Startup costs from franchise filings
How much does it cost to open a barbershop?
Opening a barbershop costs $265,690 to $580,500, going by the 5 barbershop franchises whose current disclosure documents are on file in Minnesota: those are the medians of their low and high estimates for one new location, from the franchise fee to the first months of working capital. The biggest single cost is build-out and construction, typically $85,000 to $280,000. An owner opening independently pays no franchise fee and can often spend less on the space, which the budget below lets you test line by line.
- Typical range
- $265,690 to $580,500
- Lowest to highest filed
- $207,000 to $772,500
- Filings compared
- 5 brands
Read from Minnesota's franchise registry on October 16, 2026. Build your own budget ยท Download every line (CSV)
By brand
What 5 barbershop franchises say it costs to open
Item 7 of each franchise disclosure document, the legally required estimate of the initial investment for one new location, low and high.
| Brand | Total initial investment | Franchise fee | Build-out | Unit described |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floyd's 99FDD issued Jul 2026 | $399,500 to $772,500 | $49,500 | $185,000 to $400,000 | 1,200 to 1,600 sq ft, 10 to 12 chairs |
| RoostersFDD issued Oct 2025 | $265,690 to $432,390 | $39,500 | $85,000 to $175,000 | 1,000 to 1,400 sq ft, 6 stations |
| Sport ClipsFDD issued Apr 2026As printed in the filing, its low total ($236,800) is $7,800 more than its lines add up to ($229,000) and its high total ($580,500) is $5,500 more than its lines add up to ($575,000); the table shows the printed total. | $236,800 to $580,500 | $30,000 to $69,500 | $108,000 to $290,000 | 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft |
| The BarbershopFDD issued Apr 2026 | $207,000 to $352,600 | $40,000 | $80,000 to $170,000 | 1,100 to 1,800 sq ft |
| V's BarbershopFDD issued Mar 2026 | $290,000 to $690,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 to $280,000 | 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft |
By cost
Where the money goes when you open a barbershop
The median low and high of each kind of cost across these brands. A brand that folds a cost into another line is left out of that line's median, so the lines are a checklist, not a sum.
| Cost | Median low to high | Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Build-out and constructionLeasehold improvements, plumbing, electrical, flooring, lighting and finishes, less any landlord allowance. | $85,000 to $280,000 | 5 |
| Furniture, fixtures and equipmentChairs, stations, shampoo units, treatment beds or devices, reception and waiting furniture. | $50,000 to $90,000 | 5 |
| SignageExterior sign and interior graphics. | $5,500 to $12,500 | 4 |
| Computers, POS and softwarePoint of sale, computers, phones, music and security systems, software set-up. | $2,970 to $5,270 | 4 |
| Opening supplies and retail stockBackbar and service supplies, linens, sanitation, retail products for the shelf. | $5,000 to $10,000 | 5 |
| Grand opening marketingPre-opening and launch advertising, promotions and events. | $15,000 to $20,000 | 5 |
| Rent and deposits before openingSecurity deposit, rent before opening, utility deposits. | $3,000 to $12,000 | 5 |
| Professional fees, permits and licensesArchitect and design, legal and accounting, building permits, business and establishment licenses. | $6,000 to $18,000 | 5 |
| InsuranceFirst premiums or deposits for liability, property and workers' compensation cover. | $600 to $1,500 | 5 |
| Working capital (first months)Cash to cover payroll, rent and bills until the business pays for itself, usually the first three months. | $22,500 to $40,000 | 5 |
| Other opening costsTravel, utilities set-up, uniforms and costs the filing does not put elsewhere. | $2,250 to $13,000 | 2 |
| Franchise feeFranchisees only. The one-time fee paid to the franchisor for the right to open. | $40,000 to $40,000 | 5 |
| Franchise training and travelFranchisees only. Travel and living costs to attend the franchisor's training. | $1,000 to $7,000 | 5 |
Your budget
Budget a barbershop of your own
Start from the filed medians, without the franchise fee or the franchisor's training travel, and replace each line with your own quotes.
Each line starts at the middle of the brands' low estimates across 5 filed barbershop disclosures, with franchise-only costs left out. Replace any figure with your own quote; switching the business or the starting point resets the lines.
Build-out and construction
Leasehold improvements, plumbing, electrical, flooring, lighting and finishes, less any landlord allowance.
$85,000 to $280,000median of 5 filings
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Chairs, stations, shampoo units, treatment beds or devices, reception and waiting furniture.
$50,000 to $90,000median of 5 filings
Signage
Exterior sign and interior graphics.
$5,500 to $12,500median of 4 filings
Computers, POS and software
Point of sale, computers, phones, music and security systems, software set-up.
$2,970 to $5,270median of 4 filings
Opening supplies and retail stock
Backbar and service supplies, linens, sanitation, retail products for the shelf.
$5,000 to $10,000median of 5 filings
Grand opening marketing
Pre-opening and launch advertising, promotions and events.
$15,000 to $20,000median of 5 filings
Rent and deposits before opening
Security deposit, rent before opening, utility deposits.
$3,000 to $12,000median of 5 filings
Professional fees, permits and licenses
Architect and design, legal and accounting, building permits, business and establishment licenses.
$6,000 to $18,000median of 5 filings
Insurance
First premiums or deposits for liability, property and workers' compensation cover.
$600 to $1,500median of 5 filings
Working capital (first months)
Cash to cover payroll, rent and bills until the business pays for itself, usually the first three months.
$22,500 to $40,000median of 5 filings
Other opening costs
Travel, utilities set-up, uniforms and costs the filing does not put elsewhere.
$2,250 to $13,000median of 2 filings
Your startup budget
$197,900
Franchised barbershop units disclose a median of $265,690 to $580,500, franchise fee included.
Reading the filings
What these numbers mean for a barbershop
- The five filings run from The Barbershop ($207,000 to $352,600) to Floyd's 99 ($399,500 to $772,500), whose shops are the largest here at 1,200 to 1,600 sq ft with 10 to 12 chairs.
- Equipment varies most: V's Barbershop, whose shops also offer shaves and men's facials, lists $145,000 to $259,000, against $20,000 to $55,000 at Sport Clips.
- An independent shop can come in well below these totals. The barbershop business plan guide prices a six-chair shop in an existing space line by line, from makers' prices and the low end of these franchise ranges, at about $163,000 including working capital.
Questions
Opening a barbershop: costs, answered
How much does it cost to open a barbershop?
What is the biggest startup cost for a barbershop?
How much working capital do you need to open a barbershop?
Is it cheaper to open a barbershop without a franchise?
Plan the rest
Before you sign a lease
- Write it up with the barbershop business plan guide
- Find a name and a free domain for a barbershop
- See what the business could pay you once it is open
- Check what salons keep after costs, from Census data
Startup costs for other beauty businesses
Ready to open? See how SalonAI runs the digital side of a barbershop
Ready when you are
Open with the website and the bookings ready
SalonAI plans the digital side of a barbershop before you open: a website clients can book from in one tap, online booking, your Google profile, reviews, and client follow-ups. Founden builds and runs it.
Built with Founden. Review your setup and running costs before activation.