Great Clips

Great Clips is a prominent haircare salon franchise that operates independently, with its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company began in 1982 when founders David Rubenzer and Steve Lemmon opened a single salon designed to offer quick, affordable haircuts without the need for appointments. This straightforward approach quickly attracted a loyal customer base, especially among busy families and working professionals.

A major milestone in the company’s growth came in 1988, when Great Clips reached 100 locations through franchising. Over the past five years, the brand has continued to evolve by focusing on infill development within established markets and expanding selectively into secondary and tertiary markets. This strategy has allowed Great Clips to maintain a steady pace of new store openings, particularly in high-visibility retail centers and neighborhood strip malls. Franchisee demand and demographic analysis guide their expansion, with a notable emphasis on suburban growth corridors and underserved urban neighborhoods.

As of November 2025, Great Clips operates more than 4,400 salons, making it the largest salon brand in North America by unit count. Its footprint covers all 50 U.S. states and most Canadian provinces, with priority growth markets in Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Ontario. The company’s franchise model has established a consistent need for well-located retail space and has proven resilient through various economic cycles. Great Clips is recognized for its reliable, value-driven format and its ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences, supported by technology such as online check-in and mobile wait time tracking. Its long-standing presence, operational stability, and strong network of franchisees make Great Clips a dependable tenant for shopping centers and neighborhood retail environments.