About American Haircuts
More About Us
You look like a franchise. What’s up with that?
That’s a good question! We are only in metro Atlanta and not part of a large corporation. Our “corporate office” is in the spare bedroom of our owner’s home in Northwest Atlanta. Our owners are barbers and one of them, David Alexander, can still be found cutting hair in our Brookhaven shop. David, in addition to being a barber, is also quite handy with web and graphic design and does all of our graphics, marketing materials, and website.
Why did you choose the name AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP?
When we set out to open our first barbershop in 2005, we asked ourselves what would be a good name to represent our company. We believed, and still do, that America is a country made stronger by its diversity. We are a country people come to create a better life in freedom and safety. We acknowledge we still have much work to do, but we’re proud of how far we have come. That is why we chose to call ourselves AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP, and we apply our belief in the hope of America to the way we do business.
Our company is made up of humans from all walks of life. Straight, gay, transgender, non-binary, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, and almost everything in between. We may not always agree, but you are welcome here if you come to our shops with a loving heart and open mind.
American Haircuts® Barbershop - Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Handsomeness®.
Why did you start AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP?
The AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP concept was created by barbers David Alexander and Greg Martin in 2005 in Roswell, Georgia (along with our original partner, Scott Brown). David Alexander, who has been cutting men’s hair for 28 years, also has a successful acting career (find out more on his website) and has been seen in Ozark, The Walking Dead, House of Cards, NCIS: New Orleans, CSI and more. He also spent several years in California working at the iconic Baxter Finley Barber & Shop, where he served celebrities and executives in entertainment. Prior to AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP David was the Vice President of a national chain of sports-themed men’s salons. Greg Martin ended his successful career in Real Estate and Restaurant Management to become a barber with the goal of applying his site location and management experience to a profession he loves. Scott Brown, who has since left the company, served as our original CFO and General Manager of our first location.
We originally thought about creating a new “concept” in men’s haircare. We asked “What do guys want?” We thought of everything. Barbershop with a bar? Nope. Barbershop with a sports theme? Been there. Done that. We even considered a racing themed shop with hubcap wall sconces. None of our ideas seemed right. After about three months of sometimes heated debate, we nearly gave up. One night, we broke open a bottle of really great Scotch (Johnny Walker Blue Label, to be exact). A few sips later and we started reminiscing about going to the barbershop with our dads and how it felt to sit in a real barber chair. And how that hot lather felt on the back of our necks. We talked about the great conversation and about how the place smelled. Then it happened. We realized that, as guys, we didn’t want a theme or some kind of “concept.” We just wanted our barbershop back. A place where we can feel comfortable, get a great haircut, and have fun doing it. Our “theme” is really an “anti-theme.” AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP is a real barbershop for real guys. We didn’t invent the barbershop, a business which has been around for thousands of years. We just came up with a better way to do it. We’ve brought the barbershop into the modern age. Remembering the best of the past, while incorporating the future. Real barber chairs, hot lather shaves, great haircuts, and a traditional atmosphere combined with a few modern touches like free high speed internet, online appointments, and televisions to keep clients entertained while they wait.
In short, the barbershop is back and it’s better than ever.
Do you cut women’s hair?
Our barbers are trained specifically in the techniques for cutting men’s hair and we limit our practice to men’s haircuts and shaving because that is what we are trained to do best. Just like you wouldn’t go to a cardiologist for brain surgery, you don’t go to a barber for a graduated bob. Of course, if a woman wants a men’s style haircut, we’re very happy to oblige.
Can you cut my son’s hair?
Certainly. We cut guy’s hair – from the first haircut to the last. And we love our kid clients. We’re proud to say, the best kids in metro Atlanta get their hair cut here. One thing to keep in mind about our shop is that we were specifically created to be a fun and relaxing environment for men. We love kids, but we don’t cut the hair of kids who are screaming or otherwise disruptive. While it can be disappointing to not be able to get your kid’s hair cut, we must consider the comfort of our other patrons and the safety of your child (having sharp shears next to a child who is thrashing about is just not safe). Our atmosphere is adult, and while we try to keep the conversation clean when kids are present, it can sometimes be a bit mature for young ears.
