Minuteman Press vs Great 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
MP

Minuteman Press

Retail & Services
$74K – $195K
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VS
GC

Great Clips

Retail & Services
$181K – $387K
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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
Minuteman Press wins on investment range ($192K less) vs Great Clips.
Fee Burden
Both have the same royalty rate.
Unit Count
Great Clips wins on total units (3,500 more) vs Minuteman Press.
Satisfaction
Great Clips has available Franchisee Satisfaction data; Minuteman Press does not.

Investment & Fees

Metric Minuteman Press Great Clips
Min Investment $74K $181K
Max Investment $195K $387K
Franchise Fee $55K $20K
Royalty Rate 6.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate 0.0% 5.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Minuteman Press Great Clips
Avg Unit Revenue N/A $400K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Minuteman Press Great Clips
Total Units 1,000 4,500
Annual Growth N/A 1.0%
Failure Rate N/A 2.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Minuteman Press Great Clips
Franchisee Satisfaction N/A 78/100

Track Record

Metric Minuteman Press Great Clips
Years in Business 50 42
Years Franchising 48 39

Financial Requirements

Metric Minuteman Press Great Clips
Min Net Worth Required $250K $250K
Liquid Capital Required $75K $100K

Operations

Metric Minuteman Press Great Clips
Avg Employees N/A 8
Training Weeks N/A 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Minuteman Press or Great Clips a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Minuteman Press has 1,000 total units and a track record in its industry. Great Clips has 4,500 total units and a 78/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Minuteman Press franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Minuteman Press franchise requires an initial investment of $74K – $195K. The franchise fee is $55K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Great Clips franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Great Clips franchise requires an initial investment of $181K – $387K. The franchise fee is $20K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Minuteman Press vs Great Clips?

Minuteman Press's royalty rate is 6.0%. Great Clips's royalty rate is 6.0%. That means Great Clips has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Minuteman Press or Great Clips?

Minuteman Press has 1,000 total units. Great Clips has 4,500 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Minuteman Press or Great Clips semi-absentee friendly?

Minuteman Press is typically run as a owner-operator model. Great 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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