About Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc.
Merle Norman Cosmetics and More is located in The Shops at Highland Village. 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 return later as paying customers.
And return they did. Many even opened their own studios, and the company now has locations 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.
Today Merle Norman Cosmetics remains family owned and operated with Jack and Helen Nethercutt at the helm. They are dedicated to Merle Norman’s original mission: To give every woman a more beautiful life. When you shop at a franchised studio or online you can feel good about supporting the dreams of a small business owner.
Why Now is a Great Time to Own a Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio?
Empowering Women Through Business Ownership
Merle Norman believed in empowering women through business ownership to achieve their dreams and realize their full potential. When you become a Studio owner, you carry on Merle Norman’s original vision.
Help women look and feel better about themselves every single day. Our Owners pride themselves on the art of the one-on-one consultation. Providing superior service, building a strong relationship, and connecting with the customer is what our brand is known for.
Be Your Own Boss
Flexibility. Fun. Financial freedom. Being your own boss has its advantages! Maybe you’re struggling to find the perfect work-life balance between raising a family while maintaining a rewarding career.
Many women have found that owning a Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio enables them to govern their own life, allowing them the opportunity to work hard and still make themselves available for their family’s needs. Whatever your personal or financial goal, we’d like to help you reach it.
A Rewarding Business
The financial rewards can be beautiful too! Even when times are tough, the cosmetic industry remains stable. Research shows that women spend over $426 billion dollars a year on beauty products and enjoy the mood-boosting benefits of buying something as simple as a new tube of lipstick, one of life’s affordable pleasures.
3 Ways to Franchise with Merle Norman
The nation’s iconic cosmetics studio has three different ways to franchise and a flexible selection of floor plans.
1. Open a new Merle Norman Cosmetics franchise: Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio franchises are located in a variety of retail areas including malls, strip centers, and stand-alone buildings. This unique system allows us to cover a wide range of markets — everything from small towns to large metropolitan cities. The concept is simple. We’ve sidestepped the pressures and distractions of the department stores to present customers with a more private and personalized option.
2. Purchase an existing franchise: Purchasing an existing franchise for sale is a great way to enter into the Merle Norman family. You’ll enjoy the benefit of an existing client base and an already established location.
3. Add Merle Norman Cosmetics to your existing retail business: We’ll help you enhance your retail experience by tailoring product selection that aligns with your store, enabling you to make more money per square foot. This customizable option is ideal for businesses like gift shops, boutiques, salons, pharmacies, jewelry stores, bridal/dress shops, or any other retail venue that’s geared towards women and looking to easily increase revenue.
Company Founded
1931
Current Leadership
Jack Nethercutt, CEO
Started Franchising
1973 (48 years)
Total Number of Units
1,050 (as of 2020)
Part-Time / Full-Time
Full Time
How Much Does It Cost To Open A Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. Franchise?
There are several costs associated with opening a Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. franchise. There is typically a franchise fee set by the franchisor, which covers the costs of opening a franchise location. Some other commons fees include equipment fees, marketing fees, licensing fees, insurance, and taxes, to name a few.
Some franchises may have a weekly fee that the franchisee pays for operating a Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. franchise. The weekly fee for opening a Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. franchise is not specified.
The full breakdown of these fees can be found in the Financial Disclosure Document (FDD) provided to franchisees by the franchisor. The FDD report will contain additional information such as whether the franchise is renewable (Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. Is Renewable) and does the franchise offer financing support (Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment).
Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. Company Details
Here are some additional details about Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc..
Parent Company | Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. |
Net Worth Requirement | $100,000 - $250,000 |
Veteran Incentives | $3,500 inventory credit |
Cash Requirement | $25,000 - $100,000 |
Term of Agreement | 10 years |
Absentee Ownership | No |
Run from Home | No |
Part Time | No |
Training and Support Offered By Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc.
Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. offers several support options to its franchisees. With 1,050 (as of 2020) units, Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. aims to provide support to each franchise owner to help them operate a successful franchise location. Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. offers No on the job training, 40 hours classroom training, and Online training additional training.
Training and Support Offered
Here are the support options offered by Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc..
On-The-Job Training | No |
Classroom Training | 40 hours |
Additional Training | Online training |
Ongoing Support |
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Marketing Support |
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Estimated Revenue | $10M to $50M |

Is Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. Right For You?
Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. has gone digital! Here are all of the ways you can find Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. online. Oftentimes, you can reach out to current franchisees of Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. online. Current franchisees may be able to offer personalized insights into what it is like owning a Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. franchise and offer tips to running a successful Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. franchise location.
Why Should You Start a Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. Franchise?
Investing in a Health & Beauty franchise such as Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. can kickstart your franchise portfolio. Our goal at Why Franchise is to provide you with the resources needed to be a successful franchise owner. Fill out the form below to get more information about Merle Norman Cosmetics Inc. franchise and we'll be in touch soon!