The History of Great Clips

This is the story of how Great Clips grew from a single salon in Minneapolis to what it is today—the largest haircare brand in the country. Built on a foundation of convenience, affordability, and customer focus, Great Clips has transformed the haircutting industry and created opportunities for thousands of stylists and franchise owners across North America.

The Beginning: A New Kind of Salon (1982)

Great Clips was founded in 1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a simple but powerful idea: make getting a haircut more convenient for busy people. At a time when most salons were full-service and appointment-based, the founders of Great Clips wanted to create something different—affordable haircuts, no appointments, and extended evening and weekend hours.

That first location proved the concept worked. Customers loved the convenience, and stylists loved the chance to focus on the art of haircutting without the distractions of other services.

Franchising and Rapid Expansion

In 1983, Great Clips began franchising, which fueled its growth across the Midwest and, eventually, the entire United States. The franchise model allowed local owners—like Chestnut Partners in Maine—to bring Great Clips’ proven business system into their communities while still being deeply connected to the local culture and customers.

By the 1990s and 2000s, Great Clips had become one of the largest salon brands in the nation, with thousands of locations coast to coast.

Innovation in Technology

One of the reasons Great Clips has thrived is its willingness to innovate. The brand introduced Clip Notes®, a system that stores haircut details so customers can get a consistent look no matter which salon they visit. Later, the launch of the Great Clips Online Check-In app revolutionized the industry by allowing customers to see wait times and reserve their place in line before even arriving at the salon.

These tools set Great Clips apart as not just a haircut salon, but a customer-focused brand that uses technology to make life easier.

Today: The Largest Salon Brand in the World

Great Clips now operates more than 4,400 salons across the U.S. and Canada, making it the largest salon brand in the world. Each salon is independently owned and operated by franchisees, which means local ownership and community investment remain central to the Great Clips model.

At Chestnut Partners, we’re proud to carry on that legacy here in Maine—combining the strength of a nationally recognized brand with the warmth and care of a locally owned business.

The Legacy Moving Forward

The history of Great Clips is built on three things: convenience, affordability, and consistency. Those principles remain as true today as they were in 1982. For stylists, that means being part of a company that values skill, education, and teamwork. For customers, it means knowing they can always walk in, get a great haircut, and walk out ready to take on the day.