Merle Norman is the Perfect Franchise for Millennials

Why Millennials are Franchising

The Millennial generation stands out for many things, not the least of which is a desire to create their own pathway in the business world vs. working for someone else. They value mentorship and learning from those with more experience, then putting their own spin on things.   They love a business model that’s about helping customers look and feel their best and one that can make money 24/7. That’s why so many of these entrepreneurs are drawn to Merle Norman, and why this legacy beauty business is proving to be a perfect franchise for Millennials.

“We have a wave of younger owners coming on board now, and their excitement is contagious,” says Travis Richards, Vice President of Franchising. “They are eager to be their own bosses, and they also know that they have a lot to learn. They want a model that allows them both security, independence and the ability to make money online, and Merle Norman provides that.”

Merle Norman is a Franchise for Millennials

Millennials love that Merle Norman beauty franchise ownership can happen a few different ways. A new store can be launched, or an existing franchise can be purchased. Or, if someone already has a thriving business, such as a boutique or gift shop, they can add a curated line of Merle Norman products into a dedicated space within that footprint.

“One thing this generation doesn’t want is a cookie-cutter operation,” Richards says. “They love the idea of flexibility right from the start, and Mrs. Norman’s startup story really resonates with them. They don’t want to be just like a store around the corner. With a customizable footprint and our large and continually growing line of products and services, they know there’s no danger of that.”

Constant Demand

Another reason why Merle Norman is a great franchise for Millennials? The demand for cosmetics is evergreen. Even in slow economic times, cosmetics sales don’t dip much. Consider that in 2022, as the global economy was coming out of a severe downturn, eye cosmetics alone sold $2.1 billion in the United States, according to Statista.

That’s why there’s such competition in the beauty industry. It’s also why new entrants need a brand that consumers know. Women of all ages know Merle Norman and are engaged by its legendary “try before you buy” business model — no risk product samples! It’s a fun way to build client loyalty from that very first visit, and also be a business that’s eager to gain trust vs. one just selling a commodity.

Ongoing Support

New and current Merle Norman beauty franchise owners alike also benefit from a full platform of support. That includes an administrative system that bundles together everything from employee scheduling, inventory status and sales worksheets, to customer-facing services such as appointment scheduling, promotions, birthdays, and more. All that, and no franchise or royalty fee!

“Merle Norman’s franchising “backbone” is the perfect balance of a tested system that supports our franchise owners, while also giving them the freedom to run their businesses without us looking over their shoulder,” Richards says. “We are a partner in every way, and that’s something Millennial entrepreneurs are very much looking for as they explore small-business ownership.”

Brand Recognition

New and current Merle Norman beauty franchise owners alike also enjoy unparalleled name recognition in the beauty industry. For Millennials, that means not only a huge national ad presence, but also a robust and ever-evolving social media platform that allows them to customize their local outreach. It all combines to reach customers where they are, drive business, and boost revenue.

“Our advertising program is very generous, paying 60% of approved advertising, media and postage promotions that Merle Norman beauty franchise owners can engage in,” Richards explains.  Mrs. Norman knew that word of mouth and good advertising was key to keeping a brand front and center in consumer’s minds, and that’s as true today as it was in the 1920s. We bundle all that up for use in absolutely beautiful imagery designed for social media. And like she did then, our goal is to make those programs accessible, affordable and invaluable to our franchise owners.”

Franchise with Merle Norman today!

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 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 more in-depth details about owning a Merle Norman franchise, visit our research pages here. If you’re ready to take the leap into business ownership and invest in a Merle Norman franchise, fill out our form here, and one of our dedicated franchise team members will be in touch with more information!