Salon, Spa & Beauty
Salons, spas, waxing centers, and beauty service franchises
What PE Ownership Means for This Industry
3,000+ PE-owned locations
PE-backed franchises dominate the beauty services industry
From Massage Envy to European Wax Center, PE firms own thousands of beauty service franchise locations. Workers face low wages and independent operators struggle to compete with PE-funded expansion.
Source: Franchise Business Review, 2024
PE-Owned Brands
Drybar
Blow-dry bar franchise with 140+ locations, backed by PE investors
7 locations tracked
European Wax Center
Owned by General Atlantic
Waxing services franchise backed by General Atlantic with 950+ locations nationwide
8 locations tracked
Massage Envy
Owned by Roark Capital
Largest massage and facial franchise in the US with 1,100+ locations, owned by Roark Capital
6 locations tracked
Salon Lofts
Owned by Audax Group
Audax Private Equity-backed salon suite rental concept with 210+ locations
4 locations tracked
Sola Salons
Largest salon studios franchise in the world with 650+ locations
7 locations tracked