Charleston-based Cirque Salon Studios Empowers Real Estate Investors and Salon Professionals with New Franchise Opportunity

Cirque Salon Studios, a Charleston-based franchised real estate business that leases individual suites to health, beauty, and wellness professionals, announced a new franchise initiative today.

An innovative salon studio concept, Cirque Salon Studios equips franchise owners with the business model, tools, and professional support needed to operate an efficient, technology-driven, real estate-based business, as they lease space to 25 to 30 independent studio owners. The franchise operation is designed to be far less complex and time-consuming than other opportunities, and allows franchise owners to better manage their investments, as well as their personal and professional schedules.

Founder and Head of Operations David Manzi, with 15 years of experience as a former multi-unit franchise owner and operator of Once Upon A Child and Plato’s Closet locations across the Charleston, SC region, has an ear to the ground for developments in real estate and franchising. Manzi launched Cirque Salon Studios in 2008 after recognizing an opportunity to tailor a sector of the real estate industry to the unique needs of aesthetic professionals.

“We’re excited to introduce Cirque Salon Studios as a franchise model that both empowers franchisees looking for sound opportunities, and salon professionals looking to independently grow their businesses,” said Manzi. “Beyond providing optimized physical space, our concept local industry professionals become successful business operators -- and our franchise program helps qualified entrepreneurs build compelling businesses of their own.”

Manzi and co-founder Beau Schweikert, head of real estate and finance for the franchise, have been working closely with franchise industry experts to develop the franchise program, which targets expansion in the Carolinas and then north into the Washington, D.C. area and the Mid-Atlantic. Additionally, Cirque expects to soon target Georgia and Florida for further expansion.

Schweikert, a former senior financial executive at Route 66 Ventures, the Comstock Companies and Bank of America, brings years of real estate management and finance insight to the franchise brand.

“Our team supports franchisees with everything from site selection and construction management to tenant relations,” Schweikert said. “Our collective experience plays a huge role in helping our franchisees build out Cirque Salon locations and create lasting opportunities for salon owners.”

Through strategic franchise expansion, Cirque Salon Studios is aiming to open multiple franchised locations in the next three to five years, as well as additional company or partner-owned sites. Additional expansion opportunities are available for qualified franchisee candidates throughout the Carolinas. For more information, visit cirquesalonfranchise.com