing the City operates approximately 17 franchised units. The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 16.0% is above the franchise industry average of approximately 7.2%, suggesting elevated financial risk for franchisees relying on debt financing.

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$311K – $646K
MinMid: $479KMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$43K
Royalty Rate
6%
Ad Fund Rate
2%
Total Burden
6.0%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
17
Net Unit Growth
→ -
Year over year
Cash-on-Cash Return
16.3%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
6.1 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
16.0%
vs ~7.2% industry avg
Median Revenue
$489K
Item 19 disclosed
Red Flags Assessment
HIGH: SBA default rate 16%
HIGH ×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.

Waxing the City vs. Beauty/Salon Average

MetricWaxing the CityBeauty/Salon Avg
SBA Default Rate16.0%▼7.2%
Cash-on-Cash Return16.3%▲15.5%
Total Investment$479K$250K

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

SBA Loan Performance

Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2013-2026). 121 loans across 32 states.

Default Rate
16.0%
High Risk
Total SBA Loans
121
32 states
Total Loan Volume
$39.7M
SBA 7(a) approved
Avg Loan Size
$328K
Per franchisee
Loan Status Breakdown
35
Paid in Full (29%)
71
Currently Active
8
Charged Off (3.9% by $)
$1.6M
Total Charged Off ($)
● 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

Waxing the City vs The Barbershop A Hair Salon For MenWaxing the City vs House of ColourWaxing the City vs The Great American Barbershop

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

5 data-driven questions every Waxing the City franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is Waxing the City's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does Waxing the City 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 Waxing the City →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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