MENU
SEARCHHow this seasoned owner runs four busy salons in two separate states.
Jack Panico
Panico Salons and Spas
Ridgewood, Oradell and West Caldwell, New Jersey; and Miami Beach, Florida
In the years since Jack Panico has taken over the family business, he has helped it evolve from a group of five stylists to a multi-location business with 225 employees, Here’s a glimpse inside his successful salons and spas.
How did you get your start in the salon business?
My parents were salon owners, so I was brought up in the industry.
We hear Jack Senior is planning to get involved in the business again. What will his new role be?
My father lives in South Beach and decided he wanted to get back behind the chair again. He’s an International Champion who’s been training with the best in the industry, and he’s back in action.
What are the challenges of running salons in two different parts of the country?
We maintain our programs and systems as tightly as possible. Keeping in mind the needs and wants of the clientele, we sometimes have to create different programs to suit the needs of a particular area.
What niches do you target?
We target all ages and groups by making sure our technicians receive education in the latest cutting, color and spa services. People know our stylists are trained to execute the latest trends, and that they’ll receive a great hair cut and color.
How do you cater to men?
We cater to men much the same way we cater to women: with consistency, education and professionalism. We offer men’s events, in which we create a ‘Guy’s Night Out.’ We bring in widescreen TVs for special sporting events and offer mini-chair massages and hair cuts.
What’s the most memorable thing to ever happen at your salon?
A woman drove her car through the wall of our color area. We had the police and paramedics come. She had to be taken to the hospital. Fortunately, she was okay. That’s not the end of the story, though. A few hours later, she came back to get her hair done—bruises and all! I envisioned making a commercial out of it with the slogan, “Nothing keeps them from coming to Panico.” Honestly, the joke for the next several weeks was our customers asking if we offer “drive-thru color.”
Who is your industry role model?
My parents were my first significant industry role models who’ve made the greatest impact in my career. My father’s talent is unsurpassed, and my mother’s integrity has made me who I am today.
PANICO SALONS AND SPAS
Established: Ridgewood—1973; Oradell—1976; West Caldwell—1988; South Beach—2004
Website: www.panico.com
Salon setup: Ridgewood—63 chairs, 6 treatment rooms, 4 mani and pedi stations; Oradell—42 chairs, 4 treatment rooms, 8 mani and pedi stations; West Caldwell—21 chairs, 2 treatment rooms; South Beach—8 chairs, 4 treatment rooms, 6 mani and pedi stations
Square feet: Ridgewood 7,500; Oradell 6,000; West Caldwell 3,000; South Beach 2,500
Employees: Ridgewood 82; Oradell 63; West Caldwell 48; South Beach 12
Prices: Hair cuts range from $50-$150
Salon software: Software Creations
Equipment/furnishings: Salon Interiors
Primary hair care lines: Davines, Goldwell, Paul Mitchell
Primary chemical lines: Goldwell, Paul Mitchell, Redken
Primary spa lines: Murad, Phytomer
After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.
The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.
Scott maximized her micro-salon by transitioning from stylist to strategic owner, focusing on recruiting and station-sharing. By prioritizing her ownership role over behind-the-chair work, she grew her team to six stylists within the two-chair, 150-square-foot space before eventually moving to a larger facility.
The former CFO of Perdue Farms and owner of Hardy Seafood, Terry Owens delivers a wealth of wisdom and strategies for entrepreneurs in his new book, "Business is Simple."
After scaling her single-location salon business, SALON TODAY 200 Honoree Amy Pal recently sold her six-location Whip Salon for seven figures. Using the six Ps for maximizing a business's value, she's ready to help her peers do the same.
Buried inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are federal solar tax credit changes that deserve your attention now. Two of the credits that matter most to commercial property owners, the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit, are still available, but only if you move fast. A third, the Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Deduction, has a hard termination date that is closer than most people realize.
Up to 40% of hair stylists ghost the salon interview stage, leaving owners trapped playing endless phone tag with uncommitted applicants. This data-driven report breaks down why traditional job boards create recruitment friction and reveals the modern messaging strategies high-growth salons use to get pre-qualified talent to actually show up. Learn how to transition from cold calling to high-conversion conversations that protect your time and fill your chairs.
Sponsored by Beautista
Spit fests, hostile threats, and even an overachieving matchmaker--SALON TODAY readers share their craziest client tales and how their team handled these tough situations with professionalism and grace.
Keeping your appointment book full when clients are in vacation mode takes more than a good Instagram post. It takes a plan. The 2026 Summer Marketing Calendar from Meevo gives salon, spa & med spa owners a month-by-month roadmap with sharp themes, key opportunity dates, and campaign ideas specifically designed for the beauty & wellness industry. Here’s to your summer season working as hard as you do!
Sponsored by Millennium Systems International
AI is transforming the beauty and wellness industry, and the future is about empowering people, not replacing them. Discover how Phorest AI helps salons, spas, and med spas across North America respond faster, personalize every visit, and keep human connection at the heart of the client experience.
Sponsored by Phorest
Owner Michaella Blissett-Williams credits her General Manager Gloria Hortua with [salon] 718's year-over-year, double-digit growth and says she's been able to scale the company to eight locations because she can rely on Hortua to manage daily operations.
Shine Time: Aluram’s High Shine Line Delivers Moisture and Shine with Clean Ingredients
Sponsored by Aluram
Elyse Rogers is an uplifting presence at The Headroom who makes the team feel heard even in stressful situations. Owner Danielle Cherewyk sings her praises in this installment of Meet the Manager.
Despite a slight and predictable decline in client traffic for Q1, resilient pricing power is driving year-over-year revenue growth in salons. The KIM Report's Alain Audet reviews the data and what it's telling us about the state of professional beauty.
Same-store revenue grew just 2% for the second straight year—and new guest visits declined across every segment of the industry. The 2026 Benchmark Report reveals where growth is actually happening, which verticals are pulling ahead, and what the data says about where your business stands right now.
Sponsored by Zenoti
Hair restoration is entering a new era driven by regenerative science. This paper explores how Exosome technology is transforming treatment outcomes by targeting hair loss at a cellular level. Discover why EXOGROW is leading this shift.
Sponsored by Dermapenworld
A salon brand is much more than a logo. In this thought-provoking blog, Leon Alexander, Ph.D., walks you through the difference. SALON TODAY suggests sharing this article with your team and leading a discussion at your next huddle, asking the team to define your business's brand.
