Waxing the City offers boutique waxing studios for body and facial hair removal services, known for providing a high-end salon experience. Operating in the personal care and beauty services industry.
The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Waxing the City franchise ranges from $339,945 to $646,195. This includes $136,042 to $170,242 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates [p.1, p.217].
The initial franchise fee is due in full when you sign the Franchise Agreement if no Area Development Agreement is signed. If an Area Development Agreement is signed, it is referred to as a Development Fee and must be paid in full for all Waxing Studios committed to open at the time of signing [p.16].
The ongoing weekly royalty fee is a nonrefundable payment equal to the greater of $100 per week or 6% of Gross Revenues generated in the preceding week by the Waxing Studio [p.137]. Additionally, you must spend at least $1,500 per month on local advertising after completing the Grand Opening and Ramp Up Plan [p.138, p.46], with this amount potentially increasing during peak times for the waxing industry.
The term length of the initial franchise agreement isn't specified in these excerpts. Additionally, while the FDD mentions provisions for a franchisor to potentially refuse renewal without fairly compensating the franchisee, the specific conditions under which this might occur are not detailed here. [p.5]
According to the FDD, you can transfer ownership of your franchise except for good cause as determined by the franchisor [p.5]. However, if you transfer before opening the Waxing Studio, the fee is $12,000; after opening, it's $7,500, plus any broker fees or commissions incurred [p.25]. This isn't specified in the excerpts.
The franchisor may terminate the agreement on any grounds available by law [p.227]. This includes changes to the franchisee's business model and operations as outlined in the franchise manuals, which the franchisor is allowed to modify without the franchisee's consent [p.3], though such changes could require additional investments or harm the franchise business.
This isn't specified in the excerpts. The provided FDD sections discuss franchise capital accounts for loans or advances, cash management practices, and financing options like Portfolio Loans, but they do not detail specific net worth or liquid capital requirements for franchise qualification.
You do not receive an exclusive territory but are granted a protected territory. This protected territory restricts the franchisor from developing or licensing others to operate a Waxing Studio in your designated area, as long as you comply with the Development Schedule [p.51]. However, the franchisor retains the right to operate or license other businesses under different names within your protected territory [p.52].
The franchisor provides initial management training at their expense, which includes instruction on basic operating skills and other selected topics [p.141]. They also offer ongoing telephone or online support during business hours for operational issues and customer experience discussions [p.143]. Additionally, the franchisor conducts an on-site training program within the first 60 days after opening, lasting up to two days, focusing on studio operations and customer experience [p.143].
As of December 31, 2025, there were 167 franchised Waxing Studios in operation. During the Relevant Time Period, 15 Waxing Studios permanently closed, with four closing before operating for at least 12 months and two of those closures occurring in 2025 [p.60].
The franchisor can provide actual records of an existing outlet you are considering buying [p.64]. Additionally, they may supplement the information provided in Item 19 with possible performance at a particular location or under specific circumstances, but they do not make representations about future financial performance or past performance of franchised outlets [p.60, p.64].
You are generally required to follow the franchisor's policies and procedures but are not limited in who you can offer your products and services to [p.56]. However, you may be required to purchase certain items or services from approved vendors, including mandatory vendors (from whom you must purchase certain items), designated vendors (for items that must be purchased from vendors approved by the franchisor), and preferred vendors (approved vendors for categories where approval is not strictly required) [p.31]. Additionally, you might need to buy minimum amounts of business supplies and marketing materials during the term of the agreement, which could be auto-shipped to you at your cost [p.139].