Image Studios franchise startup costs run $980K–$1.85M for a salon-suite rental facility under the WellBiz Brands portfolio. The private suite leasing model targets independent beauty professionals seeking studio-grade private space with full facility management handled by the franchisee.
Image Studios is a salon-suite rental franchise concept under the WellBiz Brands portfolio. Like other salon-suite concepts, Image Studios franchisees build and manage multi-suite commercial facilities leased to independent beauty professionals — stylists, estheticians, nail technicians, and massage therapists — who operate their own independent businesses inside private studio suites. The franchisee earns rental income; WellBiz Brands provides operational systems, technology, and national brand support. Prospective franchisees should review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436).
Per the current FDD filed under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436), total estimated initial investment for an Image Studios franchise runs $980,000–$1,850,000. The higher-end range reflects Image Studios' premium build specifications relative to other salon-suite concepts:
Image Studios charges ongoing royalty and marketing fund contributions per the FDD. Revenue is rental income collected from suite tenants on weekly or monthly terms. WellBiz Brands' technology platform (shared across the portfolio) provides automated billing, digital suite access, lease management, and tenant communications — reducing the operational overhead of managing a multi-suite facility. At full occupancy, the landlord-style recurring revenue model produces predictable monthly cash flow.
Image Studios is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. At $980K–$1.85M, financing typically involves a blend of:
Salon-suite real estate concepts at the $980K–$1.85M investment level typically target breakeven within 42–60 months depending on the occupancy ramp. Image Studios' premium build quality supports above-market suite rental pricing relative to standard salon-suite concepts, which partially offsets the higher initial investment. Markets with established demand for private studio space from independent beauty professionals and limited competing salon-suite inventory reach breakeven fastest. WellBiz Brands' operational systems and technology platform reduce ongoing management overhead.
Image Studios suits operators with commercial real estate, property management, leasing, or multi-unit business backgrounds. Franchisees manage tenant relationships, lease agreements, facility operations, and occupancy — not beauty services. Financial benchmarks typically include net worth of $1M+ and liquid capital of $250K+. Target markets are affluent suburban areas with strong independent beauty professional populations seeking premium private studio space at above-average rental rates.
ClearValue Lending works with salon-suite and commercial real estate franchise operators on SBA 7(a), SBA 504, conventional commercial real estate loans, and equipment financing. Apply for franchise financing at Find my match. Your file routes to one matched lender.
SBA lenders underwriting a $980K–$1.85M Image Studios franchise evaluate five core factors. As a WellBiz Brands premium salon-suite concept, Image Studios has a higher build cost than standard salon-suite concepts — lenders model occupancy ramp and leasehold collateral quality as the primary variables on a deal of this size.
Franchisees who acquire the commercial building pair SBA 504 (40% of project, CDC debenture, below-market fixed rate) with a bank first mortgage (50%) and borrower equity (10%). Leasehold-only franchisees use SBA 7(a) for improvements + working capital. At $980K–$1.85M, standard SBA 7(a) covers the full project cost within the $5M cap. Source: SBA 504 Loan Program and SBA 7(a) Loan Program (sba.gov).
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $980,000–$1,850,000. The premium build specifications and larger suite counts drive the higher-end range compared to other salon-suite concepts.
Image Studios is part of the WellBiz Brands portfolio, which also includes Elements Massage, Fitness Together, and blur Workshop. WellBiz Brands provides shared technology, operations systems, and national brand infrastructure across its portfolio.
Image Studios franchisees are real estate operators. They build and manage a premium multi-suite facility and lease individual suites to independent beauty professionals. Revenue is rental income — franchisees do not provide beauty services directly.
Yes. Image Studios is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory. SBA 7(a) loans (up to $5M) cover build-out and working capital. SBA 504 is available for operators acquiring commercial real estate.
Image Studios is positioned as a premium salon-suite concept with higher-grade build specifications and suite finishes than standard salon-suite concepts. The higher investment ($980K–$1.85M vs. $750K–$1.65M for comparable concepts) supports above-market suite rental pricing in premium suburban markets.
SBA guidelines require a minimum 1.15× DSCR. For premium salon-suite concepts, lenders model DSCR at stabilized occupancy — 80–90% of total suites — which is typically reached 12–18 months post-opening. Pro formas should reflect realistic ramp occupancy (40–60% in months 1–6) with DSCR exceeding 1.25× by stabilization. WellBiz Brands FDD Item 19 franchisee revenue data is the strongest benchmarking input. Source: SBA Standard Operating Procedure 50 10 7 (sba.gov).
SBA requires a minimum 10% equity injection of total project cost — $98,000–$185,000 on $980K–$1.85M. Lenders on premium real estate-intensive salon-suite projects at this investment level typically require 20–25% ($196,000–$462,500) to cover the build-out risk and occupancy ramp period. Equity can be from personal savings, ROBS (retirement funds rolled into the business without early withdrawal penalties), or home equity — all must be documented with source-of-funds verification. Source: SBA SOP 50 10 7, Subpart B, Chapter 4.