Australia’s leading professional hair care retailer is embarking on a new era of rapid expansion and has targeted former Qantas and Virgin employees in their five-year plan with a special deal.
Price Attack Salons’ Network Development Manager Delena Farmer is on the hunt for potential franchisees with the company setting a 2025 expansion and customer service strategy at lifting store numbers from 65 to 120.
“Our franchise owners come from all walks of life,” Ms Farmer said. “Price Attack is focused on customer service and delivering professional advice to our clients. Qantas and Virgin staff are highly skilled in this area and we see that there’s an opportunity for them to come on board and start a new career on the ground rather than in the air delivering amazing transformations for our loyal client base.
“Flight crews are normally detailed oriented and know the importance of following systems and processes, all of which are provided thanks to the Price Attack proven franchise system. That’s why we’re offering an introductory price for any Qantas or Virgin staff looking to embrace a new career.”
In the wake of mass redundancies in the airline sector, Price Attack Salons is waiving 75% of the franchise fee for former Virgin or Qantas employees.
Drawing on 30 years in the franchise sector, newly appointed CEO John Pascoe says anyone made redundant can have confidence in the franchise sector, as it continues to be resilient and, if managed and supported correctly, has a strong model for being successful.
Mr Pascoe said the dramas unfolded by the RFG group brought about significant industry changes.
“The franchisor focus is all about building partnerships for success,” he said. “It has also made franchisees seek out the good franchisors: those with the tried and tested operations. The hair care sector is worth $500 million a year and continues to grow 3%year on year. Price Attack Salons is ranked 3rd largest in the hair care industry. We are looking to increase our store numbers by 46% after identifying regional centres where there is a real need to a retailer like Price Attack Salons.
“The brand’s resilience comes from being a service provider. Everyone needs to get their hair done: this is not something that you can buy online. Hairdressing is a profession and not typically something that is done well by those who are not trained.”
With 20 years’ experience in the franchise sector, Ms Farmer credits the Franchising Code of Conduct to providing the structure to the industry that continues to grow and provide small business opportunities to Australians who may not necessarily have the skills or support needed to start their own business.
Ms Farmer still remembers taking her sons now aged 18 and 20 to the Loganholme Price Attack salon south of Brisbane for their first haircuts.
“It’s a brand that has so much to offer, both a franchisee and the customer and let’s not forget it has been around for over 30 years,” she said. “Price Attack has a strong presence in regional Australia, and we don’t see that changing any time soon, in fact, we are desperate to find franchise owners in areas like, Mandurah WA, Bendigo (VIC), Rockhampton (QLD), Wollongong (NSW) and Albury/Wodonga (NSW/VIC).
“We also have some great opportunities on the Brisbane/Gold Coast corridor with several existing stores owned by Price Attack Corporate Office that are already trading with the hard work all done for you. They have staff already trained and ready for a new franchise owner to take the store to the next level and really embed themselves into the local community.
“Once established our stores become a beacon for professional advice and the best products on the market for both in salon and for home hairdressing, especially given events like covid-19 where opportunities to visit salons was a challenge – people could still get advice and products.”
Ms Farmer said the burning questions were always around, how much it costs to get into a business and then how much money can be expected to be made.
“Our stores all have different configurations firstly on size, and then of course fit out costs will vary depending on the size of the store,” she said. “The best way to look at it is that the initial franchise fee cost is $50,000 plus GST and then we work with the potential franchisee and landlords to negotiate the best financial outcome for business.
“In relation to how much money can be made, again, this is quite subjective, this will depend on staff employed, location of the store and how many hair stylists are employed. I’m also asked about the level of training offered.
“We are committed to new franchisees and provide them with four weeks comprehensive training programme as well as ongoing training for them and their staff. Our industry partners are also committed to training so all staff, whether they be stylists or retail assistants, know exactly how the products are to be used and the results the client can expect.”