Franchise Anonymous 25+26: hip barbershop chain & peer-to-peer senior care

Happy Sunday, folks. 

As a franchise consultant, I hear pitches from hundreds of different franchise concepts every year. 

I’m taking the most interesting ones, and telling you: 

• What sets them apart

• One potential weakness

• Who the ideal buyer is

My promise: you’ll learn something about franchising every time. 

Today’s franchises: a hip barbershop chain, and peer-to-peer senior care.

The business: Hip barbershop chain

Most hair franchises lean one of two ways: either discount haircut mills or hyper-trendy salons that scare off anyone over 35. This one threads the needle. It’s a high-volume barbershop with legit style, a rock’n’roll edge, and a surprisingly polished corporate backbone.

What they do differently

• They own half their shops. Most franchisors just collect royalties. These guys operate over 70 of their own locations, so the playbook isn’t theoretical—it’s tested and profitable at scale. That shows up in their support systems, which are stronger than usual for this space.

• Unusually strong financials. They claim the highest average unit volume in the industry—around $1M per shop. That’s rare in haircare, where many franchises struggle to break $500K.

• Built for brand loyalty. This isn’t a bland, beige haircut chain. It’s loud, proud, and full of character—think music posters, edgy stylists, and a vibe that keeps both staff and clients coming back.

• 🚩Potential weakness: You need real capital. The startup cost can hit three-quarters of a million dollars, and you’ll be managing a decent-sized team. This is not a side hustle.

The takeaway:

Best fit for someone who wants a branded, retail-style business with real foot traffic and strong unit economics—but isn’t looking to reinvent the wheel. It’s retail, but the kind with a playbook and a fanbase. You’ll need operational chops (or someone who does), but not beauty industry experience.

Interested? Let’s talk barbershops.

The business: Peer-to-peer senior care

Most senior care franchises focus on efficiency: younger caregivers, tight schedules, and a race to fill shifts. This one flips that. It’s seniors caring for other seniors—less clinical, more human.

What they do differently

• They hire older caregivers. Turnover is a huge issue in senior care. This brand solves it by hiring retirees and second-career folks who want to be there. Their retention rate is nearly 4x the industry average. That matters a lot when relationships are the product.

• Non-medical care only. No licenses. No home health regulations. Just help with errands, light housekeeping, companionship, and meal prep. That keeps overhead low and operations straightforward.

• Personality-based matching. Instead of assigning whoever’s available, they pair caregivers and clients based on shared interests and background. It’s subtle—but clients stick around longer when they actually like the person coming through the door.

• 🚩Potential weakness: Slow-to-scale. This model thrives on personal connection and hands-on leadership. It’s not a “hire a GM and disappear” setup. Great if you’re local and involved—tougher if you’re thinking purely as an investor.

The takeaway:

If you’re community-minded, empathetic, and want a business that feels meaningful without getting into clinical care, this is a strong fit. You don’t need a medical background, but you do need people skills and a willingness to lead from the front. Solid margins, relatively low startup costs, and plenty of open territory.

Interested? Let’s talk peer-to-peer senior care.

If these aren’t doing it for you, I work with hundreds of other brands. Get in touch and we can find something that scratches the itch.

Thanks for reading!

Connor

Ready for the next step? Here are 3 ways I can help you: