Great Clips

[Great Clips] is a franchisor of more than 2,700 haircare salons across the United States and Canada, with its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2008, it had system-wide sales of roughly $700 million. Great Clips’ services include haircuts, shampooing, perms and product sales.

Great Clips competes with Supercuts, Fantastic Sams, Master Cuts and several other franchised hair salon businesses.

History

Great Clips started in 1982 as four franchised salons of Canadian-based franchisor Super Clips. That changed, however, when owners Steve Lemmon and David Rubenzer changed the name because it was too similar to that of another franchisor. Following the dissolution of the relationship with the Canadian franchisor and some slight modifications to the salons’ outdoor signs, “Great Clips” was officially born.

Current CEO and Chairman Ray Barton began working with Lemmon and Rubenzer in the fall of 1982 and became part owner and CEO in March of 1983. Barton had been an officer and director with real estate franchising pioneer Century 21 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and like Lemmon and Rubenzer had experience as a hair salon owner prior to Great Clips’ existence.

The first Great Clips salon opened near the University of Minnesota campus in 1982. The first franchised Great Clips salon followed the next year, opening in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Great Clips grew from four salons at the end of 1982 to 19 salons by the end of 1983.

In 1997, Great Clips opened its 1000th salon.

In 2003, Great Clips opened its 2000th salon.

In 2007, Great Clips revamped its salon design, providing a more contemporary appearance.

Charitable work

Great Clips has always placed an emphasis on helping the communities it serves. In 2002, the charity efforts were branded Great Needs. Great Deeds. Charity initiatives include:

• Children’s Miracle Network
• Children’s Hospitals
• Locks of Love
• Cut It Out Program
• Alice Madden Barton Scholarship Program
• Great Clips Annual Charity Golf Classic

Joint promotions

Over the years, Great Clips has partnered with several large corporations, including "Comcast", "Disney", "General Mills", "Sprint" and others. In 2008, Great Clips and Disney coordinated a "Hannah Montana" bus tour that included stops at Great Clips salons across the United States and Canada.

NASCAR

Great Clips sponsors the No. 38 Toyota driven by Jason Leffler in the Nationwide Series. Additionally, the company also sponsors Gabi DiCarlo, who races the No. 90 car and truck in the ARCA Re/Max and Camping World Truck Series.

Leadership

• CEO/ Chairman: Ray Barton
• President: Rhoda Olsen
• Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer: Charlie Simpson
• Executive Vice President, New Business Development: Dean Wieber
• Vice President of Operations: Steve Hockett
• Vice President of Franchise Development: Rob Goggins
• Vice President of Marketing: Terri Miller
• Vice President of Franchise Services/Human Resources: Nancy Uden
• Vice President of Information Technologies: Kathy Wetzel
• Vice President and General Counsel: Sandra Trenda
• Regional Vice President of Business Services East: Yvonne Mercer
• Regional Vice President of Business Services West: Michelle Sack
• Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer: Steve Overholser