How to Finance a Ginger & Maude Hair Salon Franchise: Salon Costs
By Chris Cornella
A Ginger & Maude Hair Salon franchise loan funds a boutique, appointment-based hair salon from a brand that built its reputation in the Portland, Oregon area on inclusive service and a purpose-driven culture. Because the concept runs on a team of employed stylists rather than rented chairs, financing has to cover the build-out, salon equipment, retail product and enough working capital to carry payroll while the client book grows.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Ginger & Maude Hair Salon; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you commit.
Ginger & Maude Hair Salon Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a boutique hair salon offering cuts for all hair types, including curly and coily hair, plus color services such as balayage, highlights and grey blending, hair and scalp treatments, and retail hair care products.
- Founder: Deanna Everson, who built the brand in Oregon.
- Positioning: the company describes Ginger & Maude as North America’s first B Corp hair salon, meaning it is certified for meeting standards of social and environmental performance.
- Footprint: a small, regional brand with salons in the Portland, Oregon area.
- Fees and investment: the franchise fee, royalty, marketing contributions and estimated initial investment appear in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD. We could not verify these from the franchisor’s own published materials, so request the current FDD before you budget.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “Ginger & Maude Hair Salon” under code S7568, with a note about lease documents when real estate secures the loan.
What Is Ginger & Maude Hair Salon?
Ginger & Maude is a hair salon brand founded by Deanna Everson. The company describes its salons as welcoming, boutique spaces that offer hair services and products while promoting inclusion and the well-being of customers, employees and the surrounding community.
Inclusive service. Ginger & Maude puts weight on serving every hair type. The company created a free Learning Exchange program for clients with curly and coily hair that covers consulting, detangling, cleansing, cutting, finishing, coloring and product guidance, built to close a training gap the founder saw in the industry.
A people-first employer. The company describes hiring practices that remove identifying information from applications, education designed for different learning styles, paid holidays chosen by staff and a feedback process meant to be free of retaliation.
Why it matters to lenders. Ginger & Maude is a young, regional franchise rather than a national chain. A lender reviewing a Ginger & Maude Hair Salon franchise loan will lean heavily on the owner’s experience, the strength of the site and the realism of a staffing plan. The SBA Franchise Directory listing clears one hurdle for SBA-guaranteed financing, but it is not an endorsement of the business.
Ginger & Maude Hair Salon Franchise Costs
Because we could not confirm a published fee schedule, every figure in your budget should come from the current FDD and from quotes for your specific space.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the initial franchise fee and any fees for additional salons. The fee is usually an eligible use of loan proceeds, but it must appear in your sources and uses.
Lease and build-out. Most salons occupy leased retail space. A build-out typically includes plumbing for shampoo bowls, upgraded water heating, electrical for dryers and lighting, ventilation for chemical services, a reception and retail area, and a finish that matches the brand’s boutique look. Our page on franchise start-up financing explains how new locations are funded.
Equipment and furnishings. Styling chairs and stations, shampoo bowls and chairs, dryers, color bar and dispensary fixtures, mirrors, lighting, a laundry setup and booking and point-of-sale technology.
Opening inventory. Professional color and chemical stock for the back bar, plus retail hair care products for resale.
Working capital. An employee-based salon pays stylists, educators and front desk staff before every chair is booked. Pre-opening hiring and training, a grand opening and the first months of payroll and rent all need cash.
Item 7 of the FDD will typically group costs into lines like these:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent during build-out
- Leasehold improvements, plumbing and electrical work
- Salon furniture, stations and shampoo equipment
- Signage and decor
- Computer, booking and point-of-sale systems
- Opening back-bar and retail inventory
- Training, travel and pre-opening payroll
- Licenses, permits, insurance and professional fees
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Confirm that the line items add up to the stated total and note the salon size and format that Item 7 assumes.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and marketing. Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand fund contribution, local marketing requirements and technology or software fees. Percentage-based fees grow with sales and are paid before your loan payment.
Education and culture costs. A brand that invests in stylist education and staff benefits asks the owner to budget for training hours, continuing education and the paid time off that supports retention. Build these into your operating plan rather than treating them as optional.
How lenders treat these fees. Lenders measure debt service coverage on cash flow after royalties, marketing fees, rent and payroll. In a salon, payroll is usually the largest expense, so a Ginger & Maude Hair Salon franchise loan should be sized against what remains after paying the team, not against gross service sales.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify published net worth or liquid capital minimums. Ask the franchisor for its written requirements and review the FDD for training and opening obligations.
Values fit. A brand built around inclusion and B Corp standards will look closely at whether a candidate shares those values and will operate the salon the same way.
Experience. Salon management, cosmetology or multi-employee service business experience strengthens both the franchise application and the loan request. If you are not a stylist, plan for a strong lead stylist or salon manager.
Approval process. Expect an inquiry, conversations with the franchisor, a review of your finances, FDD delivery and a waiting period, approval of your site and lease, and training before opening.
Ways to Own a Ginger & Maude Hair Salon
Open a new salon. A new location gives you control over the space and design but carries the full build-out cost and a ramp-up period while stylists build their books.
Buy an existing location. If an owner sells, the buyer acquires the salon subject to franchisor approval of the transfer. Lenders focus on historical sales, stylist retention and the remaining lease term. Read our article on buying a franchise resale before you make an offer.
