Giving back to the community is a core value at Great Clips. Our Veterans Day initiative is one of our most popular promotions. (Click here for details or read below*.) The wonderful thing about the program is how it creates a web of giving. Not only does the salon give a free haircut to any active or retired military member, it also provides that gift to customers for them to pass along to veterans or military members they know. How great is that?
Last year, Great Clips salons gave away 222,874 free haircuts to veterans and military members through the Thank a Veteran program. And, believe me, they were appreciative! How do we know? They tell us!
“It’s nice going to get my haircut at a place in which the business will take a moment and honor those of us who have served. It is the little things in life in which a big business puts aside a little appreciation that means a lot. Thanks again.” Billy Keegan
When you think about it, gratitude is such an easy emotion to express. Yet, it sometimes falls by the wayside in our busy lives. Saying thanks is especially important because the U.S. depends on an all-volunteer military. The few—0.4 percent of the country’s population—are bearing the responsibility for the rest of us. Appreciation is a gift that grows!
“My husband gets his haircuts at the Great Clips on a regular basis and I received a haircut [last Veteran’s Day] because of the Veterans promotion. May I say, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I am so impressed at how EVERYONE treated me, and how my stylist was just great. I will continue to do business at this location… I would really appreciate it if you would recognize the wonderful and talented staff that you have.” Milli Shatto (a very pleased and happy customer)
The Veterans Day promotion is a great opportunity for every franchisee to bring in new customers while providing a service that is well appreciated. The great thing about the free haircut cards is that new customers will continue to arrive through the end of the year.
“I am taking the time to express my gratitude to Great Clips for their expression of thanks to veterans…. During my time of service, gratitude was seldom shown toward vets. In fact, when I returned from the Far East in 1968, I was accosted, spit at and called a murderer and a baby killer. Today I was not only thanked, but given a free haircut. You are welcome, America. Debt paid in full.” John Green
Great Clips CEO Rhoda Olsen is married to a veteran of the Vietnam war. She urges people to give the free haircut cards to family members, friends, neighbors “or just someone you notice is a veteran” to thank them for serving our country.
“It’s a simple yet meaningful way for more people to show appreciation to veterans, with the help of Great Clips,” says Rhoda.
One last comment, from L. Kleinkopf:
“I would just like to thank you for providing recognition for Veteran's Day. While I sat in proximity with other veterans of all ages and from all branches, the most repeated comment I heard was: ‘I just did my job, but it sure is nice for them to do this for us.’ Your staff was professional, patient and provided excellent service. Thank you again.
On behalf of the Great Clips family, I’d like to say: You are welcome. Again and again, you are welcome. Thank you for your service.
* Everyone who comes into a U.S. Great Clips’ salon on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for a haircut will get a card for a free haircut to give to an active, inactive or retired member of any branch of the military, including the National Guard. The cards will be good for a haircut through Dec. 31, 2015.
Active or retired military members can also come in on Veterans Day for a free haircut or to pick up a free haircut card to use, with proof of service, any day before Dec. 31, 2015. Get more information here.