# Sport Clips Item 19 Deep Dive: $409K Median Across 1,669 Mature Salons

> Sport Clips Item 19: $409K median across 1,669 mature salons (2+ years operating). The tenure filter explained, year-one ramp, and how Sport Clips compares to Great Clips and Supercuts.

**Last updated**: 2026-06-05
**URL**: https://vetmyfranchise.com/blog/sport-clips-item-19-deep-dive?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md

> **Quick answer:** [Sport Clips](/franchise/sport-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md)' Item 19 reports a $409K median across 1,669 mature salons (2+ years operating). The tenure filter explicitly excludes ramp-stage units, which inflates the disclosed median relative to all-salon alternatives. The number describes year-3+ steady-state economics, not year-one performance. Buyers must layer their own ramp assumption: year-one typically tracks at 50-65% of the disclosed median.

## The Disclosure

| Metric | Value |
|---|---:|
| Sample size | 1,669 franchised salons |
| Sample criteria | Mature salons with 2+ years of operation |
| Median annual gross sales | $409,206 |
| Total system units | 1,754 |
| Total investment (Item 7) | $288,500 - $475,000 |
| Royalty rate | 6% of net sales |

The 2+ years tenure filter is methodologically important and deserves close reading. Most franchise Item 19 disclosures either include all open units (more representative but lower median) or filter to "units open at least 12 months" (a moderate filter). [Sport Clips](/franchise/sport-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md)' 2+ year filter is more aggressive — it explicitly excludes any salon that hasn't completed a full second year of operations.

The effect on the disclosed median is significant. Hair-services salons typically take 18-24 months to build a stable client base; revenue ramps through year one and continues climbing into year two. A salon at month 30 (the minimum tenure for inclusion) is operating at materially higher revenue than a salon at month 12. By excluding all units under 24 months, [Sport Clips](/franchise/sport-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md)' disclosure surfaces what mature salons earn — not what new salons earn.

That methodology isn't dishonest; it's a disclosure choice that's transparent about what's being measured. But it means buyers need to do additional work to model the ramp.

## What the Filter Does to the Year-One Picture

A buyer evaluating [Sport Clips](/franchise/sport-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md) against the $409K median needs to understand what's not in that number. Year-one revenue for new salons typically lands at:

- Months 1-3: $15K-$25K monthly (early customer acquisition)
- Months 4-6: $18K-$28K monthly
- Months 7-9: $20K-$32K monthly
- Months 10-12: $22K-$35K monthly
- Annualized year-one: $220K-$300K (about 55-70% of mature median)

Year two typically lands at $300K-$370K (75-90% of mature median). Year three+ enters the disclosed median range. The total ramp curve from opening to median takes 24-30 months for most well-located salons.

A buyer underwriting against the $409K median in year one would run cash-short by month 8. A buyer modeling year-one at 55-65% of disclosed median, year-two at 75-85%, and year-three at the median is operating from realistic assumptions.

## Sport Clips' Differentiated Positioning

Sport Clips and [Great Clips](/franchise/great-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md) run essentially identical economics at the system level. The brand differentiation is positioning rather than financial profile:

| Dimension | Sport Clips | [Great Clips](/franchise/great-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md) |
|---|---|---|
| Target demographic | Men (kids included) | Family (all genders) |
| Salon design | Sports-themed, TVs, masculine décor | Functional, family-friendly |
| Service mix | Cut + MVP service upsell | Cut + add-on services |
| Average ticket | $25-$35 (with MVP upsell) | $20-$25 |
| Customer frequency | Every 3-4 weeks (typical male haircut cycle) | Every 4-6 weeks (mixed) |

The MVP haircut (extended cut with steamed towel, neck/shoulder massage, hair wash) is Sport Clips' signature service and commands a meaningful premium over the standard cut. Conversion rates from standard to MVP run 25-40% in mature salons, which drives the per-customer revenue premium that lifts the disclosed median modestly above [Great Clips](/franchise/great-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md)' all-unit median.

For buyers, the brand decision rarely comes down to AUV — the economics are essentially identical. It comes down to operator preference, market demographics, and territory availability. A buyer in a sports-fan-heavy market may find Sport Clips fits the customer base better. A buyer in a family-suburb market may find [Great Clips](/franchise/great-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md)' broader demographic appeal more durable.

For the head-to-head, see our [Sport Clips vs Great Clips vs Supercuts comparison](/blog/sport-clips-vs-great-clips-vs-supercuts-franchise?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md).

## Multi-Unit Dynamics

Like Great Clips (covered in our [Great Clips Item 19 deep dive](/blog/great-clips-item-19-deep-dive?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md)), Sport Clips' franchise base is dominated by multi-unit operators. The single-unit economics are workable but thin; the model rewards operators who can scale to 3-5+ salons under management.

Three reasons:

**Management overhead amortization.** A single salon needs roughly the same minimum management attention as a 3-salon group. Multi-unit operators amortize management costs more efficiently.

**Brand development priorities.** The franchisor's development team favors multi-unit candidates. Single-unit territory in attractive markets is constrained.

**Operating efficiency.** Supplier relationships, hiring pools, marketing efficiency, and operational systems improve at scale. Multi-unit operators run better unit-level margins than first-time single-unit owners.

## What This Means for Buyers

- **The tenure filter is the dominant interpretive variable.** Don't underwrite to the $409K median in year one — the disclosure explicitly excludes ramp-stage units.
- **Year-one revenue is 50-65% of disclosed median.** Plan for $220K-$300K of year-one revenue and ramp over 24-30 months.
- **Brand differentiation is positioning, not economics.** Sport Clips vs Great Clips comes down to operator fit and market demographics.
- **Multi-unit operating is the realistic path.** Single-unit deals work but require operator discipline and patience through the ramp.
- **The MVP service drives the premium.** Operators who maintain strong MVP conversion rates (30%+) sustain higher AUV; operators who let MVP slip drift toward category average.

For brand-specific cost detail, the live `/franchise/sport-clips-inc` page. For broader category context, [best hair salon barbershop franchises](/blog/best-hair-salon-barbershop-franchises?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md).

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## Brands mentioned in this post

- [Great Clips](/franchise/great-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md)
- [Sport Clips](/franchise/sport-clips-inc?utm_source=claude&utm_medium=ai_referral&utm_campaign=vmf_agent_md)
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