That's a remarkable accomplishment for our franchise owners over any period of time, but particularly during these last several quarters with the economy sputtering.

We never say our business is recession-proof, but I think 20 straight quarters of same-store-sales growth is proof that we're recession resistant. And if you ask our franchisees, they'll weigh in with their own thoughts on how the business is performing:

"Our Great Clips franchise organization, Sanra, Inc., is up 10% in dollars this time over last year, and customer count growth is up 7.4%," says Raine Campeau, metro Detroit area franchisees. "Our organization is making so much money we bought property on a lake in the Hilton Head, S.C. area and plan to build a winter home there in a few years."

Please go back and check out where Raine lives - in the metro Detroit area. Yes, that same Detroit market (where I lived for 11 years) that is struggling with double-digit unemployment and an entire industry that has been battered over the last several years.

Owners who experience and validate our growth story are at the heart of our brand-building effort.

Kyle Eckman, a multi-unit salon owner in Montana says: "We have experienced significant growth in all our markets, even during this recession. Customer counts are up about 10% this year, and we are looking for additional opportunities to expand and gain market share. Great Clips provides franchisees with a fantastic business model that thrives in both good and bad economic times."

When new and existing owners who wish to expand need financing, they'll find willing partners because solid consistent growth is credible evidence that the brand is healthy.

"The success of IRH Capital, to a great extent, depends upon partnering with quality franchisors such as Great Clips," says Keith Rabin, Managing Member, IRH Capital. "Great Clips has continued to prove their strength and commitment even during this challenging environment and we are not surprised by their continued success."

It all helps us attract middle and upper-level executives who possess strong management, leadership, communication and people skills, and who want to keep their day jobs while building their salon businesses on the side, as they transition out of corporate America.

Great Clips-A recession-resistant brand franchise with 20 consecutive quarters of same-store-sales growth.

"That is an impressive statement about the performance of the Great Clips brand," says Darrell Johnson, President & CEO of FRANdata. "Especially considering the challenging economic environment of the last few years, it's rare to see such a consistent increase in store sales."