What Sorbet does

Sorbet is South Africa's largest professional beauty and grooming brand, operating a multi-format network of 200+ stores nationwide through four distinct banners: Sorbet Salon (full-service beauty and skin treatments), Sorbet Nailbar (dedicated nail services), Sorbet Hairbar (hair colouring, cutting, and styling for diverse hair types), and Sorbet MAN (male grooming). Founded in 2005 by Ian Fuhr, the company serves individual consumers — men and women — seeking professional, standardised beauty services ranging from basic manicures (R130) to advanced skin therapies such as microneedling (up to R1,975), and performs 3.6 million+ treatments annually across approximately 3,000+ staff ("Citizens"). The business is organised as The Sorbet Experience (Pty) Ltd, a South African private limited company, and is supported by a Zenoti-powered online booking platform, iOS/Android mobile applications, and a tiered loyalty programme (Sorbet Society) with Green, Blue, Silver, and Gold tiers.

Sorbet's core technology stack centres on the third-party Zenoti SaaS platform, which handles appointment scheduling, customer data, and operational delivery across all formats; this is complemented by a mobile app for booking, loyalty management, and gift card purchases. The product and service offering is anchored by 85+ professional beauty brands retailed in-store — including Dermalogica, Environ, Exuviance, Olaplex, Redken, Moroccan Oil, Mizani, Bio Sculpture, and Morgan Taylor — alongside an exclusive Sorbet-branded product range. Sorbet Academy provides accredited training in nail technology, hairdressing, barbering, and advanced skin treatments, supplying the franchise network with trained staff, while the SEW (Sorbet Empowering Wo+men) initiative functions as a socio-economic skills-development pipeline.

The company operates a franchise-based revenue model combining direct service revenue (treatments ranging R130–R1,975), product retail, franchise fees and royalties, and gift card sales (R250–R1,750 denominations, 36-month validity). In June 2023, Sorbet was acquired by JSE-listed Clicks Group for R109 million (approximately US$5.7M), enabling Clicks ClubCard loyalty integration and the distribution of exclusive Sorbet-branded products through Clicks' 1,003 stores and 795 pharmacies. The acquired Candi&Co brand operates alongside the four core Sorbet formats, broadening the network's service mix.

Name

Sorbet

Legal name

The Sorbet Experience (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://sorbet.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sorbet is South Africa's largest professional beauty and grooming brand, operating 200+ stores across Salon, Nailbar, Hairbar, and MAN formats, with 3,000+ staff performing 3.6 million+ treatments annually. Acquired by Clicks Group in June 2023, it retails 85+ professional beauty brands and serves individual consumers across all South African provinces.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beauty Salon Services

NAICS

Beauty Salons (812112), Nail Salons (812113), Barber Shops (812111), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120), Hair, Nail, and Skin Care Services (81211), Personal Care Services (8121)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Haircutting & Styling Services (HSALAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Men's Hair Salons (HSALAAAB), Luxury/High-End Barber Lounges (HSALABAH), Brow & Lash Growth Treatments / Conditioning (Serums/In-Salon) (HSALAIAK), Salon & Spa Management / Operations (EDAOALAK)

Keywords

• Professional beauty services
• Nail care treatments
• Men's grooming services
• Hair salon services
• Beauty product retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Beauty and Grooming Services: Revenue from professional beauty treatments including manicures, pedicures, facials, hair services, waxing, and men's grooming across Salon, Nailbar, Hairbar, and MAN formats. Services range from R175 to R1975+ depending on treatment complexity and duration.
2. Product Retail: Sale of professional beauty and grooming products including Dermalogica, Environ, Exuviance, Redken, Olaplex, Moroccan Oil, and Sorbet-branded products. Customers can earn loyalty points on purchases.
3. Franchise Fees: Franchise-based business model where franchisees pay for the right to operate Sorbet stores. The company provides training, brand support, and operational systems.
4. Gift Cards: Digital and physical gift cards sold at R250-R1,750 denominations, redeemable for treatments or products at any Sorbet store nationwide. Valid for 36 months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sorbet operates a nationwide chain of 200+ beauty and grooming salons across South Africa under four distinct store formats—Sorbet Salon (full-service), Sorbet Nailbar (specialised nail care), Sorbet Hairbar (hair services), and Sorbet MAN (male grooming). The company delivers more than 3.6 million treatments per year and also retails professional beauty brands through Clicks pharmacies, alongside branded gift cards and an in-house training academy.

Product overview

Sorbet is South Africa's largest professional beauty and grooming brand, operating as a multi-format retail and services network. The core offering consists of four service brands: Sorbet Salon (full-service beauty treatments), Sorbet Nailbar (nail care specialist), Sorbet Hairbar (hair care and styling), and Sorbet MAN (male grooming). These are complemented by a retail product line featuring 85+ professional beauty brands (including Dermalogica, Environ, Exuviance, Redken, Olaplex, Moroccan Oil, OPI, and Sorbet-branded products), a loyalty programme (Sorbet Society), gift card products, and the Sorbet Academy for beauty training. The Group also includes acquired brands such as Candi&Co and operates a social impact initiative (SEW). Booking is managed through the Zenoti platform. In June 2023, Sorbet was acquired by Clicks Group for R109 million.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sorbet Society: Free-to-join loyalty programme where members earn points on purchases and treatments, with tiered rewards including Green, Blue, Silver, and Gold tiers based on spending.
• Sorbet Academy
• SEW Initiative

Products and services

• Sorbet Salon

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.6 million+ treatments performed annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, standard and minor.