Financing Options for a Ginger & Maude Hair Salon Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. The SBA 7(a) program can combine the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital in one loan. See our SBA 7(a) loan options.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the building that houses the salon, the SBA 504 program is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment. This is also where the directory note below comes into play.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit, collateral and salon experience may qualify for a conventional business loan, often for a second salon.
Equipment financing. Styling stations, shampoo units, dryers and booking technology can be financed separately to preserve cash. Learn more about franchise equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Salon traffic rises before holidays, weddings and back-to-school season and can slow in other weeks. A line of credit helps cover payroll and product orders through uneven periods. Explore franchise working capital solutions.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may agree to carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the primary loan, and some loan programs limit how they can be structured.
SBA Loans for Ginger & Maude Hair Salon Franchisees
SBA-guaranteed loans are made by participating lenders, with the SBA guaranteeing a portion. For a franchise, the lender checks the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm the brand’s agreements are eligible.
Directory status. Ginger & Maude Hair Salon is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S7568. The listing carries a note: when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Agreement Rider and the Collateral Assignment of Lease may not be executed.
What the note means. Most salon franchisees lease their space, and franchisors often use lease riders that let them step into the lease if a franchise ends. When the borrower owns the building and pledges it as collateral, those lease documents conflict with the lender’s lien on the property, so they should not be signed in that situation.
Program size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million (program rules can change), which is generally well above what a single salon requires.
SBA application tips.
- Provide the full FDD and the franchise agreement you will sign.
- Include contractor bids and equipment quotes that match the Item 7 categories.
- Document your salon, cosmetology or management experience in a detailed resume.
- Estimate payments with our SBA loan calculator.
How Lenders Evaluate a Ginger & Maude Hair Salon Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review your credit report, tax returns and existing obligations, and usually require a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Expect to inject equity and keep reserves after closing to cover a slow start.
Industry and management experience. Leading a team of service professionals is the core skill. Lenders value prior salon ownership, salon management or cosmetology licensing.
Business plan and projections. Base assumptions on chair count, stylist hiring pace, service mix between cuts and color, average ticket, retail product sales, rebooking and the time it takes new stylists to fill their schedules. Our article on writing a franchise business plan for an SBA loan walks through the structure.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review fees, territory, term, renewal and transfer terms. Learn more about how the FDD affects franchise financing.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease that runs at least as long as the loan, reasonable rent, landlord consent for improvements and visibility and parking that support appointment traffic.
Staffing: The Key Underwriting Question
Unlike booth rental models, employee-based salons like Ginger & Maude carry payroll, benefits and education costs in exchange for more control over the client experience and the brand.
- Hiring ramp: show when each stylist joins and how quickly their book is expected to fill.
- Compensation plan: explain how stylists are paid and how pay changes as their productivity grows.
- Retention: describe how education and culture support stylist retention, which protects revenue.
- Retail: include product sales and the inventory you need to support them.
Multi-Unit Growth
Owners who succeed with one salon may add a second nearby, sharing education and management. Lenders typically finance each salon separately and use the first salon’s results to support the next. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders view growth.
Real-World Scenarios
The stylist turned owner. A senior stylist with a loyal client base opens a salon in a second-generation space. An SBA 7(a) loan covers the franchise fee, remodel, equipment and working capital.
The building buyer. An owner buys a small commercial building for the salon using an SBA 504 loan. Because the real estate secures the loan, the lease rider documents named in the directory note are not executed.
The resale buyer. A buyer acquires an existing salon with a seller note subordinate to the primary loan, subject to franchisor approval and stylist retention.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating payroll during the ramp-up period.
- Budgeting too little for plumbing and electrical work.
- Overlooking the directory note when buying the real estate.
- Assuming stylists will stay after a resale without a retention plan.
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term.
Read more in our article on franchise loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Ginger & Maude Hair Salon Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney.
Step 2: Confirm the franchisor’s requirements. Ask about net worth, liquidity, experience and the approval process.
Step 3: Find a site. Compare second-generation salon spaces with raw retail space.
Step 4: Gather documents. Collect tax returns, a personal financial statement, a resume and contractor and equipment quotes.
Step 5: Build projections. Model stylist hiring, service mix, retail and payroll.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate closing. Align franchise approval, lease signing and loan closing so construction can begin on schedule.
Ginger & Maude Hair Salon Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Ginger & Maude franchise cost?
The estimated initial investment is disclosed in Item 7 of the current FDD.
What is the franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD.
What royalty does Ginger & Maude charge?
Royalty and marketing contributions are listed in Item 6.
How much liquid capital do I need?
We could not verify a published minimum. Ask the franchisor, and expect lenders to require an equity injection plus reserves.
Is Ginger & Maude eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S7568. Approval still depends on your qualifications.
What does the SBA directory note mean?
If the salon’s real estate secures the loan, the Lease Agreement Rider and Collateral Assignment of Lease are not executed. If you lease the space, the note generally does not change your paperwork.
Do I need to be a stylist?
Not necessarily, but lenders and the franchisor will want to see salon management experience or a capable salon manager.
Can I finance salon equipment separately?
Yes. Equipment financing or leasing can cover stations, shampoo units and dryers apart from your main loan.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses whether the franchisor offers any financing.
How long is the franchise term?
The term, renewal and transfer conditions are in Item 17 of the FDD.
Final Thoughts
A Ginger & Maude Hair Salon franchise loan finances more than chairs and mirrors: it funds a team, a culture and a boutique space built for every hair type. Buyers who verify each figure in the FDD, plan carefully for payroll and understand the SBA directory note will be best positioned for a strong opening.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing solutions.
