How to Finance The Boardroom Salon for Men Franchise: Club Salons
By Anthony Cornella
A Boardroom Salon for Men franchise loan pays for a men’s grooming salon built around haircuts, shaves and spa-style services in a polished, club-like setting. Most of the money goes into a leased storefront build-out, styling stations and spa rooms, the franchise fee and enough working capital to carry payroll while a membership base grows.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by The Boardroom Salon for Men; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by borrower, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Boardroom Salon for Men Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: an upscale men’s grooming salon offering haircuts, shaves and spa services such as facials, color and hand and foot grooming.
- Revenue model: service tickets plus a membership program designed to bring clients back on a regular schedule, along with take-home grooming products.
- Ownership: the system includes franchised salons and salons the company operates itself, and many franchisees run more than one location.
- Fees and total investment: not published in a form we could verify from the franchisor’s own materials; confirm them in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as The Boardroom Salon for Men under code S6399, with a note requiring an affidavit that the business is open to both men and women.
What Is The Boardroom Salon for Men?
The Boardroom Salon for Men is a Texas-born grooming brand that positions itself above the quick-cut barbershop. Its salons pair skilled stylists and barbers with a relaxed, country-club-style atmosphere where a client can book a precision haircut, a hot-towel shave, a facial or hand and foot grooming in one visit.
The brand leans on memberships rather than walk-in traffic and discounting, which smooths revenue and builds long client relationships. Salons also sell a house line of grooming products.
Locations are typically leased storefronts in suburban shopping centers and mixed-use developments. The company operates some salons itself and franchises others.
How lenders view the concept. Lenders generally see haircuts as durable, recurring demand, and memberships add visibility to revenue. The risks are stylist turnover, the cost of a premium interior and the time a new salon needs to fill its book.
Boardroom Salon for Men Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 of the FDD states the initial fee, when it is due and whether multi-unit buyers or veterans receive any reduction. We could not verify the current amount from the franchisor’s own pages, so use the FDD figure in your loan request.
Leasehold improvements. A premium salon needs plumbing for shampoo bowls, upgraded lighting, private treatment rooms and upscale finishes. Build-out is usually the largest cost, and a landlord’s tenant improvement allowance can reduce what you borrow.
Furniture, fixtures and equipment. Styling chairs and stations, shampoo units, hot-towel cabinets, sterilization equipment, facial and spa equipment, retail shelving, point-of-sale systems and booking software all belong in this category.
Opening costs and working capital. Back-bar and retail products, training travel, grand opening marketing and recruiting stylists all come before revenue. Payroll and rent start immediately while memberships build over months, so many borrowers keep a cushion above the Item 7 “additional funds” line.
Total investment. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the low and high estimate for opening a salon. A typical Item 7 table for this kind of business includes:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Furniture, styling stations and spa equipment
- Computer, point-of-sale and booking technology
- Opening inventory of professional and retail products
- Training travel and expenses
- Grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Tie each line of your loan budget to the matching Item 7 range.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and marketing. Item 6 sets the royalty, usually a percentage of gross sales, plus any brand fund contribution and local marketing requirement. Check whether product sales and membership dues are in the base.
Technology. Booking and membership billing platforms often carry monthly fees.
How lenders factor these costs in. When sizing a Boardroom Salon for Men franchise loan, lenders subtract rent, stylist pay, product costs, royalties and marketing fees before measuring what is left for loan payments, then check that projected volume covers both with room to spare.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s minimum net worth and liquid capital requirements were not published in a form we could verify, so ask for them early and confirm them against the FDD. Expect the company to look for:
- Enough personal liquidity to fund the down payment plus a working capital reserve
- Leadership and people-management experience, because stylist recruiting and retention drive results
- A commitment to the membership model and the brand’s service standards
- For multi-unit candidates, a realistic development plan and capital for more than one opening
The process usually runs from inquiry and interviews to FDD review, approval and signing, then site selection, build-out and training. Start financing conversations before you sign a lease.
Ways to Own a Boardroom Salon for Men
Opening a new salon. A new location is a start-up loan: the lender relies on your projections, the FDD and your experience. Read about franchise start-up financing for how these requests are structured.
Buying an existing franchised salon. A resale comes with a membership base, a stylist team and operating history the lender can review. Transfer approval, the remaining franchise term and the lease assignment all matter. Our article on buying a franchise resale covers the steps.
Buying a company-operated salon. Because the company operates some salons itself, buyers may have chances to acquire a corporate location. See financing corporate-owned franchise locations for how those deals differ.
Financing Options for a Boardroom Salon for Men Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan is often the first program buyers consider. It can cover leasehold improvements, equipment, the franchise fee, working capital and, on a resale, goodwill, subject to the directory note below.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program fits owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. Most salons lease space, so 504 is relevant mainly when an owner buys a building or commercial condominium for the salon.
Conventional term loans. Experienced operators may use a conventional business loan for an additional salon or an acquisition.
Equipment financing. Styling chairs, shampoo units, spa equipment and point-of-sale systems can be financed separately so the main loan stays focused on build-out. Learn more about franchise equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. A line of credit or working capital loan can carry stylist payroll during ramp-up, fund retail inventory and smooth slower months. See our franchise working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A selling owner may agree to carry part of the price. Any seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit how it is structured, so raise it early.
SBA Loans for Boardroom Salon for Men Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility, and SBA lenders generally require a listing before making a guaranteed loan to a franchisee. A listing does not approve any borrower. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Our article on the SBA Franchise Directory explains how listings work.
The brand appears as The Boardroom Salon for Men under code S6399, with one note that matters to every SBA borrower.
