Cost to Start a Roosters Men's Grooming Center Franchise in 2026

Roosters Men's Grooming Center franchise startup costs run $148K–$352K for a premium men's salon and barbershop. The lower investment range relative to similar concepts and strong male grooming market growth make Roosters a competitive franchise opportunity.

Key takeaways

Total estimated startup cost: $148,000–$352,000 (men's salon/barbershop franchise)
Franchise fee: $35,000
Ongoing royalty: 6% of gross sales; marketing fund contribution applies
Full-service men's grooming: haircuts, beard trims, shaves, scalp treatments, color
Listed on the SBA Franchise Directory — eligible for expedited SBA loan processing

Roosters Men's Grooming Center is a premium men's salon and barbershop franchise offering full-service grooming — haircuts, beard trims, straight-razor shaves, scalp treatments, and men's color. Roosters positions in the value-premium tier: above chain haircut concepts on experience and service breadth, below luxury barber clubs on price. The men's grooming market has grown consistently as male consumers increase discretionary grooming spend. Prospective franchisees should review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436).

Total startup cost breakdown

Per the current FDD filed under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436), total estimated initial investment for a Roosters Men's Grooming Center franchise runs $148,000–$352,000:

Franchise fee: $35,000
Real estate and leasehold improvements: $60,000–$150,000 (salon fit-out, barber stations, shampoo bowls, retail display area)
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (barber chairs, styling stations, shave equipment): $25,000–$60,000
Signage and branding: $5,000–$15,000
Technology (POS, scheduling, client management software): $3,000–$10,000
Initial product inventory (styling, shave, and retail products): $3,000–$8,000
Training and travel: $4,000–$10,000
Grand opening marketing: $5,000–$15,000
Working capital (3 months): $10,000–$35,000
Permits, licenses, insurance, and professional fees: $8,000–$14,000

Ongoing fees

Roosters charges a 6% royalty on gross sales plus marketing fund contributions. Revenue comes from service tickets (haircut, beard, shave packages), retail product sales, and optional membership programs. The male grooming segment benefits from high repeat-visit frequency — many customers return every 3–4 weeks — which supports steady monthly revenue once the stylist/barber team is fully staffed.

Financing options

Roosters Men's Grooming Center is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. Financing paths:

SBA 7(a) loan: Covers franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, and working capital per the SBA 7(a) program. The $148K–$352K range fits SBA Express structures with faster approval timelines.
SBA Express loan: The full investment range fits within SBA Express (up to $500K), which offers faster approval and reduced documentation — well-suited to the lower end of this concept's investment range.
Equipment financing: Barber chairs, styling stations, and shampoo bowls can be financed separately over 3–5 years.
Working capital line of credit: Covers pre-opening staffing, initial marketing spend, and the revenue ramp-up period as client base builds.

Realistic ROI timeline

Men's grooming salon concepts at the $148K–$352K investment level typically target breakeven within 18–30 months. The ramp period is driven by stylist/barber hiring and client base development. High repeat-visit frequency — male customers typically return every 3–4 weeks — means a fully booked team reaches sustainable revenue quickly. Operators in suburban markets with strong male working-age demographic density and limited premium grooming competition typically see the fastest ramp.

Who's a good fit

Roosters Men's Grooming Center suits operators with salon, spa, retail management, or service business backgrounds. Cosmetology and barber licensing requirements for staff vary by state — franchisees should verify applicable state licensing boards. Financial benchmarks typically include net worth of $150K+ and liquid capital of $50K+. Strip mall and inline retail locations in suburban markets with strong male demographics near office parks, gyms, and residential areas are the primary target for Roosters.

Apply for franchise financing

ClearValue Lending works with grooming and salon franchise operators on SBA Express, equipment financing, and working capital lines. Apply for franchise financing at Find my match. Your file routes to one matched lender.

What lenders look for in a Roosters Men's Grooming Center franchise application

SBA lenders underwriting a $148K–$352K Roosters franchise evaluate five core factors. The men's grooming category has a strong repeat-visit model, but lenders focus on stylist staffing depth and state licensing compliance as the primary underwriting signals.

