After extensive research and experience with Solartan’s® current corporate locations and current franchisees, we have developed some common factors which increase the chances of having a successful Solartan® tanning salon.
#1 The Right Franchisee
Solartan® offers medium to large clean upscale tanning salons with a strong emphasis on customer service. Solartan® uses an electronic billing pricing system with upgrade options as well as fine skin care products to complete a full service tanning salon. Required hours of operation are 9am to 9pm with extended hours in the busy season.
Solartan® becomes most profitable when the franchisee is involved in the day to day operations of the business. The right franchisee must be able to work with the public and have the ability to sell the services and products we offer, in addition to motivate employees to sell and promote. Whether actually working on the schedule or just checking in day to day a Solartan® stores needs attention constantly. There must be strong, consistent, responsive and clear leadership present every day.
The Solartan® operator has to be the ultimate expert on the store operations and procedures and communicate it constantly to employees and customers. Employee turnover is inevitable, and new employee training, as well as ongoing training from the owner operator is a must. Successful Solartan® operators will beat the streets with marketing material to get the word out, not only when you first open but as a consistent marketing plan. Commitment and dedication is what it takes to be successful with our concept or any other! A relentless desire to be the best you can be, and portray that to your employees will maximize your profits and weaken the competition. Owning a Solartan, just like any business, takes hard work with passion for the business and an unparalleled desire for excellence every single day.
#2 The Right Location
The correct location is imperative to the success of a new Solartan®. Solartan® will run detailed demographic reports, as well as create a competition analysis on at least three possible locations prior to opening a new store. The target audience is female 18-40 years old, white and of middle to upper class. However, the male tanning population and the over 40 market continues to grow, especially with the introduction into the sunless tanning market. Solartan® thrives in high residential or high office complexes areas. Studies show people tend to tan near where the live or work. Daily traffic count is important, as well as public access to your store. Entering a market place where weaker competition exists but the correct demographics are present has proven to be some of the most profitable operations to date. Tenant mix is also a major factor in creating traffic for new stores. A strip mall with a large anchor such as a Grocery store or Gym is essential. Other businesses such as hair salons, bridal shops, nail techs and other complementary businesses can bring the target customer to your store.
#3 Marketing
Given that most tanning salons do not have large advertising budges, marketing dollars are somewhat limited. However, marketing and its consistency is a vital key in the success of a tanning salon. Tanning can be related to the fitness industry as people constantly need to be reminded to tan. We have found that word of mouth is the best marketing a tanning salon can practice. Therefore, the condition of your store, along with sound management and operations will be heard in the community and serves as the best marketing tool. Marketing is the key to increasing tanning sessions, new customers and in turn sales and profits. Over the years we have developed a detailed and disciplined marketing program to constantly keep our tanning message in front of our existing customers and at the same time prospecting for new customers.
OUR STORES
Owning your own business is the American dream. The ability to create financial freedom and make your own schedule is priceless. Solartan® has the experience, support and energy to make you a successful partner. Solartan® over the years through experience and a relentless will to refine the operations of the company has developed a business model for success in tanning salons that has yet to fail. Our innovative and futuristic stores combined with a powerful marketing plan as well as a strong line of tanning products and equipment makes Solartan® a winner. Solartan® has adopted the phrase “we are only as strong as our weakest link”. Therefore, we will strive at making all of our locations the best they can be.
Solartan® specifics:
All current locations have experienced steady growth.
All locations turn a generous profit.
Lower costs from experience and buying power increase the bottom line.
Solartan® has a beautiful, efficient and cost effective store build out.