What the open-to-all note means. SBA-backed businesses generally cannot restrict service by sex. Because the brand markets itself to men, the directory note requires the lender or certified development company to obtain an affidavit signed by the applicant stating that the business is open to both men and women, and to keep evidence in its file that the salon actually serves both. The SBA provides a template of the affidavit on request.
In practice, plan to sign the affidavit and show that your booking system and public materials do not turn away women who want the services. Raise it with your lender at the start so it does not delay closing.
SBA application tips. Prepare a business plan, personal financial statement, tax returns, resume, the franchise agreement, a lease or letter of intent and build-out quotes. The SBA loan calculator gives early payment estimates for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a Boardroom Salon for Men Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review your credit, tax returns and personal financial statement, and owners typically sign a personal guaranty.
Net worth and liquidity. Cash for the down payment and reserves left after closing both matter, because they show you can carry payroll through a slow first season.
Industry and management experience. Salon, hospitality or retail management experience helps, and so does a plan for hiring a salon manager. Lenders want to know who recruits and keeps stylists.
Business plan and projections. Base projections on chair count, stylist hiring, membership growth, average ticket and retail attach rates, and include realistic ramp-up time. Show how royalties and marketing fees scale with sales.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7 and 17, plus territory and transfer terms. Ask the franchisor whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations, and review Items 3 and 4 with your attorney. Our article on how the FDD affects financing explains what lenders focus on.
Site and lease. Visibility, parking, co-tenants, lease term and any tenant improvement allowance all affect a Boardroom Salon for Men franchise loan request.
Historical financials for resales. Expect to review several years of profit and loss statements, membership counts and stylist rosters, and to compare them with tax returns.
Inside the Salon: Stylists, Spa Rooms and Memberships
A grooming salon’s most valuable asset is its team. Stylist turnover can cut revenue quickly, so lenders look at compensation plans, booking rates and whether clients are tied to the brand through memberships rather than to one person.
A premium salon spends more on finishes and spa equipment than a quick-cut shop, so financing chairs and spa units separately can preserve working capital for recruiting and marketing.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Many owners in this system run more than one salon. Once the first location has a track record, lenders can look at its cash flow when underwriting the next. A development agreement sets the number of salons and the opening schedule, and buyers should match that schedule to realistic financing timelines. See our article on multi-unit franchise financing for how lenders view a growing group.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner opening a new salon. A former corporate manager signs for one salon, uses an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and working capital, signs the open-to-all affidavit at application and keeps reserves for stylist payroll during the first months.
A buyer acquiring an established salon. A buyer purchases a franchised location with a stable membership base. The lender underwrites historical results, the franchisor approves the transfer and the landlord assigns the lease.
An operator buying a corporate salon. An owner with two salons buys a company-operated location nearby and finances it based on combined cash flow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overlooking the open-to-all affidavit and its documentation until late in the SBA process
- Underestimating how long it takes to hire a full stylist team and build memberships
- Signing a lease before financing is lined up
- Budgeting a quick-cut build-out for a premium salon interior
- Ignoring royalties and marketing fees when sizing loan payments
- Buying a resale without checking stylist retention and membership trends
For more pitfalls, read the franchise loan mistakes buyers make most often.
Next Steps to Finance Your Boardroom Salon for Men Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Get the current FDD and note the fees, Item 7 total and requirements.
Step 2: Review it with advisors. Have a franchise attorney and accountant review the FDD, franchise agreement and lease terms.
Step 3: Confirm the franchisor’s requirements. Verify the net worth, liquidity and experience standards that apply to you.
Step 4: Build your budget and projections. Tie quotes to Item 7 and model memberships, stylist hiring and ramp-up.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA and conventional structures for your Boardroom Salon for Men franchise loan and plan for the affidavit.
Step 6: Secure your site, close and open. Negotiate the lease with financing contingencies, then coordinate funding with construction, training and hiring.
Boardroom Salon for Men Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Boardroom Salon for Men franchise?
The total investment appears in Item 7 of the current FDD. We could not verify the current range from the franchisor’s own pages, so budget from the FDD.
What is the franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD sets the initial franchise fee and any multi-unit terms. Confirm the current amount before you apply for financing.
What royalty and marketing fees apply?
Item 6 lists the royalty, brand fund contribution, technology fees and other recurring charges. Include each one in your cash flow projections.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
The franchisor sets these minimums, and we could not verify them from its published materials. Ask the franchise team and plan for a down payment plus working capital reserves.
Is the brand eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory as The Boardroom Salon for Men under code S6399. Every borrower still needs approval, and the applicant must sign an affidavit that the business is open to both men and women.
Can I buy an existing salon?
Yes, with franchisor approval of the transfer and a lender review of the salon’s financials and lease.
Can a first-time owner get a Boardroom Salon for Men franchise loan?
Often, yes, when the borrower brings management experience, adequate liquidity and a solid plan.
Can I open more than one salon?
Many owners do. Lenders usually finance the next salon based on the first one’s results.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD, which discloses any financing the franchisor offers. Most buyers arrange their own loans.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 and the franchise agreement set the term, renewal and transfer conditions. Lenders often prefer a loan term that does not run past the remaining franchise term.
Final Thoughts
A Boardroom Salon for Men franchise loan is a financing plan for a people-driven, membership-based business with a premium interior. Buyers who confirm the FDD figures, prepare for the SBA open-to-all affidavit, budget realistically for stylist hiring and keep reserves for the ramp-up period give themselves the best chance of a smooth approval.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing solutions.
