Worth It?HistoryDatabaseCompareDistress SignalsFDD Changes
Beauty/SalonLimited DataItem 19: ✗ Not DisclosedQuality: 60/100

Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc.

Based on 2025 FDD · 4 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
56
C
Moderate Risk
Composite score based on SBA default rate, unit growth, disclosure quality & investment efficiency.
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
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Total Investment Range$89K – $260K
MinMid: $175KMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
—
Royalty Rate
—
Ad Fund Rate
—
Total Burden
—
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
831
-34 vs prior yr
Net Unit Growth
↓ -4.0%
Year over year
Cash-on-Cash Return
~8–15%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
~5–12 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
0.0%
vs ~7.2% industry avg
Median Revenue
~$800K–$2M
Item 19 disclosed
Red Flags Assessment
HIGH: Missing Item 19 disclosure
HIGH ×1
Premium Data

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SBA default rate, Risk Score, CoC%, investment benchmarks, and unit growth for Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc..

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Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. vs. Beauty/Salon Average

MetricMerle Norman Cosmetics, Inc.Beauty/Salon Avg
SBA Default Rate0.0%▲7.2%
Cash-on-Cash Return—15.5%
Total Investment$175K$250K

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

Compare

Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. vs The Barbershop A Hair Salon for Men, LLCMerle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. vs House of ColourMerle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. vs Bellacures

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The Barbershop A Hair Salon for Men, LLC
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$207K–$353K
House of Colour
Limited Data
$33K–$52K
Bellacures
Revenue Only
$320K–$650K
The Barbershop A Hair Salon for Men, LLC
$207K – $353K
House of Colour
$33K – $52K
Bellacures
$320K – $650K
The Great American Barbershop
$265K – $413K

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc.'s SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. 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 Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. →Validation call guide →

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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.