Add Merle Norman To Your Franchise Portfolio

Diversify Your Franchise Portfolio

A well-rounded franchise portfolio should have at least one legacy brand. It also should have a business that’s evergreen, meaning year-round traffic. And lastly, one piece of the puzzle should be a franchise that’s always evolving. When you buy a Merle Norman cosmetics franchise, you’re investing in all three.

“This is a brand that has proven its value for almost a century,” says Travis Richards, Vice President of Franchising. “From its beginnings in Mrs. Norman’s kitchen, to its time-tested “try before you buy” model that women love, has given entrepreneurs financial freedom and a lasting, lucrative asset. Merle Norman is an amazing asset in a franchise portfolio. There are literally dozens of ways to work with Merle Norman to build an exciting new business that integrates well with others.”

Multiple Pathways to Entry

There are many ways someone interested in the Merle Norman cosmetics franchise opportunity can become an owner. Some launch an entirely new brick and mortar franchise location, while others assume ownership of an existing franchise. A third group adds the vibrant Merle Norman line to their existing retail operations, such as a boutique, gift shop or salon/spa, creating even more traffic and revenue per square foot. With Merle Norman, we work with you and your dreams of growing a business.

“Merle Norman has thrived over the years thanks to a willingness to adapt and reinvent while never sacrificing quality,” Richards says. “Our franchise-owner support is second to none, and our products continue to define beauty in the marketplace. That combination is why we get this kind of attention from respected industry watchers.”

Merle Norman is Flexible

Another bonus for the franchise portfolio owner? The many ways to operate a Merle Norman franchise location. Consumers love the idea of “one-stop” shop. That’s why they are willing to try goods and services that are available at a business they already frequent. Savvy retailers recognize this, and that’s why many have opted to add a Merle Norman cosmetics franchise studio to their existing businesses.

“Many entrepreneurs know and love the Merle Norman brand because they use our cosmetics themselves,” says Travis Richards, Vice President of Franchising. “They know the value of Merle Norman, but they are not in a place to open a full-scale studio at the current time. By adding our products to their current business, they can have it all.”

Thanks to the ability to customize and tailor the Merle Norman product line, the business can be added to many types of retail footprints. Product selections are chosen to align with the specific store’s existing merchandise, creating a richer experience for the consumer, as well as more revenue per dollar for the owner.

Some types of businesses that have added Merle Norman to their store offerings include:

• gift shops
• boutiques
• salons
• pharmacies
• jewelry stores
• bridal/dress shops

And any other retail site geared towards women.

When a Merle Norman makeup franchise opens, it creates a distinct and dynamic visual appeal that draws the eye. That means customers linger longer, and in addition to buying makeup, they may also spend more elsewhere on site.

Brand Awareness

Thanks to almost a century in business, there’s no doubt that the Merle Norman name is easily recognized by consumers. In fact, a loyal following for an existing franchise is one reason they tend to get snapped up so quickly. When you invest in a proven franchise with decades of history and experience to rely on, growing your business is that much easier.

“This is not about buying a business that’s old and musty,” Richards explains. “When a tenured Merle Norman franchise comes up for sale, it offers the new owner a loyal customer base, outstanding name recognition, and a foundation for their growth in the community. Most of our new owners invest in upgrading the look of the store to our modern footprint and are busy from the moment they take over — the awareness and name recognition give them a head start, they focus on bringing in new customers.”

Always Supported

Even the most experienced franchise owner may be new to the cosmetics industry, which is why Merle Norman has created and perfected a sequence of initial onboarding and ongoing training that builds confidence. New Merle Norman franchise owners train online, are supported by personal visits by our Regional Consultants, and constantly updated with informative training videos for new products and trends.

• About the brand’s 200+ products and 600+ shades
• Professional makeup artistry skills and skincare knowledge
• Selling techniques
• Staff and business management tips
• How to use Point of Sale (P.O.S.) software
• Website, email, and hosting assistance

It doesn’t stop there. Merle Norman Cosmetics is committed to staying on top of the latest trends in makeup, fashion, and style, which means there’s almost always an opportunity to train our franchisees on new products and techniques. Merle Norman offers ongoing training, including step-by-step instructional makeup artistry and new product videos taught by celebrity makeup artists, webinars on topics such as selling techniques and product knowledge, and national training events featuring industry experts who provide sales coaching and artistry expertise.

“We really want potential franchisees to know that they won’t be alone in this business,” Richards continues. “We have an army of people at our corporate headquarters who are as invested in their success as they are, and we care very deeply for each of our studio owners and how well they perform. Our team works really hard behind the scenes, trying to make running a business easier for them, simpler for them, and ideally, something that’s fun for them. We hope our efforts allow them the time, the freedom and the ability to be on the sales floor sharing the products and conveying to their customers what would help them look and feel better. We know it’s why they became a Merle Norman Studio owner.”

Invest in a Merle Norman Franchise

For almost a century, Merle Norman has been creating beauty with high-quality, affordable skin care products and services. At the same time, it has allowed thousands of franchise owners to build popular businesses. Why not make now the time to open a Merle Norman franchise, or add our exciting line of products to your existing retail business?

For in-depth details about owning a Merle Norman franchise, visit our research pages here. If you’re ready to start your own business with Merle Norman, fill out our form here to start a conversation!