Today, Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop celebrates its 15th anniversary. On November 25, 2009, the very first Tommy Gun’s location opened in Red Deer, Alberta, and since then, the franchise has revolutionized the way we think about traditional barbershops and men’s grooming.
To commemorate, here are 15 milestones from the past 15 years:
-
Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop is founded and opens in Alberta
In 2009, Ken Fisher, a visionary entrepreneur, launches Tommy Gun’s to revolutionize and redefine the barbering industry, focusing on a desire to create a unique and memorable experience for men. Ken, along with his son Keenan Fisher and son-in-law Cory Anderson, combined their 50+ years of experience in the hair care industry, and this collective expertise has propelled Tommy Gun’s to become a dominant force in the barbershop sector.
-
Tommy Gun’s continues to grow and celebrates the opening of its 10th location
With a focus on providing traditional barbershop services with modern amenities, the concept of Tommy Gun’s quickly proved to be a success. By 2013, the company had grown to nine locations across Alberta, and the grand opening of the first BC shop in Prince George marked the beginning of a significant upward trajectory.
-
Tommy Gun’s expands to Australia
Tommy Gun's expanded its reach internationally in 2015, opening its first location in Brisbane, Australia. The immediate success of this location, coupled with growing demand, has led to the opening of 13 shops across Australia and opening their own centrally located Distribution Centre in 2023.
-
Tommy Gun’s hosts Leadership Summit
In 2015, Tommy Gun's hosted its first annual Global Leadership Summit, bringing together a network of passionate franchisees to celebrate successes, share best practices, and learn from industry experts. Additionally, Tommy Gun’s began hosting an annual barber education event led by industry leaders to provide our national network of barbers with the latest techniques and trends.
-
Giving Back: Partnering with Movember
Since 2017, Tommy Gun’s has proudly supported the Movember Foundation through an annual fundraiser. Over the years, the commitment has helped raise over $500,000, contributing to vital projects that support men’s health, mental health, and prostate cancer awareness. This ongoing partnership highlights the dedication to giving back to the community and making a positive impact.
-
The Launch of TGU (Tommy Gun’s University)
As part of our commitment to excellence, Tommy Gun’s introduced TGU and launched our innovative online platform designed to elevate barber education in 2018. TGU offers a comprehensive Learning Management System featuring training videos, a robust course catalogue, certificates, team leaderboards, and badge-earning opportunities. This platform empowers the Shop teams to grow their skills and stay ahead in the industry.
-
The First TG Throwdown Barber Battle
Launched in 2018, the TG Throwdown has become an annual celebration of barbering excellence. Barbers from across the network showcase their craft, with the top 16 competing live on stage for Barber of the Year—highlighting creativity, camaraderie, and the passion of the TG community.
-
Opening of the National TG Distribution Centre
In November 2019, Tommy Gun’s opens the TG Distribution Centre in Kelowna, creating a centralized hub for product and supply distribution. This facility streamlines access to retail products, barbershop essentials, and inventory items, supporting the seamless day-to-day operations of Tommy Gun’s locations nationwide.
-
Tommy Gun’s Expands to the US
In December 2019, Tommy Gun’s made its debut in the U.S. with the first location in Gilbert, Arizona. This expansion marked the beginning of international growth and is now actively seeking franchisees to join the successful network as they continue to grow in Arizona and Utah.
-
From Barber to Owner: A New Chapter Begins
In August 2020, Tommy Gun’s celebrated a remarkable milestone as Amanda Cascaden became the first Tommy Gun’s barber to own her own location in Kelowna. Her success story paved the way for other talented barbers to follow suit, including Megan in Newmarket, Kathleen in North Vancouver, and Vicki & Jaclyn in Walnut Grove. These inspiring women continue to lead the charge, demonstrating the incredible growth and opportunities within the TG community.
-
The Launch of the TG App: A First for the Industry
In May 2021, Tommy Gun’s introduced their custom TG app, available on Apple and Google Play, offering a unique advantage in the barbering world. Unlike many other barbershops, the TG app allows guests to check in and add themselves to the queue—no appointments required. This innovative technology streamlines the process, enhances convenience, and maximizes chair revenue, setting Tommy Gun’s apart from the competition.
-
Tommy Gun’s launches e-commerce site
In Summer 2021, Tommy Gun’s expanded its reach with the launch of their e-commerce site, allowing Canadian communities without a local barbershop to access top grooming products for men and women. This success further supports the growth of the Tommy Gun’s brand and franchise network across the country
-
Expanding to New Zealand
In 2023, Tommy Gun’s made its international debut in New Zealand, opening the first location in Auckland, quickly followed by a second. This marks another exciting step in the global expansion, bringing the Tommy Gun’s experience to a whole new market and furthering their growth beyond North America.
-
Tommy Gun’s launches Aveda Facial
Tommy Gun’s continues to evolve with the addition of the Aveda facial service. Expanding beyond haircuts, shaves, colouring, and waxing, this new offering further strengthens their commitment to partnering with exclusive brands like Aveda. By diversifying services, they’re not only increasing revenue but also building greater loyalty with their guests while staying aligned with market demand.
-
Reaching 100 Locations Worldwide: A Major Milestone
This year, Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop celebrates 15 years of remarkable success, growth, and expansion. This milestone reflects the unwavering support of its franchisees, support office team, and loyal guests. A standout achievement in 2024 was the opening of the brand’s 100th location globally in Langley BC, followed by five additional shops to close out the year. With more locations set to open across Canada, the U.S., and Australia in the coming year, Tommy Gun’s has much to celebrate and look forward to as it continues its journey.
Explore how you can be part of Tommy Gun’s success story—visit our franchising page to learn more about joining the TG family!
