Biz Spotlight: Franchise Opportunity With Fantastic Sam's

Barbara Aducci knows a little something about hair.

The rest, she leaves to her well-trained team of stylists. Her forte is running the business end of her three Fantastic Sam's hair salons – in Tyngsborough, Mass., Manchester and her newest location, in Hudson, at 212 Lowell Road.

Her foray into the world of Fantastic Sam's salon ownership began eight years ago, when she was at loose ends.

“I was a travel agent for many years, and took a voluntary lay-off, knowing I wanted to do something else. At the same time, I was going gray fairly young, and so I was getting my hair done every five or six weeks. I was bothered by how costly it was,” said Aducci.

“It occurred to me that women always need to get their hair cut, whether it's a good economy or bad times, and so I chose to enter into the hair industry. Hudson is my third store,” said Aducci, who has learned the key to a successful salon is hiring great managers and having a built-in formula for success, which she has found as a Fantastic Sam's franchisee.

“I settled on Fantastic Sam's because they have a track record of success, for 40 years now. They gave me direction, from beginning to end, from the design of the salon to the full training of my stylists. They have an excellent program for owners that helps show you the way,” Aducci said.

That is exactly why Aducci is telling her story, because she's been so successful, says Bob Loffredo, Northeast Regional Developer for the salon chain.

He's hoping others will follow her lead.

Expansion in this region is part of the current business model for Fantastic Sam's, which has 1,200 salons around the country, and 63 here in New England.

“We could support 20 to 25 salons in New Hampshire. If we could do five a year, that'd be great,” Loffredo said.

He explains most Fantastic Sam's franchisees are just like Aducci, savvy business people who like the idea of being part of what Loffredo says is a $50 billion a year industry.

“Barbara is a good example of someone who started with one and has moved up to three, and would like to develop more franchises,” Loffredo said. "It's working for her."

The salon chain began in Tennessee  back in 1974, with an actual guy named Sam, said Loffredo.

“Sam Ross had a salon in Memphis, and as the story goes, people would come in to his shop and say, 'Your haircuts are Fantastic, Sam.' And that's how it all started,” Loffredo said.

Fantastic Sam's is headquartered now in Beverly, Mass., a move the company made from California about 10 years ago. Since then, growth in the northeast has been steady.

“We're looking for more people like Barbara who are looking for a great business opportunity. It's a 'manage the manager' type of business. Owners do their own marketing, and we help with all the rest,” Loffredo said.

What makes Fantastic Sam's so successful in such a competitive industry, in Loffredo's estimation, is the brand focus on value.

“We don't try to be something different than we are; we just try to give good services for a moderate price – and in this tough economy, as a salon level, our business is picking up,” Loffredo said.

The other facet of the business plan is that they are open seven days a week, 10 hours a day, usually in strip shopping centers with lots of parkin

Aducci said she is still offering grand-opening price points at her Hudson salon, to draw in new customers.

“Currently, cuts are $14.95 although we have a grand opening special of $9.95 and coupons for even less, if you should find one in a mailer. Color is $45 for single process and we offer partials for $55. A perm for our seniors is $39, and we also offer eyebrow and facial waxing,” Aducci said.

“We're all about convenience,” Loffredo said. “Over the years, our salons have earned a reputation for providing quality hair care services for the entire family. Quite simply, our goal is to provide our guests with unexpected quality, service, and style, at a fantastic price.”

Just for fun: You can check out the Fantastic Sam's marketing "shorts" on YouTube.

Want to learn more about becoming a franchisee? Visit www.FantasticSamsFranchises.com.