Why Hair Businesses Can Be a Hairy Issue When It Comes to Selling

Let’s look at the real market.

Type Typical Selling Price Likelihood of Sale

Solo operator (on tools) <$80,000 Very low

Two-chair barbershop $50,000–$90,000 Low

Small salon with casuals $90,000–$150,000 Moderate

Structured, team-led salon $150,000–$350,000+ Higher — but rare

If there’s no documented proof that the business earns money without the owner behind the chair, the multiple tanks. Most buyers discount heavily or walk away.

📊 4. Fitout ≠ Value

Salon owners often say:

“It cost me $120K to set this up — I want at least that back.”

But here’s the truth:

Fitouts depreciate fast

A 5-year-old basin is worth next to nothing

A new buyer will want to refurb anyway

💡 Buyers pay for earnings and transferability — not furniture.

🔄 5. What Actually Makes a Hair Business Saleable?

Here’s the hard truth: 90% of hair and barber businesses won’t sell at all.

But here’s what lifts the chances for the other 10%:

✅ The owner is off the tools

✅ A stable team is in place (even 2–3 stylists)

✅ Clients are loyal to the business, not the owner

✅ There’s a CRM system tracking rebookings and revenue

✅ The salon runs like a business, not a hobby

🎯 If your business has these traits, 2.0x–2.4x EBITDA is achievable. If it doesn’t? You may be looking at a glorified asset sale.

✂️ Final Snip

Hair businesses are tough to sell — not because they’re bad businesses, but because they’re usually not businesses at all. They’re jobs in disguise.

Sellers: If you want to sell, you have to step back. Build a team, delegate, systemise, and get off the tools.

Buyers: Don’t pay for someone’s wage stream. Pay for a system that runs without the founder cutting hair.

Because in this game, the value doesn’t come from the scissors — it comes from the hand that can afford to put them down.