From Spiral Hams to Kids’ Cuts: Wade Brannon’s Unconventional Franchise Journey
On this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Wade Brannon, CEO of Pigtails & Crewcuts, reflects on his remarkable path from building Heavenly Ham to leading one of the most recognizable children’s salon franchises in the U.S.
After selling his first franchise venture in 2002, Wade wasn’t planning to dive back in so quickly. But a visit to a new children’s haircut concept with his son changed everything. Inspired by a space that turned haircut anxiety into joy, Wade saw the potential for something bigger. He acquired the brand—then just a single location—and spent the next year building systems to make it franchise-ready.
Today, Pigtails & Crewcuts boasts around 85 locations across 25 states, with strong unit economics, a loyal customer base, and an experienced support team guiding new owners. Wade credits the brand’s staying power to a laser focus on operational excellence and franchisee success—especially during economic downturns.
In the conversation, Wade shares lessons from the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, including a major operational pivot to appointment-based service that boosted both customer experience and staffing efficiency. He also touches on the qualities that make a great franchisee—strong people skills, business acumen, and alignment with the brand’s family-first values.
Whether you’re an emerging franchisor or a potential franchisee, this episode is packed with wisdom from someone who’s built not just one, but two enduring franchise brands. As Wade puts it, “This is a people business. If you can’t lead with empathy and build a great team, nothing else matters.”
July 5, 2025