Stylist/barber ramp DSCR: Revenue is tied directly to booked chair hours. Lenders model DSCR using a conservative ramp — typically 60–70% chair utilization in year one, scaling to 80–90% stabilized. Pro forma projections must reflect actual chair count, not theoretical maximum capacity.
State cosmetology and barber licensing compliance: Operators in states with separate barber and cosmetology licensing boards must document that all performing staff hold the required state-issued license. Licensing board confirmation may be required before loan disbursement.
SBA Franchise Directory listing: Roosters is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, enabling expedited SBA loan eligibility review. Lenders confirm listing status at underwriting — this is a gate, not a formality.
Lease quality and term alignment: Lenders require a lease term matching or exceeding the loan repayment period. For a 10-year SBA 7(a) term, a 10-year initial lease (or 5-year + 5-year renewal option) with landlord estoppel is standard.
Operator experience documentation: Service franchise lenders favor applicants with prior multi-unit retail, salon, or hospitality management experience. First-time franchisees without management-track experience face higher equity injection requirements.

SBA Express is the natural structure

The $148K–$352K investment range falls within the SBA Express loan limit ($500K), which offers faster approval timelines (36-hour SBA response vs. standard 5–10 business days) and reduced documentation requirements. Operators with strong personal credit (680+) and documented liquid capital often close SBA Express loans in 30–45 days. Equipment and working capital can be bundled in the same facility. Source: SBA 7(a) Loan Program (sba.gov).

Sources

Roosters Men's Grooming Center is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan eligibility review. — SBA Franchise Directory
SBA Express loans (up to $500K) offer faster approval and less documentation — well-suited to grooming concepts in the $148K–$352K investment range. — SBA 7(a) Loan Program
All franchise cost and fee disclosures are governed by the FTC Franchise Rule requiring a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) be delivered at least 14 days before signing. — FTC Franchise Rule — 16 CFR Part 436
Qualifying salon equipment and fixtures placed in service during the tax year may be immediately expensed under IRS Section 179. — IRS Publication 946

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Roosters Men's Grooming Center franchise cost in 2026?

Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $148,000–$352,000. Leasehold improvements, barber station equipment, and the franchise fee are the primary cost drivers.

What services does Roosters Men's Grooming Center offer?

Roosters offers haircuts, beard trims, straight-razor shaves, scalp treatments, men's color, and retail grooming products — full-service men's grooming in a value-premium salon environment.

What is the Roosters Men's Grooming royalty rate?

Roosters charges a 6% royalty on gross sales plus marketing fund contributions.

Can I finance a Roosters franchise with an SBA loan?

Yes. Roosters is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory. The full investment range fits within SBA Express (up to $500K), offering faster approval. Standard SBA 7(a) is also available.

How does repeat-visit frequency affect Roosters revenue?

Male grooming customers typically return every 3–4 weeks, creating high visit frequency relative to other service concepts. A fully staffed barber/stylist team reaches sustainable revenue quickly once the client base is established.

What DSCR do lenders require for a Roosters Men's Grooming Center franchise?

SBA guidelines require a minimum 1.15× DSCR. For Roosters, lenders model DSCR using conservative year-one chair utilization (60–70%) and the 6% royalty load. Stabilized DSCR targets are typically 1.25×+ once the barber/stylist team is fully booked. Pro forma projections showing a clear path from ramp to stabilized revenue are the key underwriting document. Source: SBA Standard Operating Procedure 50 10 7 (sba.gov).

How much equity do I need to open a Roosters franchise?

SBA requires a minimum 10% equity injection of total project cost — $14,800–$35,200 on $148K–$352K. In practice, lenders on service salon concepts typically require 20–25% ($29,600–$88,000) to cover the barber/stylist ramp period before the location reaches sustainable occupancy. Equity can be from personal savings, ROBS (retirement funds), or home equity — all must be documented. Source: SBA SOP 50 10 7, Subpart B, Chapter 4.