Sola Salons has finalized franchise expansion agreements for Port Orange and Lakeland, Florida, as well as Greenville, South Carolina, marking another step in the brand’s rapid Southeast growth. The projects will be developed by veteran multi-unit franchisee Haynes Chidsey, whose track record and early connection to the company have made him one of its most prominent operators.
The salon suite concept currently supports more than 22,000 independent beauty professionals across over 750 locations nationwide. With demand for independent beauty services on the rise, the new agreements align with Sola’s strategic focus on key regional markets.
John Pantera, vice president of franchise development, highlighted Chidsey’s contributions to the brand’s expansion. “We are excited to celebrate Haynes’s growth with the Sola Salons family,” Pantera said. “Haynes shares our passion for supporting beauty professionals and is the perfect partner to help us expand our presence in the Southeast.”
Chidsey’s involvement with Sola began before the brand officially launched, stemming from his professional relationship with its founders. Trust in the leadership team and confidence in their vision led him to become one of the franchise’s first operators, even before its market debut.
With a professional background in finance and operations, Chidsey found the Sola Salons model well-suited to his expertise. Compared to more complex franchise systems in food or hospitality, the streamlined salon suite approach allowed his team to prioritize customer service without the burdens of heavy operational logistics.
Today, Chidsey manages more than 50 Sola Salons units across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, with plans for continued growth in all four states. He emphasizes that team development remains central to his success. “We invest a lot of time, effort, and money in recruiting, retaining, and training our team to provide the best possible customer experience. That’s just as important to us as expanding to more locations,” he said.
Sola Salons’ model offers turnkey opportunities for entrepreneurs, providing fully equipped, customizable salon suites in upscale settings. By catering to beauty professionals who want independence, the brand continues to carve out a strong position in the $100 billion U.S. beauty industry.
The company’s industry recognition includes ranking first in Entrepreneur’s 2025 Salon Suites Category, 79th overall in the Franchise 500, and 23rd on the Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owners list, reinforcing its reputation as a leading choice for franchise investors.