Top 10 Salon Chains in India 2026

Top 10 Salon Chains in India 2026 include one brand whose founder’s name has become genuinely synonymous with a haircut in India — Jawed Habib operates 484 franchise units across metros and Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities alike, built on nothing more than expert training and celebrity-backed brand recall. India’s beauty and salon industry has grown into a genuinely structured franchise ecosystem, with entry investments ranging from as little as ₹8 lakh for compact at-home service models up to ₹1.5 crore for premium full-service outlets. This list covers the top 10 salon chains in India in 2026.

1. Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty

Jawed Habib stands as one of the most recognisable names in Indian household beauty culture, built around expert hairstylist training and a genuinely nationwide franchise footprint.

• Founded in 2006, franchising since 2014, with 484 franchise units currently operational
• Primarily operates in the budget to mid-range segment, focusing heavily on hair services
• One of the most widespread salon chains in India, with particularly strong presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
• Minimum franchise investment starts from ₹20-40 lakh, backed by dedicated training, marketing, and operational support

2. Lakmé Salon

Lakmé Salon brings Unilever’s cosmetics heritage into professional salon services, backed by extensive stylist training through the dedicated Lakmé Academy.

• Founded in 1952, making it one of the oldest established salon brands in India
• Benefits from Unilever’s broader ecosystem, centralised marketing, digital campaigns, and integrated product supply
• Franchise investment runs ₹50-60 lakh, with franchisees typically breaking even within a year given the brand’s strong popularity
• Positioned firmly within the premium beauty segment, particularly strong across metro city locations

3. Naturals Salon & Spa

Naturals has built a strong reputation as a full-service, family-oriented salon brand, particularly recommended for beginners entering the salon franchise business.

• Founded in 2000, offering comprehensive hair, beauty, and spa services under one brand
• Franchise investment runs ₹50-55 lakh, with an anticipated ROI around 90 percent
• Offers extensive franchisee assistance including staff training and pre-made marketing materials
• Regularly cited alongside Jawed Habib as among the best salon franchises specifically for first-time business owners

4. Green Trends

Green Trends has established a strong presence specifically across India’s mid-size cities, offering a balanced hair and beauty service model.

• Founded in 2002, with franchise investment ranging ₹30-50 lakh
• Particularly well-suited to mid-size city markets rather than exclusively metro locations
• Offers strong franchise support alongside its established brand recognition
• Represents a genuinely competitive mid-tier option between budget and premium salon segments

5. VLCC

VLCC has built its brand around comprehensive beauty and wellness services, extending beyond pure salon offerings into broader personal care.

• Founded in 1989, with franchise investment typically ranging ₹30-50 lakh
• Regularly recommended alongside Jawed Habib as one of the best overall salon franchise options in India
• Offers a broader wellness-focused service range compared to purely hair-focused competitors
• Maintains strong brand recognition built over more than three decades of continuous operation

6. Looks Salon

Looks Salon occupies the premium end of India’s salon franchise spectrum, carrying nearly three decades of established brand history.

• Founded in 1989, with franchise investment running considerably higher at ₹1.2-1.5 crore
• Positioned specifically for metro and Tier 1 city markets given its premium full-service salon format
• Offers strong franchise support backed by decades of brand reputation
• Represents one of the higher-investment, higher-return options within India’s salon franchise landscape

7. Truefitt & Hill

Truefitt & Hill carries genuinely extraordinary heritage, founded in London in 1805 and recognised as the world’s oldest barbershop brand now operating in India.

• Investment requirement runs ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, reflecting its premium international positioning
• Specifically focused on premium grooming and barbering services for a distinctly upscale male clientele
• Represents the oldest continuously operating brand among all salon chains covered in this list
• Appeals specifically to customers seeking a genuinely heritage, old-world grooming experience

8. Shahnaz Husain

Shahnaz Husain has built its brand around natural and herbal beauty treatments, carrying over five decades of established Indian beauty industry heritage.

• Founded in 1970, with franchise investment ranging ₹20-30 lakh
• Known specifically for pioneering herbal and natural beauty treatment approaches within Indian salons
• Offers a genuinely differentiated positioning compared to more conventional Western-style beauty chains
• Continues to be regularly featured among India’s top salon franchise brands by industry sources

9. STUDIO11 Salon & Spa

STUDIO11 has emerged as a growing salon and spa brand particularly well-suited to India’s expanding Tier 2 and emerging city markets.

• Founded in 2012, with franchise investment ranging ₹25-50 lakh depending on the specific format chosen
• Offers both standard and express salon and spa formats, providing flexibility for different investment levels
• Particularly well-positioned for emerging city markets beyond India’s established metro salon landscape
• Represents one of the newer generation of salon brands building genuine national presence

10. BBLunt

BBLunt rounds out this list as a modern, design-forward salon brand that has built strong profitability credentials within India’s competitive franchise landscape.

• Regularly cited alongside BeU Salons as among the most profitable salon business franchises currently available
• Positioned toward a more contemporary, design-conscious customer base compared to some of the more traditional chains on this list
• Continues expanding its footprint across India’s urban salon franchise market
• Represents the newer wave of India’s salon brands built around distinctive styling and modern brand positioning

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which salon franchise is best for a first-time business owner in India?

Jawed Habib and Naturals are consistently recommended for beginners, since both offer extensive franchisee support including staff training and ready-made marketing materials.

Q2. What’s the typical investment range needed to open a salon franchise in India?

Most established salon franchises require ₹30-50 lakh, though budget options like Neeldavid’s International Salon start from as low as ₹10 lakh, while premium brands like Looks Salon can require up to ₹1.5 crore.

Q3. Is the salon and beauty franchise business genuinely profitable in India?

Yes, the salon and spa industry remains one of the most profitable business ventures in India, with the broader beauty and cosmetics market growing at a strong compound annual rate.

Q4. What’s the difference between Jawed Habib and premium brands like Looks Salon or Lakmé Salon?

Jawed Habib operates primarily in the budget to mid-range segment with strong Tier 2 and Tier 3 city presence, while Looks Salon and Lakmé Salon position themselves at the premium end, focusing more heavily on metro and Tier 1 city markets.