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For this California-based salon suite franchise, opening over 300 locations throughout the U.S. was just the beginning. Now, with its sights firmly set on international development, Phenix Salon Suites is ready to show the global franchise industry what it’s been missing.
From celebrity roots to global acclaim
Phenix Salon Suites was founded by beauty expert and celebrity hairstylist Gina Rivera in 2007, who has family roots in the industry dating back almost 100 years.
The model is simple: Phenix Salon Suites franchisees offer an opportunity for beauty and wellness professionals to have a space of their own. They design their room, set their own prices, and build their client list. The franchise owner serves as a landlord who recruits professionals and rents out spaces to them. The locations provide a safe, socially-distanced experience for beauty professionals and their clients.
“It’s such a great time to be a part of Phenix Salon Suites and we’re so confident about the opening of our first European salon location”
For a Phenix international partner, the model is attractive in significant ways: no employees, no inventory, and semi-absentee management. Plus, post-COVID, retail spaces are plentiful, demand for safe, secure workspaces is off the charts, and profitability can be exceptional.
In October, Phenix embarked on a bold new adventure with its first opening in Manchester, England; part of its ambitious, strategic, global expansion that will see countless franchise professionals around the world join this exciting journey.
“It’s such a great time to be a part of Phenix Salon Suites and we’re so confident about the opening of our first European salon location,” said John Gillespie, European operations director for Phenix. “Having been in the salon industry for more than 20 years, I’m familiar with the operational efficiencies that are crucial to the success of not only the franchisee, but also the lifestyle professionals. Phenix has definitely mastered the art of seamless operational support and transfer of U.S. know-how which has been evident as we’ve established the Manchester location.”
Already, most of the available units within the flagship Manchester location have been snapped up by savvy hairstylists and beauty professionals, ready to take advantage of the premium Phenix Salon Suites amenities.
Each unit within a Phenix location can be totally personalized by its new tenant so that small business owners can brand their unit as they’d like and create a unique space. In the Manchester site, one unit features a barbershop themed around a football stadium with a fake grass floor, red leather stadium seats and a huge football mural. In another, celebrity hairdresser Andrew Trott-Barn personalized his double window corner plot with bespoke scissor-patterned wallpaper, plush velvet seating and decor inspired by his legendary Mirror Ball.
“We know how hard it is to set up a salon from scratch, and even more so when it comes to finding something affordable in the middle of an incredible city like Manchester. There are over a thousand salon suites buildings in the U.S.A., so we know this model works,” said Gillespie.
Going from strength to strength
Phenix Salon Suites’ international growth follows an exceptionally busy period for the brand, having opened its 300th location earlier this year, and announcing a multi-unit partnership between musician LL COOLJ and long-time Phenix franchisee, Kevin Davis. Global expansion was the logical next step for the brand, and it’s looking for lifestyle professionals and country franchisees to continue taking the Phenix name overseas.
“Phenix has had an eye on expansion overseas for a while now and we’re excited to finally announce our entrance into international markets,” said Brian Kelley, president and COO of Phenix Salon Suites. “We have a strong team behind our global growth with industry expert John Gillespie being a key player to streamline salon operations and Lesley Hawks leading the charge on development.
The United Kingdom is a stepping stone to the rest of the world as the brand explores opportunities in many countries including Sweden, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and France.”
All Phenix locations are complete with a host of essential tools and accessories to attract beauty and wellness experts of all kinds. Hairdressers and barbers are provided with a backwash, styling chair and hair trolley, while nail, massage or beauty therapists are offered sink units and storage trolleys. Each tenant also has access to a break room/kitchen space, as well as an on-site laundry room with free use of commercial equipment for fast washing and drying.
Licenses to operate suites are offered on a monthly basis, with no long-term contracts that allows tenants to start up affordably and with flexibility. This is also perfect for franchisees as it makes filling their Phenix location a breeze. Units typically fill up shortly after opening, once local beauty professionals recognize the incomparable business opportunity.
In a world where flexibility is king, and the entrepreneurial life is attracting more individuals than ever, investing in Phenix Salon Suites is a unique way to offer an exciting global model with the comprehensive support of an established U.S brand.
At a Glance Phenix Salon Suites
Established: 2007
Number of locations: 310+
Location of units: U.S., U.K.
Investment range: Market dependant (approx. $700,000 – $1m per unit)
Contact: Lesley Hawks, director global development, lkhawks@gmail.com / +1 562 760 1611
