Only those brands that can remain successful and sustainable in the long run become the most promising franchises. You Look Great (YLG) Salon established its brand legacy before it ventured into the franchise business.
YLG’s Co-founder, Vijayanti Bhalchandra, shares that the Founder & CEO, Rahul Bhalchandra saw opportunity in the fact that up until the late 2000s, there were very few
organized players in the salon industry and very little attention paid to hygiene and quality of service. During this time, YLG entered the market to fill a gap and elevate the salon experience for the average Indian woman by providing guarantees on hygiene and consistent service experience using high-quality products at reasonable prices.
Building Beauty with Business: YLG’s Proven Franchise Model for Long-Term Success
YLG’s emergence as a trusted franchisor in the last two decades has its origin in Rahul and Vijayanti’s visionary approach. The brand was predominantly present and grew with company-owned and operated stores for many years before taking on franchise partners, reveals Vijayanti.
This enabled an internal infrastructure that supports the pillars of any salon – business and technical training. “Because of this, we are able to support our partners where required to succeed as independent entrepreneurs.” The model is very friendly for the franchise partners due to lower outgoings in franchisee fees as compared to the competition.
Innovation as Identity: How YLG Leads with Tech-Driven Salon Solutions
In the continuously evolving franchise landscape, You Look Great (YLG) as a brand maintains its edge as it constantly strives to make each and every one of its customers look and feel great.
Keeping care for its franchisees’ customers is at the core of every service and product that YLG offers, as well as innovation and customization. Its uniquely formulated wax and waxing protocols have been the brand’s biggest strength from day one, from being the first to introduce cartridge roll-on wax into the Indian market, followed by the introduction of using technology in facials such as Red & Blue Light Therapy. It has also introduced Red & Blue Light Hair Spa, offering advanced scalp and hair treatments with visible results. “The spirit of innovation is still strong in the brand while simultaneously not diluting our core principles,” ensures Vijayanti.
Powering Pan-India Growth: YLG’s Investment-Friendly Formats and Entrepreneur Support
Sharing more about YLG’s franchising opportunities, eligibility criteria, and benefits that a probable franchisee may receive, Vijayanti says, “We are open to franchisee Pan India with an investment starting from ₹25 lakhs onwards, we are able to offer multiple formats that fit within the partner’s investment range, each offering a strategic positioning for long term value creation.”
Franchisees benefit from a proven business model with strong returns and an 18–36 months payback period, as well as in-house training, marketing support, salon tech systems, site selection assistance, and HR hiring support.
“With the support of a strong and trusted brand behind you, anyone has the potential to become a successful business owner,” she adds.
Leadership That Empowers: Inside the Culture of Ownership at YLG
Thus, Vijayanti’s inspiring leadership style is recognized as a driving force behind the achievements of the YLG brand. Shedding light on her approach, she says that at YLG Salon, they believe every team member plays a crucial role in the brand’s success and is a true mascot of their values. “We foster a culture of empowerment, where each individual is encouraged to take ownership and care deeply for our customers. Our leadership approach is rooted in collaboration, trust, and continuous growth.”
Balancing Expansion and Excellence: YLG’s Franchise Philosophy for Meaningful Growth
The essence of a franchise lies in innovation, expansion, and enhancing the franchisee experience. While striking a balance between operational efficiency and franchisee expectations, Vijayanti says that at YLG Salon, they believe in meaningful growth, not just expansion, for the sake of it. This approach allows them to maintain strong operational efficiency while meeting franchisee expectations. They prioritize consistent support to ensure a win-win for both the brand and their partners. “This helps us manage expectations.”
The Digital Edge: Elevating Franchise Operations Through Technology and Insight
Digitalization and technological advancements are crucial aspects of the modern franchise ecosystem. At YLG Salon, they embrace digitalization to enhance both customer experience and operational excellence. From online booking systems to real-time performance dashboards, technology is embedded in their daily functioning. “We continuously invest in tech-driven innovations to stay ahead and support a future-ready franchise ecosystem.”
Strength in Crisis: How YLG Emerged Stronger Post-COVID Through Safety and Purpose
As a leader in India’s promising franchise sector, the brand YLG Salon faced its share of challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the salon industry was among the hardest hit, and many questioned its future. Vijayanti and her team, YLG, faced this adversity head-on with unwavering focus and commitment. They strongly believed in the essential role salons play in self-care and confidence-building. By prioritizing safety, innovation, and their customers’ needs, they regained trust and stability. “It was our team’s resilience and belief in our purpose that brought us back on the growth path.” Due to the strong delivery of safety during COVID-19, they were able to increase the confidence in customers, and the brand has successfully increased the number of customers at YLG.
Vijayanti Bhalchandra’s Advise: Redefining Salon Hygiene, Quality, and Experience
As an established franchise leader, Vijayanti’s advice to budding entrepreneurs planning to own a franchise business is straightforward. Any budding owner planning to start a franchisee business should look for a few key things:
–An industry which interests them,
–a brand which resonates with them and
–the potential to grow.
You should enjoy what you do and have a passion for the business that you choose.
A Bold Vision for 2030: 500+ Outlets and a Nationwide Community of Empowered Entrepreneurs
Finally, Vijayanti divulges her vision: “To ensure quality and consistency, we aim to grow at a steady pace but hope to find partners in geographies we have not explored and gain the trust of a new demographic of customers in those regions.”
From Vision to Victory
By 2030, YLG Salon aspires to have 500+ outlets across India. “We hope to make a positive impact on every customer, employee and partner that interacts with brands across India and be the go-to salon brand for every budding entrepreneur,” she concludes.
