How do barbershops work?

[Sampiro]

This is really more of a GQ, but I’ll put it here because the reason I’m wondering after the movie BARBERSHOP and after last week’s KING OF THE HILL episode. I had always assumed that barbershops/beauty salons hired hair cutters for a small salary (minimum wage or so) and then gave them a commission on each haircut (plus tips, of course). In both Barbershop and KotH, “chair rental” is mentioned. Is this standard practice? Do chains like Fantastic Sam’s and U.S. Haircutters operate this way?

Thanks for any info.

[pkbites]

My Aunt owns a salon, and she rents the chair to the cutter.

[smiling_bandit]

From what I understand, most salons/barbershops make their money by renting the facilities. There are often house prices for different cuts or other hair-works. Individual stylists may charge more in some places, though. Good stylists, and I’m not talking hollywood-class here, make a lot more than minimum wage, even its they aren’t going to be independently wealthy anytime soon.