The Franchise: Encinitas, California-based Phenix Salon Suites allows salon and beauty professionals to operate their own business in a private suite within a larger salon space. Founded in 2007 by beauty expert and celebrity hairstylist Gina Rivera, the company currently has 315 locations across 33 states, including four in Wisconsin in Brookfield, Greenfield and Madison. Nick Stauff, who has a background in restaurant franchising, will expand Phenix’s local footprint with his first shop, in New Berlin.
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Tenants can customize their suites, set their own hours and operate their beauty businesses as sole proprietors.[/caption]
Spring 2019 - July 2020:
Nick Stauff, and his wife, Kim Stauff – who’s worked in the beauty industry for 15 years – brought Tropical Smoothie Cafe to the southeastern Wisconsin market. Stauff operated a location on South Moorland Road in New Berlin for only about a year and a half before selling it.
“That was my first experience in franchising, and I had a phenomenal experience. It was such a success that it basically took over my life. I was working way too much,” said Nick Stauff.
Summer 2020:
An ownership change at the full-service spa and salon where Kim was a hairstylist prompted her to strike out on her own. Nick wanted to help make that possible, so he started researching salon suite concepts. He soon learned about Phenix from a former colleague who had left a corporate position at Tropical Smoothie to work for the salon suite company.
“It’s such a great model, and the demand is there for cities that can support it,” Nick Stauff said.
Oct. 2021:
Stauff signed on as a Phenix franchisee, agreeing initially to a one-unit development. But long term, his plan is to open five locations in the next five to seven years, targeting the North Shore area, Lake Country, Germantown and Menomonee Falls.
“I want to provide a beautiful space that’s going to help professionals become their own entrepreneurs, and I want to see them succeed,” Nick Stauff said.
Fall of 2022:
Phenix Salon Suites is slated to open at 15445 W. National Ave., New Berlin. The 5,600-square-foot salon will feature the company’s newly launched suite design. It’ll have 29 private suites equipped with upscale amenities.
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Phenix will take over a storefront formally home to Peach Tree Family Restaurant.[/caption]
The franchise fee:
$52,500
