Sola Salons

Sola Salons was founded in 2004 by Stratton Smith and Matt Briger. Its first location opened in Denver, Colorado, and the franchise model launched in 2005. The company is headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado, and is owned by Radiance Holdings, which also owns Woodhouse Spas. Ben Jones is CEO of Radiance Holdings. He joined the Sola system in 2012 as an owner operator of three locations before moving into executive leadership. Daryl Hurst is President and Chief Operating Officer, Bob Bell is Chief Financial Officer, and Jeff Pleis is Vice President of Franchise Operations. As of early 2026, Sola Salons has more than 750 locations across the United States and Canada, with additional international presence in Brazil. More than 21,000 independent beauty professionals, known as Sola Pros, lease suites and operate their own businesses within the centers. Sola Salons ranked No. 1 in Entrepreneur's 2025 and 2026 Franchise 500 Salon Suites Category and No. 79 overall in the 2025 Franchise 500.

The global salon services market was valued at USD 247.02 billion in 2024 and is projected to increase from USD 264.93 billion in 2025 to USD 447.76 billion by 2032, a 7.79% compound annual growth rate. North America is identified as a strong growth region, supported by demand for facial treatments, massage services, nail art, and specialized personal care. Salon suites appeal to independent workers seeking control over their businesses and consumers seeking private, personalized services. After COVID, many licensed professionals moved away from booth rental arrangements or salon employment toward control of their schedules, pricing, clients, and brand identity. Demand for semi permanent makeup, extended wear treatments, permanent jewelry, and similar services has expanded the tenant base to estheticians, nail technicians, massage therapists, permanent makeup artists, and lash specialists in addition to hair stylists. Personal care spending has also shown resistance across economic cycles because consumers continue to prioritize services tied to personal presentation and professional appearance.

The initial franchise fee is $60,000, or $45,000 for franchisees who previously purchased and opened a Sola location. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates total initial investment for one center at $1,181,960 to $1,939,349. Costs vary with construction, space size, commercial real estate pricing, and the work required to create 20 to 50 suites with private locking doors, plumbing, electrical systems, and professional finishes. Multi unit development requires at least two locations and raises the total investment range to $2,363,920 to $4,238,698, including a development fee of $60,000 to $420,000 based on the number of units. The national marketing fund contribution is up to 2% of gross revenue per month. A technology fee of $250 per month is expected to begin in January 2026. Property management software costs $99 per month for a single user sublicense. Other costs include a $20,000 market introduction fee, $20,000 to $50,000 in working capital for the first three months, a conference fee of $475 to $575, and a $7,500 renewal fee. Radiance Holdings acquired Sola Salons on November 2, 2018, in a transaction facilitated by MPK Equity Partners, AHR Growth Partners, and PNC Riverarch Capital, with Centennial Peaks Capital and Crewe Capital involved in the facilitation. Institutional private equity ownership provides financial infrastructure and growth capital.

Sola Salons uses a low labor model because franchisees do not employ the beauty professionals in their suites. Each Sola Pro leases a suite and manages clients, scheduling, pricing, and business operations. A 40 suite location therefore involves managing a commercial real estate asset rather than 40 stylists. Daily responsibilities include improving occupancy, building relationships with current and prospective Sola Pros, maintaining the facility, administering leases, and marketing available suites. This is an active operating model, especially during lease up. Patrick Elgin has publicly described the need for hands on engagement while establishing support for beauty professionals in new markets. The Studio, a proprietary learning management system introduced in 2025, offers training, support resources, and communication channels. A new customer relationship management platform launched in the first quarter of 2025 after a successful pilot to help manage prospective Sola Pros. Sola also partnered with Vagaro for booking and payment software. An insurance program piloted in late 2024 and early 2025 is being rolled out nationally. Territory exclusivity is available, and active focus markets include California, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

Suite count, market density, franchisee recruiting activity, occupancy, and market maturity affect results. A new location in a developing market can perform differently from a mature suburban location with 95% occupancy.

Sola Salons opened its 700th studio in January 2024 in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The system exceeded 730 locations by April 2025 and 740 by July 2025. By early 2026, it had more than 750 locations in the United States and Canada and more than 21,000 Sola Pros. In 2024, the system had 729 units, including 660 franchisee owned and 69 company owned locations. Sola closed 2025 with 19 new openings and more than 125 additional locations in development, including sites in Denton, Texas, Athens, Georgia, and Naples, Florida. The company aims to open up to 275 locations nationwide over the next few years, with a target of at least 50 openings annually. In the second quarter of 2025, it sold 20 new franchise units. Seven had opened year to date, and 12 more were projected across California, Florida, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Arizona before year end. Four franchise agreements signed in Canada in April 2022 established nine future locations in Toronto, Durham, Kitchener, Markham, Richmond Hill, and Hamilton. In 2024, nine new franchise owner development agreements covered California, Houston, Michigan, and South Carolina, adding 26 planned United States locations. Tracy Ramos joined as Director of Community and Brand Partnerships in the second quarter of 2025. The system also cites its No. 1 category ranking, Vagaro and internal learning technology, its network of more than 21,000 beauty professionals, and a focus on second generation retail space in high traffic suburban corridors.

The preferred franchisee is an investor or operator with business management experience, commercial real estate knowledge, and the ability to build relationships with independent entrepreneurs. A cosmetology license or beauty industry background is not required. Sharon Gates moved from corporate hospitality to Sola ownership. Multi unit development is available and requires at least two locations. Florida is described as a high performing market that is near sellout, with locations in Orlando, Bonita Springs, and Lakeland opened or announced in 2025. Primary growth markets include California, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah, and some markets previously closed under existing agreements have reopened. The franchise term and renewal conditions are governed by the FDD, with a $7,500 renewal fee. Opening requires site selection, lease negotiation, permitting, and construction of the multi suite interior, a process that spans several months depending on market and construction conditions. The Brand Marketing Fund, established in 2011, supports national campaigns aimed at beauty professionals considering independent suite operation.

Sola Salons combines a salon services market projected to reach $447.76 billion by 2032, continued movement toward independent beauty businesses, and a system that exceeds 750 locations while holding the No. 1 category ranking in the 2025 and 2026 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 rankings. The $1.2 million to $1.9 million investment range requires careful review of local demand, occupancy timing, and financing. The PeerSense Loan Activity Score is 45, rated Fair, indicating a need for independent analysis. PeerSense provides franchise research data, including SBA lending history, Loan Activity Scores, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools for reviewing Sola Salons against other beauty and personal care concepts. Buyers can use the Sola Salons profile to examine costs, revenue, and unit economics before making an investment decision.