Supercuts 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
S

Supercuts

Retail & Services
$152K – $312K
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
Supercuts wins on investment range ($128K less) vs Sport Clips.
Fee Burden
Both have the same royalty rate.
Unit Count
Supercuts wins on total units (500 more) vs Sport Clips.
Satisfaction
Sport Clips wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Supercuts.

Detailed Analysis: Supercuts vs Sport Clips

Choosing between Supercuts and Sport Clips comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. Both operate in the Retail & Services sector, which means they compete for similar customers and territory. Supercuts has a larger footprint, which typically translates to stronger brand recognition but potentially more territorial saturation.

From a capital perspective, Supercuts has a lower entry point. However, initial investment alone doesn't determine ROI — ongoing royalties, revenue potential, and failure rates all factor into long-term returns. Sport Clips charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket. If passive ownership matters to you, Sport Clips supports a semi-absentee model — you can hire a manager and maintain other income sources.

Franchisee satisfaction is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. Sport Clips leads with a 76/100 satisfaction score, indicating that existing owners are more positive about their decision. Before committing to either franchise, we recommend running both through our Financial Model tool to project personalized 5-year P&L scenarios. You should also review each franchise's complete Franchise Disclosure Document using our FDD Checker to understand litigation history, termination rates, and territory restrictions.

Investment & Fees

Metric Supercuts Sport Clips
Min Investment $152K $266K
Max Investment $312K $440K
Franchise Fee $25K $25K
Royalty Rate 6.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A 5.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Supercuts Sport Clips
Avg Unit Revenue $300K $500K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Supercuts Sport Clips
Total Units 2,400 1,900
Annual Growth -50.0% 1.0%
Failure Rate N/A 2.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Supercuts Sport Clips
Franchisee Satisfaction 63/100 76/100

Track Record

Metric Supercuts Sport Clips
Years in Business N/A 30
Years Franchising N/A 28

Financial Requirements

Metric Supercuts Sport Clips
Min Net Worth Required N/A $400K
Liquid Capital Required N/A $100K

Operations

Metric Supercuts Sport Clips
Avg Employees N/A 10
Training Weeks N/A 3

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Supercuts or Sport Clips a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Supercuts has 2,400 total units and a 63/100 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 Supercuts franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Supercuts franchise requires an initial investment of $152K – $312K. The franchise fee is $25K, 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 Supercuts vs Sport Clips?

Supercuts'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 — Supercuts or Sport Clips?

Supercuts has 2,400 total units. Sport Clips has 1,900 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Supercuts or Sport Clips semi-absentee friendly?

Supercuts 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