Sola Salons vs Jackson Hewitt Tax Service: Which Is the Better Investment?

Based on FranchiseStack.ai's analysis of 192+ franchise FDD filings — side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Updated 2026.

Retail & Services Real Data Not Investment Advice
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SS

Sola Salons

Retail & Services
$405K – $746K
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VS
JH

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

Retail & Services
$50K – $250K
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
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service wins on investment range ($496K less) vs Sola Salons.
Fee Burden
Sola Salons wins on royalty rate (6.0% lower) vs Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.
Unit Count
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service wins on total units (5,080 more) vs Sola Salons.
Satisfaction
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service has available Franchisee Satisfaction data; Sola Salons does not.

⚠️ Risk Assessment

Risk signals from FDD disclosures. Higher score = lower risk. Verify all figures in each franchise's current FDD before investing.

Sola Salons
7/10
Lower Risk
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
4/10
Moderate Risk
Risk FactorSola SalonsJackson Hewitt Tax Service
Failure RateN/AN/A
Unit Turnover (Growth)N/A-50%/yr
Total Fee Burden7.0%12.0%
Territory Protection✅ Exclusive✅ Exclusive

Detailed Analysis: Sola Salons vs Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 192+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Sola Salons and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service are among the most-researched franchise comparisons. The choice comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. Both operate in the Retail & Services sector, which means they compete for similar customers and territory. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service has a larger footprint, which typically translates to stronger brand recognition but potentially more territorial saturation.

From a capital perspective, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service has a lower entry point. However, initial investment alone doesn't determine ROI — ongoing royalties, revenue potential, and failure rates all factor into long-term returns. Sola Salons charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket.

Before committing to either franchise, we recommend running both through our Financial Model tool to project personalized 5-year P&L scenarios. You should also review each franchise's complete Franchise Disclosure Document using our FDD Checker to understand litigation history, termination rates, and territory restrictions.

Investment & Fees

Metric Sola Salons Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Min Investment $405K $50K
Max Investment $746K $250K
Franchise Fee $55K $15K
Royalty Rate 6.0% 12.0%
Ad Fund Rate 1.0% N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Sola Salons Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Avg Unit Revenue N/A $100K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Sola Salons Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Total Units 720 5,800
Annual Growth N/A -50.0%
Failure Rate N/A N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Sola Salons Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Franchisee Satisfaction N/A 58/100

Track Record

Metric Sola Salons Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Years in Business 22 N/A
Years Franchising 18 N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Sola Salons Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Min Net Worth Required $500K N/A
Liquid Capital Required $150K N/A

Operations

Metric Sola Salons Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Avg Employees N/A N/A
Training Weeks N/A N/A

⚠️ Risk Indicators

Metric Sola Salons Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Failure Rate N/A N/A
Annual Unit Growth N/A -50.0%
Units Opened Last Year N/A N/A
Units Closed Last Year N/A N/A
Exclusive Territory ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sola Salons or Jackson Hewitt Tax Service 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. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service has 5,800 total units and a 58/100 franchisee satisfaction score. 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 Jackson Hewitt Tax Service franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Jackson Hewitt Tax Service franchise requires an initial investment of $50K – $250K. The franchise fee is $15K, with ongoing royalties of 12.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Sola Salons vs Jackson Hewitt Tax Service?

Sola Salons's royalty rate is 6.0%. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service's royalty rate is 12.0%. That means Jackson Hewitt Tax Service has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Sola Salons or Jackson Hewitt Tax Service?

Sola Salons has 720 total units. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service has 5,800 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Sola Salons or Jackson Hewitt Tax Service semi-absentee friendly?

Sola Salons is typically run as a owner-operator model. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service 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.

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