How to Finance a Pressed Roots Franchise: Silk Blowout Bars
By Anthony Cornella
A Pressed Roots franchise loan funds a newer kind of salon: a silk blowout bar built around textured hair, with stylists, styling stations, shampoo bowls and a hospitality-style client lounge instead of a full-service color and cut salon. Because the brand is young in franchising, a lender will lean heavily on the franchise documents, the site and the owner’s own strength.
This article explains how Pressed Roots works, which costs to confirm in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), what the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing and its note mean, and how new owners can put together financing for a studio.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Pressed Roots; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Pressed Roots Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: the company describes Pressed Roots as the first silk blowout bar specializing in textured hair, pairing styling with hair-health education and luxury hospitality.
- Revenue streams: silk blowouts, add-on services, retail hair-care products and VIP memberships, according to the company’s own hiring materials.
- Home market: studios in the Dallas area of Texas, with expansion beyond the state under way.
- Initial fee, royalty, marketing fee and total investment: confirm each in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD; we could not verify current figures from the franchisor’s own materials.
- Net worth and liquidity requirements: not published in materials we could verify; ask the franchisor and check the FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Pressed Roots (code S8810), with a note about the lease rider when real estate secures the loan.
What Is Pressed Roots?
Pressed Roots is a blowout bar concept designed for clients with textured and natural hair. Its core service is the silk press or silk blowout, a smoothing style that the brand positions as a healthier, appointment-friendly alternative to longer salon visits. The company says it combines that service with education on caring for textured hair at home and with product recommendations.
The experience is a large part of the brand. Company materials describe complimentary mimosas and beverages and a luxury client setting, which places Pressed Roots closer to a hospitality business than a traditional neighborhood salon.
The brand grew from studios in the Dallas area, including Plano and Arlington, and the company has said publicly that it has begun signing franchisees.
Why lenders view it carefully. A young franchise system has limited operating history, so lenders focus on the FDD, the owner’s liquidity and experience, the lease and a conservative ramp-up plan.
Pressed Roots Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 of the FDD states the initial fee, when it is paid and whether any part is refundable.
Real estate and build-out. Most blowout bars lease space in shopping centers or mixed-use retail areas with strong visibility and parking. Build-out typically covers plumbing for shampoo bowls, electrical capacity for many dryers and tools running at once, ventilation, lighting, finishes and a branded lounge and reception area.
Equipment and furnishings. Expect styling chairs and stations, shampoo bowls and chairs, professional dryers and heat tools, retail fixtures, a point-of-sale and booking system, a beverage station and lounge furniture.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory of professional and retail products, pre-opening payroll for stylist training, grand-opening marketing, deposits, insurance and licenses all come before the first client. Working capital then carries the studio while it builds a regular client and membership base.
Total investment. Item 7 of the FDD gives the estimated initial investment range and the assumptions behind it. Typical line items to review include:
- Initial franchise fee
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Styling, shampoo and drying equipment
- Furniture, fixtures and lounge decor
- Signage
- Technology, booking and point-of-sale systems
- Opening inventory and retail products
- Training, travel and pre-opening payroll
- Grand-opening marketing
- Deposits, licenses and insurance
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Tie each line item in a Pressed Roots franchise loan request to the Item 7 table and to real contractor and vendor quotes.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and brand fund. Item 6 lists the royalty and any brand or marketing fund contribution, usually as a percentage of gross sales. Because both rise with revenue, lenders model them as variable costs that come out before debt service.
Technology and other fees. Booking software, membership management, online scheduling and payment processing often carry recurring charges.
Labor. Stylist pay is the largest operating cost in most salon models. The company’s hiring materials describe an hourly base plus commission, gratuity and bonuses, so labor costs rise and fall with service volume. A lender will want to see how many stylists you need at each stage of the ramp-up.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders start with projected service and retail revenue, subtract royalty, marketing, labor, rent and product costs, and look at what is left to cover loan payments with a cushion.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify published net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements for Pressed Roots. Ask the franchisor directly and check the FDD and application materials.
Expect the franchisor to look for candidates who understand hospitality, can recruit and keep skilled stylists and connect with the textured-hair community. Clarify how involved owners must be, because lenders will ask who runs the studio day to day.
The approval process. A typical path includes an inquiry, an application, discovery conversations, a review of the FDD, approval and then site selection and lease negotiation.
Ways to Own a Pressed Roots
A new studio. Most early franchise owners in a young system will open new locations. Financing covers the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital, and lenders underwrite on projections, the owner’s experience and the lease. Our page on franchise start-up financing covers how new-unit loans are typically structured.
Buying an existing studio. As the system grows, resales may become available. A buyer can then show actual sales and membership data. The franchisor must approve the transfer, and Item 17 explains the conditions. Our article on buying a franchise resale walks through the process.
Multi-unit development. If the franchisor offers development agreements, an owner may commit to opening several studios in a market.
Financing Options for a Pressed Roots Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because Pressed Roots appears on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan is often a strong fit for a new studio. It can combine the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital in one loan.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program is built for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. It fits only if you buy a building or condo unit for your studio, which is less typical for a leased retail salon.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit, liquidity and operating history may qualify for a conventional business loan.
Equipment financing. Styling chairs, shampoo bowls, professional dryers, retail fixtures and point-of-sale hardware can often be financed separately. See our options for franchise equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Pre-opening stylist training, launch marketing and the months spent building a client base all need cash. Learn more about franchise working capital.
