Sola Salons vs Cruise Planners: 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
SS

Sola Salons

Retail & Services
$405K – $746K
View Full Profile →
VS
CP

Cruise Planners

Retail & Services
$2K – $23K
View Full Profile →

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
Cruise Planners wins on investment range ($723K less) vs Sola Salons.
Fee Burden
Cruise Planners wins on royalty rate (3.0% lower) vs Sola Salons.
Unit Count
Cruise Planners wins on total units (1,780 more) vs Sola Salons.

Investment & Fees

Metric Sola Salons Cruise Planners
Min Investment $405K $2K
Max Investment $746K $23K
Franchise Fee $55K $695.00
Royalty Rate 6.0% 3.0%
Ad Fund Rate 1.0% 1.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Sola Salons Cruise Planners
Avg Unit Revenue N/A N/A
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Sola Salons Cruise Planners
Total Units 720 2,500
Annual Growth N/A N/A
Failure Rate N/A N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Sola Salons Cruise Planners
Franchisee Satisfaction N/A N/A

Track Record

Metric Sola Salons Cruise Planners
Years in Business 22 30
Years Franchising 18 28

Financial Requirements

Metric Sola Salons Cruise Planners
Min Net Worth Required $500K $50K
Liquid Capital Required $150K $10K

Operations

Metric Sola Salons Cruise Planners
Avg Employees N/A N/A
Training Weeks N/A N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sola Salons or Cruise Planners a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Sola Salons has 720 total units and a track record in its industry. Cruise Planners has 2,500 total units and a track record in its industry. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Sola Salons franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Sola Salons franchise requires an initial investment of $405K – $746K. 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 Cruise Planners franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Cruise Planners franchise requires an initial investment of $2K – $23K. The franchise fee is $695.00, with ongoing royalties of 3.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Sola Salons vs Cruise Planners?

Sola Salons's royalty rate is 6.0%. Cruise Planners's royalty rate is 3.0%. That means Cruise Planners has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Sola Salons or Cruise Planners?

Sola Salons has 720 total units. Cruise Planners has 2,500 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Sola Salons or Cruise Planners semi-absentee friendly?

Sola Salons is typically run as a owner-operator model. Cruise Planners is typically run as a owner-operator 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.

Get Personalized AI Matching

See which franchise fits your budget, lifestyle, and goals — not just which has better raw numbers.

Start Free →

Compare Up to 4 Franchises

Our full comparison tool adds personalized fit scores, FDD insights, and territory availability.

Open Comparison Tool