How to Start a Salons By JC Franchise in 7 Steps: Checklist

The 2026 FDD does not state a contractual minimum net worth, liquid-capital threshold, credit score, education requirement, or beauty-industry experience requirement. The official franchise website instead publishes screening guidance: at least $2 million net worth, at least $500,000 in liquid assets, franchise ownership experience as a plus, and no beauty-industry experience requirement.

There is a qualification inconsistency to resolve: the brand’s official FAQ says a single-license candidate should have at least $750,000 in liquid assets. Treat both figures as current marketing-stage screening guidance, not as an FDD contractual minimum, and ask the franchise development team which liquidity threshold applies to your proposed format and ownership group.

The franchisee is responsible for selecting the Business Location and must obtain written approval before leasing, purchasing, or otherwise acquiring it. The FDD says site review considers demographics, traffic patterns, parking, visibility, sign locations, building characteristics, proximity to other locations, and whether the landlord accepts the required Lease Agreement Rider. The Franchise Agreement also states that site approval is not a warranty of the site’s performance.

After the lease or purchase is completed, the franchisor provides generalized prototype plans and specifications. The franchisee must hire approved or designated design professionals, submit site-specific plans for approval, obtain applicable permits and licenses, construct to approved plans, and use required or approved suppliers. Item 8 currently identifies Construction Development Services for construction management and Kaemark for certain furniture and fixtures; the official franchisee support page describes real-estate and construction coordination but does not replace the contract’s allocation of responsibility.

The Franchise Agreement says the business may not open until the franchisee is in compliance, has satisfied the pre-opening obligations in the Operations Manual, has completed required training, and has obtained the franchisor’s written consent to open. Item 11 separately identifies required licensing or regulatory authorization, written proof of required insurance, and a timely secured approved Business Location.

For the 1-2 path, the addendum expires at the earlier of termination or expiration of the first Franchise Agreement or the fifth anniversary of the addendum. It does not obligate the franchisee to open the second Business and does not reserve a development area. For multi-unit development, later Franchise Agreements must be signed by the earliest of the approved lease date, approved real-estate purchase agreement date, or 12 months before that unit’s scheduled opening date.

The FDD also allows a one-time initial-fee discount for a franchisor-approved conversion of an existing similar business, subject to documentation. It does not disclose a separate conversion opening sequence, so a conversion candidate should verify in writing which site, design, construction, supplier, training, and opening-consent requirements remain unchanged.

Failure to timely secure an approved location or timely develop and open is a curable default under the single-unit Franchise Agreement; Item 17 summarizes a 30-day cure period for those defaults after notice. The FDD also states that if the approved location and lease are not secured on time, the franchisor may terminate after the cure period without refunding fees. A proposed site rejection does not itself extend the contract deadline.

The Franchise Agreement’s force-majeure clause extends an affected performance period by the period of qualifying delay, but no longer than six months, and does not excuse monetary obligations. The FDD does not disclose a general franchisee right to obtain a discretionary opening-deadline extension outside that clause. Multi-unit development is stricter: failure to meet a Development Schedule period can permit termination of the Multi-Unit Development Agreement without a cure right, causing loss of development rights.

The FTC explains the role of the disclosure document and the federal timing rule on its Franchise Rule page. The brand’s official investment page and franchise website can help frame questions, but current FDD and signed-agreement terms should control any contractual conclusion.