Sport Clips Franchisees Thrive with Winning Playbook 

Sport Clips Haircuts multi-unit franchisee Amanda Donovan always knew she could count on her leading national brand. Still, she never imagined the need for the type of franchisor support that played out during the COVID-19 shutdown and beyond.  

Donovan, the owner of five stores in West Virginia and South Carolina, credits comprehensive communication and a solid game plan by Sport Clips leadership for the ability to navigate through pandemic restrictions and remain Sport Clips strong.

“When the shutdowns were looming and eventually happened, I was so reassured when Sport Clips was already in full swing to help Team Leaders from every angle, whether it be PPP, PPE, continuous webinars, reopening plans and support,” explains Donovan. “Many of us were able to reopen when states allowed because of the support SCI provided us, while many of our competitors couldn’t because they didn’t have access to the PPE supplies or a reopening plan.”

With a network of more than 450 franchisees and more than 1,800 locations, Sport Clips continues to shine as a top, recession-resistant brand leading the way in the men’s grooming industry. 

A focus on technology and enhanced protocols,  including a  “Sport Clips Clean Certified” program along with online check-in via the web, mobile app or smart speaker device, have enabled Donovan to remain growth-focused. Formerly a wine sales representative, Donovan was at a career crossroads when she stumbled onto the Sport Clips MVP Experience with her husband, Ryan, who was in need of a haircut during a family visit. The couple had recently relocated from Kentucky to West Virginia, where there was no Sport Clips presence at the time.

Eager to learn more, Donovan was drawn to Sport Clips as a best value investment with a stellar franchise continuity rate nearing 96 percent. She opened her first West Virginia Sport Clips in 2013—and never looked back. The manager-led business model has provided the entrepreneur with a game-changing work-life balance.

“My husband is a pilot who travels out of town, and with a two-year-old, the flexibility and freedom to navigate work and focus on my family is priceless to me,” notes Donovan. 

While Donovan initially selected Sport Clips because it checked all the boxes as a top franchise, she says the benefits of ownership have meant much more.  

“To watch countless team members drastically change their families’ financial situation because of Sport Clips and what it offers, has been one of my greatest joys,” Donovan says. “I’ve also been humbled to know that my teams really trust me and know they can count on me, and countless times I’ve been able to count on them. They are my family.”

With her sights set on expanding with her franchise family, Donovan has two additional store openings in the works and plans for more locations in Charleston, South Carolina and throughout West Virginia.  Sport Clips’ proven system enables franchisees to get off to a fast start, says Donovan.  

“When you first sign on, you are connected with an Area Developer or Business Director typically, they are very hands-on with the start of your store and each store after, as you need it,” explains Donovan. “SCI, from a corporate level, is involved with marketing and many aspects of the grand opening. I have always felt their involvement has contributed greatly to the success of each one of my grand openings.” 

One of the fastest-growing franchise systems in the U.S., Sport Clips is dedicated to smart and sustainable unit growth in the estimated $75 billion hair care industry. 

Donovan calls Sport Clips “a great brand, with a great business.”

“Follow the system and treat your teams well, and it's very rewarding,” she states.

To discover your opportunities to join a winning team, visit sportclipsfranchise.com.

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