Case Study: Pigtails & Crewcuts achieves faster check-ins and record-breaking throughput with QLess

QLess Solution automates check-in and helps family hair salon set national record

Pigtails & Crewcuts, a busy Charlotte children’s hair salon, struggled with a manual clipboard sign-in that slowed check-ins, caused confusion over chair sizes (regular vs. booster) and made staff spend too much time managing the waiting area. Owner Drew McWilliams wanted a technology fix to streamline service, reduce perceived line-jumping and improve throughput.

In summer 2015 the salon implemented QLess—iPad and text check-in with separate queues by chair size overseen from a touchscreen—so staff could focus on customers instead of the clipboard. The change sped up service, boosted revenue (about $1,200/month per store from mobile queuing), cut no-shows, delivered a 600%+ ROI, and helped the salon set a national record of 171 haircuts in one day.

Pigtails & Crewcuts

Drew McWilliams

Franchise Owner