One additional question we get asked from time to time is, “Why do you charge the same price for a kid’s cut?” The answer is simple. Kid’s cuts are more difficult to do than adult cuts (and take as much time) as kids move around a lot and you have to be more delicate with the cut. Some people think this policy is not kid friendly, but we feel it is fair to our barbers who earn a percentage of each haircut they perform.
Do you cut long hair?
Sure. Today’s longer styles are no problem for us. In fact, because we’re trained specifically for cutting men’s hair, we can give you a longer cut that is still suitable for a man’s face shape. In many salons they are trained to cut women’s hair, which is typically softer and fuller. They normally cut men’s hair using the same techniques, resulting in a soft, full, and pretty look. Probably not what most men are after. We’ll give you a longer style that is cool, lean, and edgy. That said, we do have some barbers are specialize in longer styles — when booking, select “Long Hair Don’t Care” and you’ll see a list of all of our team members who specialize in the flow.
How long am I going to have to wait?
We try to staff our shop to keep wait times to a minimum, but we’re popular, so we do get busy. To minimize waiting, keep in mind we do strongly suggest appointments. Also, if you walk in and there is a wait, you can put your name on the list and not lose your place if you want to run an errand or get a snack. You can’t do that at most other barbershops or chain shops. While we try to avoid making you wait, we don’t apologize for our wait times. We sometimes have longer wait times because we’re a popular place and we’re the best place in metro Atlanta to get a quality haircut. You probably wouldn’t want to eat at a restaurant in metro Atlanta on a weekend night if they don’t have a wait (if they don’t, it probably means they’re no good). The same thing applies with barbershops. If you come to a shop in the afternoon or on a Saturday and there’s no wait, it probably means they suck.
When we quote wait times, we try to be accurate, but certain factors (such as a difficult haircut or changes to a client’s ticket) may increase wait times. We also ask that you keep in mind that, our appointments don’t guarantee an exact time, they simply mean you’ll be the next person your barber sees upon your arrival.
We strive to make each haircut perfect, and we’re sure you’ll find we’re worth the wait. With just a little planning, we’ll have you in and out in no time.
Why do you ask for my phone number and email?
Your phone number is unique to your family and it enables us to easily find you in our computer system. Rest assured that your number is safe with us. We will never sell your information or give it to anyone that may try to market to you. That gets on our nerves, too. The computer also gives us a tool to enhance our service to you (when we know how long it’s been since your last cut, we can take off just the right amount), and it also tracks our barber’s performance and ensures our staff is compensated accurately. By providing your email and phone number, you also have access to text/email reminders, our loyalty program, and online appointments.
Do you do military cuts?
Most definitely. Flattops, high and tights, regulation cuts, and ‘fades” are no problem for us. We’ll give you a precision cut you’ll be proud to wear. We’ll even shave the sides and back and also offer full head shaves – for the same price as a regular haircut. If your are an active-duty soldier, police officer, or fireman, we’re proud to offer you a $10 discount. It is the VERY least we can do for those who risk their lives to protect us and keep us free!
Is it customary to tip (and how much)?
Barbers, like most people in the service industry, rely on tips as a part of their income. Tipping barbers is just the same as tipping in a restaurant, generally around 20%. Most clients tip $5-$10. Of course, the decision to tip is personal and you should tip whatever you feel is appropriate for the service you receive. If you ever feel the service you have received at AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP is less than exceptional, please let one of the owners know.
How come you don’t do color?
We specialize in cutting hair. That’s all we do. Many in our profession make the mistake of trying to be everything to everybody and, as a result, lose focus and become less proficient in each area. At AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP, we give the best cuts because that’s all we do. Besides those chemicals stink!
AMERICAN HAIRCUTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP encourages a creative, culturally diverse, and supportive work environment. We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and sexual harassment, as well as harassment or discrimination based on such factors as race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or any other basis protected by local law. AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of employees or non-employees with whom we have a business, service, or professional relationship. This applies to interactions with employees, customers, suppliers, and applicants for employment, and any other interactions where you represent AMERICAN HAIRCUTS® BARBERSHOP.
