Drybar Franchise

Drybar, a WellBiz Brands franchise, has been franchising since 2011 - 3 years after the concept was founded in 2008 , currently with 155 total locations in the retail sector, headquartered in CA. According to the 2024 FDD, the total initial investment ranges from $430K to $740K - a 72% spread between the low and high end that reflects how site size, market, and buildout scope change the capital requirement. This figure includes the franchise fee of $35K, equipment, leasehold improvements, and initial working capital through the ramp-up period.

Ongoing royalties run 7.0% of gross sales with an additional 2.0% national advertising fund contribution, bringing the combined ongoing cost to 9.0% of every dollar in sales. Critically, Drybar does disclose financial performance data in Item 19, a voluntary disclosure that only about a third of U.S. franchisors make. The reported average gross revenue per location is $700K, meaning the typical unit pays roughly $49K per year in royalty alone. Revenue is not profit, actual franchisee take-home depends on rent, labor, cost of goods, and local demand.

Network momentum is currently positive: Drybar added units at a 3.2% net rate year-over-year (10 openings, 5 closures). Sustained positive growth is a signal that the unit-economics are working well enough to attract new operators, though late-stage growth can also reflect aggressive sales push rather than operational health. Before committing capital, triangulate this summary against the full FDD, a franchise attorney's review, and direct conversations with five or more current and former franchisees from Item 20.