Franchise Facts Report → compare → Supercuts vs Cost Cutters
Supercuts vs Cost Cutters
Two beauty & personal care franchises, compared on the numbers their own Franchise Disclosure Documents put on record — investment, fees, Item 19 earnings, outlet churn, and litigation. Not marketing copy.
| Supercuts | Cost Cutters | |
|---|---|---|
| Total initial investment FDD Item 7 | $185,930 – $323,460 | $180,990 – $342,340 |
| Initial franchise fee FDD Item 5 | — | $39,500 |
| Royalty FDD Item 6 | 4% | 6% |
| Item 19 earnings disclosed FDD Item 19 | Yes | Yes |
| Avg unit revenue (headline) FDD Item 19 | $322,306 | $279,898 |
| Franchised outlets FDD Item 20 | 1,701 | 329 |
| Net outlet change (latest yr) FDD Item 20 | -234 | -134 |
| Closure rate FDD Item 20 | 7.1% | 8.9% |
| Franchisee lawsuits FDD Item 3 | 9 | disclosed |
| Risk level our read | High | Medium |
| FDD year registration | 2025 | 2025 |
Are Supercuts and Cost Cutters the same company?
No — Supercuts and Cost Cutters are franchised by separate companies. Supercuts's franchisor is SUPERCUTS, INC.; Cost Cutters's is THE BARBERS, HAIRSTYLING FOR MEN & WOMEN, INC.. Each registers and files its own Franchise Disclosure Document, and you would be signing with a different entity depending on which you chose. Note that a registry filing names the franchisor, not necessarily its ultimate parent — two brands owned by the same parent company can still have separate franchisors.
Cost to open
Supercuts is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $185,930 – $323,460, against $180,990 – $342,340 for Cost Cutters.
How much does each make? (Item 19)
Both franchisors make an Item 19 financial performance representation. On the headline average unit revenue each discloses, Supercuts reports the higher figure ($322,306 vs $279,898). Revenue is not profit — check each Item 19 for which units the figure covers.
Closures & failure rate
Supercuts reports 1,701 franchised outlets, net change -234 in the latest reported year, a 7.1% closure rate (FDD Item 20). Cost Cutters reports 329 franchised outlets, net change -134 in the latest reported year, a 8.9% closure rate (FDD Item 20). Outlet churn — closures, terminations, non-renewals — is the closest thing an FDD has to a failure rate.
Litigation
Supercuts discloses 9 franchisee-vs-franchisor proceedings in FDD Item 3. Cost Cutters discloses litigation in FDD Item 3 (each case is described there).
Deciding between Supercuts and Cost Cutters?
See what else fits before you choose. Tell us your budget and state and we'll send you the 5–10 beauty & personal care franchises (or any industries you pick) with the strongest FDD record for it.
Supercuts vs Cost Cutters — frequently asked
Are Supercuts and Cost Cutters the same company?
No — Supercuts and Cost Cutters are franchised by separate companies. Supercuts's franchisor is SUPERCUTS, INC.; Cost Cutters's is THE BARBERS, HAIRSTYLING FOR MEN & WOMEN, INC.. Each registers and files its own Franchise Disclosure Document, and you would be signing with a different entity depending on which you chose. Note that a registry filing names the franchisor, not necessarily its ultimate parent — two brands owned by the same parent company can still have separate franchisors.
What is the difference between Supercuts and Cost Cutters?
Supercuts and Cost Cutters are beauty & personal care franchises from different franchisors (SUPERCUTS, INC. and THE BARBERS, HAIRSTYLING FOR MEN & WOMEN, INC.). Supercuts is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $185,930 – $323,460, against $180,990 – $342,340 for Cost Cutters. Both franchisors make an Item 19 financial performance representation. On the headline average unit revenue each discloses, Supercuts reports the higher figure ($322,306 vs $279,898). Revenue is not profit — check each Item 19 for which units the figure covers.
Is Supercuts more profitable than Cost Cutters?
Both franchisors make an Item 19 financial performance representation. On the headline average unit revenue each discloses, Supercuts reports the higher figure ($322,306 vs $279,898). Revenue is not profit — check each Item 19 for which units the figure covers.
Which is cheaper to open — Supercuts or Cost Cutters?
Supercuts is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $185,930 – $323,460, against $180,990 – $342,340 for Cost Cutters.
Is Supercuts or Cost Cutters growing faster?
Supercuts reports 1,701 franchised outlets, net change -234 in the latest reported year, a 7.1% closure rate (FDD Item 20). Cost Cutters reports 329 franchised outlets, net change -134 in the latest reported year, a 8.9% closure rate (FDD Item 20).
Go deeper on each brand
Beauty & personal care rankings
Figures are as disclosed in each brand's most recent registered FDD (Supercuts 2025, Cost Cutters 2025). “—” means the FDD does not disclose it or the table did not parse cleanly — never an estimate.