New Local Franchise A Cut Above For Guys

As a busy businessman, Tim Wilson says he could rarely get his hair cut by the same person because of the somewhat limited hours of most barbershops.

As the co-franchisee of the first Sport Clips shop in eastern Pennsylvania – right here in Bensalem – he doesn't have that problem anymore, and neither do other guys.

“I was just looking at different business opportunities and saw this one and thought it was great,” said Wilson, who has worked in banking and insurance. “There was a gap in the market.”

The extended hours of the sports-themed facility at 400 Rockhill Drive, between L.A Fitness and Longhorn Steakhouse, are “pretty critical,” says Wilson. The shop is open seven days a week – from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; 9-6 Saturdays; and 11 to 5 Sundays.

But the hours aren't the only unique aspect of Sports Clips, which was founded in 1993 and is one of the nation’s leading franchises, according to its website. Sport Clips caters to men and boys in a sports-themed environment, and that was very appealing to Wilson, who runs the local shop with his wife, Cara.

“I don't like to sit in a place with Oprah on the TV and smell chemicals. I'm not getting hair color so why do I have to smell it?” he said.

The local shop, which opened May 5, has five TVs, with one large-screen in the reception area and all always tuned in to a sporting event. It is filled with sports-themed items, including Philly team logos, and its salon walls boast murals of a baseball stadium.

And there's the MVP Service, which in addition to a haircut comprises a hot steam towel for the face, a massaging shampoo and a neck and shoulder massage – costing only an extra $5.

The grand opening price is $11 for a haircut, which will soon go up to $16. Boys and seniors will only pay $12.

The chain is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, and there are now more than 750 shops across the country. It has ranked in the top 50 “fastest growing” for seven straight years in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 and in the top 10 in Forbes’ Top 20 Franchises To Start.

The local shop is 1,500 square feet with eight cutting stations. It employs six people, with more to be hired.

Bensalem, Wilson said, is a “great fit” for the franchise.

“The location is near good businesses, schools and neighborhoods,” he said. “ In addition, the access to the Turnpike and Route 1 just seemed to round out the decision process.”