Merle Norman Cosmetics

Cosmetic studios

Franchise Growth Cost & Fees Training & Support Rankings

Year began: 1931 Franchising since: 1989

Even before she opened her first studio in Santa Monica in 1931, Merle Norman's philosophy of "Try Before You Buy" was being carried out as she offered free samples of her products to neighbors, hoping they’d discover the benefits and return as paying customers.

And return they did. Many even opened their own studios and the company now has studios throughout the United States and Canada. Carrying on the Merle Norman tradition, franchisees now offer skin care, from cleansers and toners to sun defense, and a full line of cosmetics.

9130 Bellanca Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Phone: (800)421-6648/(310)641-3000
Fax: (310)337-2370

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 464 employee(s); 10 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year

2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

U.S. Franchises

1,697
1,752
1,766
1,822
1,816

Canadian Franchises

88
88
87
91
91

Foreign Franchises

0
0
0
0
0

Company
Owned

6
5
3
5
6

Costs & Fees

Total investment: $33.1K-168.7K
Franchise fee: $0
Ongoing royalty fee: 0
Term of agreement: Open-ended

Type of Financing Available
	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	No	No
Inventory	Yes	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Training & Support

TRAINING

Available at headquarters: 10 days
Field training classes, field visits, advanced home office training and point-of-sale software training

ONGOING SUPPORT

Newsletter
Meetings
Toll-free phone line
Grand opening
Internet
Security/safety procedures
Field operations/evaluations

MARKETING SUPPORT

Co-op advertising
Ad slicks
National media
Regional advertising

Rankings in Entrepreneur magazine 2004-2008

Franchise 500® rank:
#37 (2008); #21 (2007); #32 (2006); #23 (2005); #23 (2004);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2008; 2007; 2006; 2005; 2004;

Low-Cost Franchises:
#10 (2008); #6 (2007); #12 (2006); #10 (2005); #10 (2004);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#56 (2008); #33 (2007); #34 (2006); #30 (2005); #27 (2004);