Seller financing on resales. In a resale, the seller may agree to carry part of the price. Any seller note would need to be acceptable to the senior lender, is typically subordinate to it, and may be limited by program rules.
SBA Loans for Pressed Roots Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before they make an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees. The listing means the franchise agreement has been reviewed for SBA eligibility; it does not approve any borrower.
Pressed Roots is listed as code S8810. The directory note says that when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Agreement Rider and Collateral Assignment of Lease may not be executed. In plain English, those two documents are designed for a studio in leased space, where the franchisor may want rights over the lease. If you own the property and pledge it as collateral for the SBA loan, those lease documents should not be signed, so they cannot compete with the lender’s interest in the real estate. For owners leasing retail space, the note changes little.
Program size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
Application tips. Bring the FDD and franchise agreement, a signed or near-final lease, contractor bids, equipment quotes, a personal financial statement, tax returns and a detailed business plan. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only and are not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Pressed Roots Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and generally require a personal guarantee on a Pressed Roots franchise loan.
Net worth and liquidity. You will need cash for the equity injection plus reserves after closing. Liquidity matters more when the brand has limited operating history.
Industry and management experience. Salon, spa, hospitality or retail management experience strengthens a request. A licensed stylist or experienced salon manager on the team helps show the lender who will run service quality and scheduling.
Business plan and projections. Build projections around stylist count, chairs, appointment hours, average services per day, add-on and retail sales, and membership growth. Show a realistic ramp-up.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 20, along with the franchise term and transfer rules. Review Items 3 and 4 as well. Our article on how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains what matters most.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease term that covers the loan term, including options, and reasonable rent for the location.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing studio, expect to provide sales reports, membership data and tax returns.
Equipment and Build-Out for a Blowout Bar
A silk blowout bar runs on heat and water. Shampoo bowls require dedicated plumbing and hot water capacity, and a row of professional dryers and heat tools running at once requires electrical capacity that many older retail spaces lack. Confirm these upgrades before signing the lease.
Dryers and tools wear with heavy daily use, so plan a replacement schedule.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Growing a blowout bar business usually means sharing a trained stylist pool, managers and marketing across a market. Once the first studio has operating history, lenders can underwrite its cash flow alongside the new location. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders approach growth.
If you sign a development agreement, match the opening schedule to how quickly you can hire and train stylists.
Real-World Scenarios
A salon manager opening a first studio. An experienced salon manager with savings signs a lease in a busy suburban center. An SBA 7(a) loan covers the build-out, equipment and working capital, and the lender reviews the lease and the plan to recruit stylists before opening.
An owner who buys the building. An owner purchases a small retail condo for the studio. The lender uses the real estate as collateral, and under the directory note the lease rider and collateral assignment of lease are not executed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a lease before confirming plumbing and electrical capacity for shampoo bowls and dryers
- Projecting a full appointment book from the first week
- Underestimating stylist recruiting, training and turnover costs
- Leaving too little working capital for the ramp-up period
- Ignoring the SBA directory note when the real estate will secure the loan
For more pitfalls, read about the franchise loan mistakes that cost buyers the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Pressed Roots Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Get the current disclosure document and review it with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Confirm the franchisor’s requirements. Ask about net worth, liquidity, experience and owner involvement expectations.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist early. Learn what an SBA 7(a) or conventional lender will need before you commit to a site.
Step 4: Select a site and get bids. Get contractor bids for plumbing, electrical and finishes, plus equipment quotes.
Step 5: Build your business plan. Model stylists, appointments, add-ons, retail and memberships month by month.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit your loan package, coordinate the lease and franchise agreement, and arrange working capital before opening.
Pressed Roots Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Pressed Roots franchise cost?
The total estimated initial investment appears in Item 7 of the current FDD. We could not verify current figures from the franchisor’s own materials, so request the FDD and review the full table.
What is the Pressed Roots franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD states the initial franchise fee and any development fees.
What royalty does Pressed Roots charge?
Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand fund contribution and other recurring fees.
How much liquid capital do I need?
We could not verify published requirements. Ask the franchisor, and plan for the equity injection your lender requires plus reserves.
Is Pressed Roots eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. Pressed Roots is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8810, so SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders can consider its franchisees, subject to normal underwriting.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Yes. Chairs, shampoo bowls, dryers and point-of-sale hardware can often be financed apart from the main loan.
Can a first-time owner get a Pressed Roots franchise loan?
Yes, if the franchisor approves you. Lenders look favorably on salon, spa, hospitality or retail management experience.
Can I open more than one studio?
Ask whether the franchisor offers development agreements. Lenders usually finance each studio separately as it opens.
Does Pressed Roots offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD, which discloses any financing the franchisor offers.
How long is the franchise term?
The term and renewal rights are in Item 17 and the franchise agreement. Lenders prefer a remaining term at least as long as the loan.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Review Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations, and build your projections on conservative assumptions.
Final Thoughts
A Pressed Roots franchise loan rests on the details of a young system: the FDD, a well-chosen lease, a build-out budget that covers plumbing and power, and a realistic plan for hiring stylists and building a client base. With SBA directory eligibility in place, owners who prepare early have a clear path to financing their first studio.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing solutions.
