In 2004, Sola Salons was established with the opening of its first location in Denver, Colorado. Now with more than 736 locations open in the U.S. and Canada, Sola is proud to offer 20,000+ independent beauty professionals the freedom and benefits of salon ownership without the risk and overhead of opening a traditional salon. Its innovative salon model empowers hair stylists, estheticians, cosmetologists, barbers, nail techs, massage therapists, health and wellness professionals, and other like-minded professionals to take control of their lives and their careers. Sola provides beauty professionals with beautiful, fully equipped salon studios alongside the support and tools they need to launch their salon business in no time.

Scott Thompson has over two decades of comprehensive experience in the franchise industry, spanning roles such as franchisee, multi-unit operator, area director, consultant, franchisor executive, and board member. He is currently the Chief Development Officer for Radiance Holdings, overseeing Sola Salons and Woodhouse Spa. Prior to this, Scott served as President of Premier Martial Arts, part of the Unleashed Brands family. His past positions also include Chief Development Officer and Managing Director at Level 5 Capital, where he managed companies such as Big Blue Swim School, Heyday, Restore Hyper-Wellness, KidStrong, and GoDog.

Franchise Chatter (FC): Sola Salons has seen remarkable growth, surpassing 736 locations across the U.S. and Canada. What factors have been key to this expansion, and what markets are you targeting next? 

Scott Thompson (ST): Since pioneering the salon suite concept in 2004, Sola Salons has remained the industry leader by staying true to our mission: empowering beauty professionals to live their dreams through entrepreneurship and independence. Our model continues to grow in popularity and is driven by our recession-resilient real estate rental model, which offers franchisees strong occupancy rates with minimal staff requirements, alongside the increasing demand from stylists and beauty professionals who want to control their own careers.

Looking ahead, we see continued expansion in key cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Southern Connecticut, Houston, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City.
 
FC: With increasing demand for salon suite concepts, what differentiates Sola Salons from competitors in this space? 

ST: Sola Salons isn’t just a place to rent a suite—it’s a full-scale support system designed to help beauty professionals thrive as independent entrepreneurs. We provide turnkey, fully equipped studios, but what truly sets us apart is our commitment to education, community, and empowerment. Through resources like the Sola Pro app, our annual Sola Sessions education events, and the Faces of Sola ambassador program, we ensure that our professionals have the tools, mentorship, and business acumen to succeed.

Additionally, our franchise model is backed by over two decades of expertise in the salon suite sector. With over 736 locations and 20,000+ independent beauty professionals, we’ve built a dynamic and supportive network that no competitor can match.

FC: Sola Salons was recently ranked No. 1 in the Salon Suites category on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list. What does this recognition mean for the brand and its franchisees? 

ST: This recognition reflects Sola’s leadership in the salon suite industry and the strength of our business model. As the first and largest salon suite brand, we have spent 20 years refining a system that supports both beauty professionals and franchisees in achieving long-term success.

For our franchisees, this ranking reaffirms Sola’s status as a recession-resilient investment with unparalleled occupancy rates, minimal overhead, and a highly scalable model. For beauty professionals, it reinforces that Sola is the top choice for those looking to take control of their careers in a supportive and inspiring environment.

FC: Sola Salons provides beauty professionals with turnkey, fully equipped salon suites to operate as independent business owners. What makes this model so appealing to stylists, and how does it contribute to franchisee success? 

ST: Sola Salons was founded on the belief that beauty professionals should have the freedom to live the life they love through entrepreneurship. Our model removes the barriers of traditional salon ownership by providing move-in-ready studios with everything a stylist needs to start and run their own business—without the high upfront costs or complexities of opening a traditional salon.

This is especially appealing in today’s beauty industry, where professionals want more control over their schedules, pricing, and services while offering clients a more private, personalized experience. For franchisees, this demand translates to consistent occupancy rates and a strong recurring revenue stream—all with a low operational footprint and the flexibility to manage their business from anywhere.

FC: With Sola now supporting over 20,000 independent beauty professionals, how do you maintain a strong community and culture across such a large network? 

ST: At Sola, community is at the core of everything we do. Even as we continue to grow, we prioritize education, mentorship, and connection to ensure every beauty professional feels supported. Our Sola Pro app provides ongoing business and marketing education, and our Sola Sessions bring independent stylists together for hands-on workshops and networking.

We also foster leadership within our community through the Faces of Sola ambassador program, where experienced professionals mentor and educate their peers. At the local level, our franchisees actively engage with their communities, supporting nonprofit initiatives and creating opportunities for stylists to give back. This strong culture of support is what makes Sola more than just a salon suite—it’s a place where beauty professionals can truly thrive.

FC: How has the evolving beauty and wellness industry impacted Sola’s business model, and what trends do you see shaping the future of salon franchising? 

ST: The demand for personalized beauty experiences has never been higher, and Sola is uniquely positioned to meet this shift. More professionals are choosing independence to offer their clients a more tailored, one-on-one experience, and the rise of wellness-based services—like skincare, holistic treatments, and non-traditional beauty offerings—has fueled diversification within our network.

Additionally, technology continues to play a critical role. Through digital tools like SolaGenius, our all-in-one scheduling and payment platform, we help beauty professionals streamline their businesses and enhance the client experience. Looking ahead, we anticipate even greater demand for private salon spaces, increased adoption of tech-driven solutions, and an expansion in wellness-focused services.

FC: Hair services continue to be the top offering at Sola Salons, but other categories—such as nails, skincare, and other beauty treatments—have been growing. Can you share any insights or metrics on the types of services most in demand across Sola Salons locations? 

ST: While hairstyling remains at the heart of Sola, we’ve seen a significant increase in demand for skincare, lash extensions, permanent makeup, and wellness treatments. In fact, we’re seeing a 60/40 split between hair and non-hair services, reflecting the industry’s shift toward a more holistic approach to beauty and self-care.

This diversification benefits both beauty professionals and franchisees, as it creates a broader client base and stronger occupancy rates. As consumer demand continues to evolve, we anticipate even greater growth in specialized beauty services and wellness-oriented offerings across our locations.

FC: What are Sola Salons’ biggest development goals for 2025, and how do you see the brand evolving over the next five years? 

ST: In 2025, our focus is on expanding into new markets and opening 25+ new locations across the country, while continuing to enhance the Sola experience for both franchisees and beauty professionals. We are investing in technology-driven solutions to help our independent professionals grow and scale their businesses, and we’re expanding educational opportunities through Sola Sessions.

Over the next five years, we envision Sola continuing to lead the salon suite industry with strategic franchise growth in high-demand markets, expanded offerings to support an even wider range of beauty and wellness services, advancements in technology to streamline business operations for independent professionals, and deepened community engagement, ensuring every stylist, esthetician, and beauty entrepreneur feels supported in their journey.

As the world’s first and largest salon suite brand, Sola remains committed to transforming the beauty industry by empowering entrepreneurs, driving innovation, and creating more opportunities for independent success.