Drybar
Salon chain focused exclusively on wash and blowout hairstyling.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
$20.0m | Late VC | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Drybar is a chain of salons that exclusively provides a hairstyling service known as a blowout, with no cuts or coloring. The business was founded in 2010 by Alli Webb, her brother Michael Landau, and her then-husband Cameron Webb. The idea originated from Webb's mobile blowout business, "Straight At Home," which she started in 2009 after identifying a market gap for affordable, standalone blowout services.
Alli Webb, a former professional hairstylist trained by Toni & Guy and John Sahag, leveraged her experience and public relations background to build the brand. Michael Landau, who has a background in brand marketing, including nearly a decade at Yahoo!, served as Executive Chairman, driving the company's growth. Cameron Webb, an advertising veteran, was instrumental in creating the brand's distinct creative identity and aesthetic.
The first Drybar location opened in Brentwood, California, and experienced immediate success, with demand quickly exceeding capacity. This led to rapid expansion, and by 2018, the company had over 100 locations and 3,000 employees. The business model operates on providing a consistent, high-quality experience in a uniquely themed setting. Salons are designed to resemble a bar, with stylists called "bartenders" and hairstyles named after cocktails. Revenue is generated primarily through these blowout services, as well as through the sale of a proprietary line of hair care products and styling tools, which was launched in 2013 in partnership with Sephora and QVC. The company also utilizes a franchise model for expansion and offers memberships for frequent clients.
Drybar has received significant private equity investment, including from Castanea Partners in 2012 and a minority stake from Roark Capital Group in 2016. In 2019, Helen of Troy acquired the Drybar trademark and its product line for $255 million. Subsequently, in 2021, WellBiz Brands, Inc. acquired the franchise rights for the Drybar shops.
Keywords: blowout services, hair styling, salon chain, hair care products, franchise, beauty industry, Alli Webb, professional hairstyling, salon experience, styling tools, retail beauty, bar-themed salon, customer experience, hair wash, hair maintenance, beauty services, salon membership, Helen of Troy, Roark Capital, WellBiz Brands