With two decades of industry experience, the kids salon franchise continues to deliver exceptional service, creating an attractive service for customers and a scalable opportunity for prospective franchisees.
Twenty years ago, I walked into the very first Pigtails & Crewcuts salon with my children. What I discovered wasn’t just a place for haircuts — it was a solution to a universal parenting challenge. As a father who had endured countless stressful haircut experiences with my own kids, I immediately recognized the brilliance of a salon designed specifically for children. Little did I know that this moment would lead to acquiring the business and transforming it into a national brand that would redefine the children’s hair care industry.
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, I’m proud to reflect on our journey from a single Atlanta location to over 80 salons across the country. Our mission has remained steadfast: transform what was once a dreaded experience into something children and parents actually look forward to.
Building a Child-Centered Experience
What makes Pigtails & Crewcuts different is our unwavering focus on creating an environment where children feel comfortable and parents feel supported. Every element of our salons, from the colorful decor and pint-sized salon chairs shaped like airplanes and fire trucks to our patient, specially-trained stylists, is designed with children in mind.
We recognized early on that a successful children’s salon doesn’t just cut hair; it creates memorable experiences. Our salons feature play areas, movies and video games to keep children entertained while waiting. Because of this, for many families, a trip to Pigtails & Crewcuts becomes a monthly tradition rather than a chore.
Meeting Diverse Needs
Over two decades, we’ve evolved to meet the changing needs of families. We’ve developed specialized approaches for children with sensory sensitivities or special needs, including offering quieter appointment times and sensory-friendly services. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures every child can have a positive haircut experience, regardless of their unique challenges.
Our stylists are trained not just in cutting techniques but in understanding child development and communication. They know how to make even the most anxious child feel at ease, and they are committed to offering the time and space necessary to ensure a child feels ready rather than forcing them into an uncomfortable situation.
This expertise has positioned us as leaders in a niche that serves a critical family need. And by proving our ability to continue evolving as awareness increases, Pigtails & Crewcuts is in a position to maintain our status as an industry leader, even if new needs arise in the coming years.
A Franchise Model Built on Support
The success of Pigtails & Crewcuts as a franchise is built on lessons I learned while expanding Heavenly Ham to over 230 locations before its acquisition by HoneyBaked Ham. The most important of these lessons is that franchisee success must be at the heart of every decision.
Our franchise model provides comprehensive support from site selection and build-out to marketing and operations. We’ve created systems that enable franchisees to focus on building relationships in their communities while benefiting from proven business practices. Many of our franchisees are parents who discovered the concept as customers and wanted to bring the experience to their own communities, so they’re excited to build those relationships and spread the word.
Navigating Challenges and Growth
Like any business, we’ve faced our share of challenges. The 2008 recession tested our resilience shortly after we began franchising. More recently, the pandemic forced us to quickly adapt our operations to ensure safety while maintaining the joyful experience we’re known for. These challenges have ultimately strengthened our business model and confirmed the resilience of our concept.
The $7 billion children’s hair care market continues to present tremendous opportunities. Parents will always need haircuts for their growing children, making our business remarkably stable even during economic fluctuations, and our specialized focus has allowed us to thrive in a segment largely overlooked by traditional salons.
Looking Forward
As we approach our goal of 100 locations, we remain focused on thoughtful growth rather than rapid expansion. The right franchisees who share our passion for creating positive experiences for children are critical to maintaining our brand standards, and we are excited to identify these partners and grow our presence in key markets.
Looking ahead, we’re exploring innovative service offerings and products that complement our core business while continuing to refine the support we provide to franchisees. The foundations we’ve built over the past 20 years position us for continued success in the decades to come.
What began as a simple solution to a common problem has grown into a beloved brand that touches the lives of families nationwide. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built, and I’m excited about what the future holds for Pigtails & Crewcuts.