SmartStyle Hair Salon in Chattanooga: Affordable Cuts and Color in a Franchise Setting
SmartStyle is a full-service hair salon operating inside the Walmart on Gunbarrel Road, offering cuts, color, and styling services at prices lower than independent salons in the area. As a franchise concept, it maintains standardized pricing and scheduling across locations but lacks the continuity of a single-stylist relationship that many clients prefer at neighborhood shops.
What SmartStyle actually is
SmartStyle operates as a walk-in and appointment salon within a Walmart location, meaning you access it through the store entrance. The salon occupies a dedicated space with multiple stations and typically employs several stylists during operating hours. The model targets budget-conscious customers and those seeking convenience alongside their grocery shopping, though the in-mall setting and high turnover of stylists contrast with independent salons where you build a long-term relationship with one stylist.
Services and pricing
SmartStyle offers haircuts, color services (including single-process and highlights), perms, treatments, and styling. Pricing is fixed by the franchise:
- Women's haircut: $24.99
- Men's haircut: $16.99
- Color services start at $39.99 for single-process and range up to $69.99+ for more complex work like balayage or full highlights
- Perms and chemical treatments run $59.99 to $79.99
These prices remain stable across locations, though promotions occasionally appear in the Walmart app. Verify current pricing before booking since promotional rates do shift seasonally.
How it compares to other Chattanooga salons
SmartStyle's main advantage is price and location convenience. For comparison, independent salons like Salon Aria in the North Shore area charge $35 to $55 for a women's cut and $65 to $120 for color services, with premium salons running higher. Chatty Roots Salon downtown charges $50 to $75 for cuts and $85 to $150 for color, reflecting the independent pricing typical of neighborhood shops.
Choose SmartStyle if you prioritize cost and scheduling flexibility without advance notice. Choose an independent salon if you want continuity with one stylist, specialized techniques like extensive balayage or textured-hair expertise, or a quieter environment away from the retail setting.
Who it suits and who it doesn't
SmartStyle works well for straightforward cuts, first-time color services, and routine maintenance, especially if you don't mind or prefer a different stylist each visit. It suits parents managing quick appointments around errands and budget-minded clients. It does not suit clients who need complex color correction, specialized techniques for curly or textured hair, or those who value an ongoing relationship with a named stylist. The Walmart location also means noise from the store and a less private atmosphere than a standalone salon.
What the first visit involves
Walk in during posted hours and check in at the desk, or call ahead to book a time slot. Expect a typical consultation where the stylist discusses your desired cut or color, then proceeds with the service. Wait times vary depending on appointment density; weekday mornings tend to be quieter than evenings and weekends. The salon occupies the main floor Walmart space, so you'll navigate through the store to reach it.
Hours, parking, and logistics
SmartStyle operates inside the Walmart on Gunbarrel Road (2900 Gunbarrel Road), which is open until 11 p.m. most days, though salon hours may close earlier. Confirm salon hours by calling or checking the Walmart app, as they can shift seasonally. Parking is free and abundant in the Walmart lot. The salon is accessible by car from I-75 via Gunbarrel Road, and it lies in the eastern part of Chattanooga near Hixson.
SmartStyle fills a practical gap for Chattanooga shoppers who need affordable, no-appointment-necessary cuts and color without the premium pricing of independent salons, though the Walmart location and stylist turnover limit it to clients seeking transaction-based rather than relationship-based service.
