FASTSIGNS vs Sport Clips: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Retail & Services Real Data Not Investment Advice
F

FASTSIGNS

Retail & Services
$234K – $307K
View Full Profile →
VS
SC

Sport Clips

Retail & Services
$266K – $440K
View Full Profile →

At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
FASTSIGNS wins on investment range ($132K less) vs Sport Clips.
Fee Burden
Both have the same royalty rate.
Unit Count
Sport Clips wins on total units (1,130 more) vs FASTSIGNS.
Satisfaction
FASTSIGNS wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Sport Clips.

Investment & Fees

Metric FASTSIGNS Sport Clips
Min Investment $234K $266K
Max Investment $307K $440K
Franchise Fee $50K $25K
Royalty Rate 6.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% 5.0%

Unit Economics

Metric FASTSIGNS Sport Clips
Avg Unit Revenue $900K $500K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric FASTSIGNS Sport Clips
Total Units 770 1,900
Annual Growth 2.0% 1.0%
Failure Rate 2.5% 2.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric FASTSIGNS Sport Clips
Franchisee Satisfaction 80/100 76/100

Track Record

Metric FASTSIGNS Sport Clips
Years in Business 38 30
Years Franchising 36 28

Financial Requirements

Metric FASTSIGNS Sport Clips
Min Net Worth Required $300K $400K
Liquid Capital Required $100K $100K

Operations

Metric FASTSIGNS Sport Clips
Avg Employees 8 10
Training Weeks 4 3

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FASTSIGNS or Sport Clips a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. FASTSIGNS has 770 total units and a 80/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Sport Clips has 1,900 total units and a 76/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a FASTSIGNS franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a FASTSIGNS franchise requires an initial investment of $234K – $307K. The franchise fee is $50K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Sport Clips franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Sport Clips franchise requires an initial investment of $266K – $440K. The franchise fee is $25K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for FASTSIGNS vs Sport Clips?

FASTSIGNS's royalty rate is 6.0%. Sport Clips's royalty rate is 6.0%. That means Sport Clips has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — FASTSIGNS or Sport Clips?

FASTSIGNS has 770 total units. Sport Clips has 1,900 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is FASTSIGNS or Sport Clips semi-absentee friendly?

FASTSIGNS is typically run as a owner-operator model. Sport Clips is typically run as a semi-absentee model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

Get Personalized AI Matching

See which franchise fits your budget, lifestyle, and goals — not just which has better raw numbers.

Start Free →

Compare Up to 4 Franchises

Our full comparison tool adds personalized fit scores, FDD insights, and territory availability.

Open Comparison Tool