The UPS Store 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
TU

The UPS Store

Retail & Services
$178K – $403K
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VS
SC

Sport Clips

Retail & Services
$266K – $440K
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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
The UPS Store wins on investment range ($37K less) vs Sport Clips.
Fee Burden
The UPS Store wins on royalty rate (1.0% lower) vs Sport Clips.
Unit Count
The UPS Store wins on total units (3,700 more) vs Sport Clips.
Satisfaction
Sport Clips wins on franchisee satisfaction vs The UPS Store.

Investment & Fees

Metric The UPS Store Sport Clips
Min Investment $178K $266K
Max Investment $403K $440K
Franchise Fee $30K $25K
Royalty Rate 5.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.5% 5.0%

Unit Economics

Metric The UPS Store Sport Clips
Avg Unit Revenue $550K $500K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric The UPS Store Sport Clips
Total Units 5,600 1,900
Annual Growth 0.5% 1.0%
Failure Rate 2.0% 2.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric The UPS Store Sport Clips
Franchisee Satisfaction 70/100 76/100

Track Record

Metric The UPS Store Sport Clips
Years in Business 44 30
Years Franchising 44 28

Financial Requirements

Metric The UPS Store Sport Clips
Min Net Worth Required $150K $400K
Liquid Capital Required $75K $100K

Operations

Metric The UPS Store Sport Clips
Avg Employees 4 10
Training Weeks 2 3

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The UPS Store or Sport Clips a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. The UPS Store has 5,600 total units and a 70/100 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 The UPS Store franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a The UPS Store franchise requires an initial investment of $178K – $403K. The franchise fee is $30K, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. 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 The UPS Store vs Sport Clips?

The UPS Store's royalty rate is 5.0%. Sport Clips's royalty rate is 6.0%. That means The UPS Store has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — The UPS Store or Sport Clips?

The UPS Store has 5,600 total units. Sport Clips has 1,900 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is The UPS Store or Sport Clips semi-absentee friendly?

The UPS Store 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.

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