How to Start a Blo Blow Dry Bar Franchise in 7 Steps: Checklist

Blo’s published discovery sequence begins with an inquiry, an initial call, delivery of the FDD, an educational webinar and—if the candidate is approved to advance—a virtual Discovery Day. The official candidate process overview describes these as evaluation and education stages; it does not make completion an automatic award.

The current franchise inquiry form asks for the proposed market, liquid-capital range and net-worth range. The 2026 FDD does not disclose a binding net-worth, liquidity, credit-score, education or salon-experience minimum. Blo’s ideal-partner page says hair experience is not required and emphasizes leadership, community engagement and active involvement as preferred traits.

Under the FTC Franchise Rule, the prospect must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before signing a binding franchise contract or paying the franchisor or an affiliate. The FTC’s franchise buyer guide explains that the FDD becomes available after the franchisor receives the application and agrees to consider it. A materially revised agreement supplied unilaterally can trigger a separate seven-calendar-day review period under FTC guidance.

For one unit, the applicant signs the Franchise Agreement and pays the non-refundable initial franchise fee. A multi-unit buyer signs a Multi-Unit Development Agreement, pays the non-refundable developer fee and is expected to sign the first unit’s Franchise Agreement at the same time. Each later bar requires its own fully executed Franchise Agreement before opening. The development area, unit count and dated Development Schedule must be completed before the multi-unit agreement is signed.

These are separate approvals. A proposed site is not an Approved Location until Blo gives written approval. The Protected Territory is identified after the location is approved; the FDD states a minimum of three blocks around an urban location or a one-mile radius for a suburban location, subject to reserved channels and Special Venues. Blo’s current bar-design page describes an ideal 800–1,000 square feet, while the 2026 FDD describes approximately 500–1,000 square feet. The FDD controls the contractual process.

The owner and manager must complete initial training to Blo’s satisfaction. The FDD estimates 10–12 weeks overall: approximately two to three days of head-office or remote orientation, weekly remote brand and operations training, five to six days of onsite operations training and six days of Blo U for stylists. The training table also discloses 39.5–44.5 instructional hours plus 40–50 hours of onsite job training.

Blo’s current opening schedule says staff recruitment begins eight weeks before opening, paid marketing starts four weeks before opening and Blo U begins six days before opening. Treat those as operational planning guidance; the Franchise Agreement’s satisfaction standard and 12-month deadline remain controlling. The staffing page confirms all stylists complete Blo U.

The development agreement requires signed leases for the cumulative quota at the end of each Development Period and requires each bar to be open under its Franchise Agreement timetable. It does not itself operate a bar or grant the right to use the Marks without a unit Franchise Agreement. Later-unit site approval, lawful possession and agreement execution must be sequenced exactly as the final documents require.

Blo’s ownership-support page describes real-estate, build-management and pre-opening guidance. The Franchise Agreement still places site selection, legal compliance, construction, staffing, insurance and operating readiness on the franchisee.

First, reconcile ownership and management language. Item 15 says the owner or entity principals must remain directly involved in daily operations even when a manager is hired. Franchise Agreement Section 13.4 permits an approved General Manager and otherwise uses an Operating Principal structure, including a 10% ownership requirement for a corporate Operating Principal. Ask Blo to state the expected owner time commitment and approved management structure in writing.

Second, confirm the multi-unit document version and sequence. The attached Multi-Unit Development Agreement contains a 2025 label on one cover page and 2026 labels elsewhere. Item 5 describes later-unit Franchise Agreements as signed when the lease or purchase agreement is signed, while Multi-Unit Development Agreement Section 2.3 describes delivery after lawful possession and a 15-day execution period. The final executed packet should remove ambiguity.

Third, ask about actual opening delays. The FDD’s special-risk page states that 18 Franchise Agreements had not opened, while Item 20 Table 5 lists 21 agreements signed but outlets not opened and 18 projected openings in the next fiscal year. Item 20 and Exhibit G provide current and recent former franchisee contacts; ask them about site rejection, landlord delays, permit timing, construction management, training scheduling and whether Blo required a written pre-opening inspection or authorization.