Cost Cutters vs Smartstyle
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Cost Cutters and Smartstyle are personal care & beauty franchises. Cost Cutters requires an investment of $181K – $342K while Smartstyle requires $184K – $336K. Cost Cutters discloses average revenue of $280K; Smartstyle does not report Item 19 data. Smartstyle has SBA lending data on file with a 2.3% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Cost Cutters D (Below Average) and Smartstyle C (Average).
| Metric | Cost Cutters | Smartstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | DBelow AverageBelow Average | CAverageAverage |
| Investment Range | $181K – $342K | $184K – $336K |
| Franchise Fee | $40K | $40K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | Weeks 1-52: 4% of Gross Sales; Week 53 through end of Franchise Agreement Term: 5% of Gross Sales or $100 per week, whichever is greater |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $280K | N/A |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | 2.3% (75 loans) |
| Total Units | 405 | 911 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1970 | 1970 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$181K – $342K
$184K – $336K
Franchise Fee
$40K
$40K
Royalty Rate
4.0%
Weeks 1-52: 4% of Gross Sales; Week 53 through end of Franchise Agreement Term: 5% of Gross Sales or $100 per week, whichever is greater
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$280K
N/A
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
2.3% (75 loans)
Total Units
405
911
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1970
1970
FDD Year
2025
2025