• Clicks GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023In June 2023, Clicks Group acquired Sorbet for R109 million (~$5.7 million USD). The partnership enables customers to earn Clicks ClubCard points on Sorbet transactions. Sorbet and Clicks collaborated to create an exclusive range of Sorbet-branded products available in both Sorbet and Clicks stores, offering integrated customer experience.
• DermalogicaflagshipOthersSorbet is the largest retailer of Dermalogica in South Africa. Dermalogica products are used in salon treatments and sold at Sorbet stores. The partnership includes exclusive Sorbet Dermalogica treatments and co-branded promotions.
• EnvironcoreOthersSorbet is a leading retailer of Environ skincare products in South Africa. Environ treatments are offered at Sorbet salons including Youth Renew Cool Peel and other vitamin-focused skin therapies.
• ExuviancestandardOthersExuviance skincare products are sold at Sorbet stores as part of the professional product range offering.
• Moroccan OilstandardOthersMoroccan Oil hair care products (treatment oil, styling) are available at Sorbet stores and used in hair treatments.
• OlaplexstandardOthersOlaplex bond-building hair treatments are offered at Sorbet Hairbar locations. Olaplex No. 4 shampoo, No. 3 treatment, and in-salon services available.
• RedkenstandardOthersRedken professional hair care products are sold at Sorbet stores including All Soft Shampoo & Conditioner and other styling products.
• MizanistandardOthersMizani hair care products for wavy, curly, and coily hair are offered at Sorbet Hairbar. Includes relaxer treatments and styling products specifically formulated for diverse hair types.
• Bio SculpturestandardOthersBio Sculpture nail products and gel polish are used at Sorbet Nailbar. Summer Heel callus treatment also offered.
• Morgan TaylorstandardOthersMorgan Taylor professional nail lacquer sold at Sorbet stores as part of nail product offerings.
• HeliocarestandardOthersSorbet is a leading retailer of Heliocare sun protection products in South Africa, including the 360° Color Gel Oil-Free tinted sunscreen SPF50.
• MotherkindstandardOthersMotherkind supplements and wellness products (collagen, vitamins) are sold at Sorbet stores as part of the health and beauty offering.
• ZenoticoreTechnology or IntegrationZenoti provides the online booking platform for Sorbet. Customers book appointments through the Zenoti-powered webstore and mobile app. The platform manages appointments, customer data, and service delivery across all Sorbet locations.
• SEW Initiative BeneficiariesminorOthersSEW (Sorbet Empowering Wo+men) is Sorbet's social impact initiative providing skills training for unemployed women and men to enter the beauty industry. Partners include recruitment organizations and training academies for graduate placement.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Drybar: US-based chain specializing in blowouts and hair styling services. Closely comparable to Sorbet's Hairbar format and the original Sorbet Drybar concept, operating a service-led multi-location model.
• European Wax Center: US franchise chain specializing in waxing services with a recurring-wax membership model. Directly comparable to Sorbet's waxing services and franchise-based scale strategy.
• Massage Envy: Largest US franchised provider of massage and skincare services with a membership-based subscription model. Comparable in franchise scale, membership flywheel, and service breadth to Sorbet Salon.
• Great Clips: Largest US hair salon franchise with thousands of locations offering walk-in haircuts and styling. Mirrors Sorbet's franchise-based salon model and emphasis on consistent service delivery at scale.
• Roosters Men's Grooming Center: US chain offering men's haircuts, hot towel shaves, and grooming services. Directly comparable to Sorbet MAN's positioning as a male grooming destination with haircut and shave services.
• Blo Blow Dry Bar: North American franchise chain of express blowout bars. Closely aligned with Sorbet's Hairbar / blowout specialty model and lower-footprint format expansion strategy.
• Amazing Lash Studio: US franchise chain dedicated to eyelash extensions and brow services. Comparable to Sorbet Salon's brow and lash service line and the franchise format for specialty beauty services.
• Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa: North American chain of massage and facial spa locations with membership-based recurring revenue. Mirrors Sorbet Salon's core offerings of facials, massages, and waxing across a multi-location footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Regis Corporation: Global operator of hair salon brands (Supercuts, SmartStyle, Cost Cutters) with thousands of franchised and corporate locations. Comparable as a broader incumbent in franchise salon services with portfolio approach similar to Sorbet's multi-format strategy.
• Ulta Beauty: Largest US specialty beauty retailer combining prestige and mass-market beauty products with in-store salon services. Comparable to Sorbet's product-retail-plus-service model and Dermalogica/Environ-led brand partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sorbetgroup
• Xx.com/sorbetgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sorbet-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sorbet