The nature of business expansion has fundamentally changed. Growth is no longer measured by square foot, but by the sophistication of systems, depth of data, and strength of culture. Technology has blurred boundaries between physical and digital, and businesses are learning that agility, not size, defines success.

Today, the leaders who grow sustainably are those who combine digital fluency with human insight. They not only open salons at new locations but also replicate culture, consistency, and client trust on a scale.

Here’s what five industry leaders driving this evolution—Raghav Bhambri (Toni & Guy India), Sachin Kamat (Zenoti), Sahil Gupta (Bodycraft Salon & Spa), Vikram Bhat (Enrich), and Rohan Kant (Envi Salons)—have to say as they redefine how business and technology converge to create scalable, future-ready enterprises.

RAGHAV BHAMBRI, CEO, TONI & GUY INDIA: “Expansion is meaningful only when brand experience remains consistent.”

For Raghav Bhambri, leadership in a global beauty powerhouse like Toni & Guy means staying true to the brand’s DNA while adapting to local realities. His approach to expansion focuses on quality control, culture replication, and system-led discipline.

“Toni & Guy has always stood for professional excellence,” Bhambri says. “Our goal is to grow without losing the artistic precision and service standards that define the brand.”

To achieve this, Toni & Guy India has embedded digital processes across operations i.e from virtual training programmes for stylists to real-time quality audits and CRM-driven customer engagement. “Technology is not a replacement for people,” Bhambri adds. “It’s a reinforcement of standards.”

His expansion philosophy is pragmatic: every new outlet should deliver the same level of experience, regardless of geography. “We are not chasing numbers, but building a legacy of trust,” he says.

“Our goal was never TO BE EVERYWHERE; it was TO BE EXCELLENT wherever we are.”

- Raghav Bhambri, CEO, Toni & Guy India

SACHIN KAMAT, FOUNDER & CEO, ZENOTI SYSTEMS:

“Technology is now the operating system of modern beauty businesses.”

For Sachin Kamat, the future of the salon and wellness industry lies on a disciplined, tech-enabled scale. With Zenoti being built from firsthand experience of running a beauty chain, he believes brands will win by standardising operations and letting technology power consistency. “The industry is moving toward a retail-like model, unified pricing, centralised SOPs, and data-led staffing,” he says.

AI, he predicts, will become fully embedded in daily workflows. AI receptionists will handle booking calls and follow-ups, predictive analytics will optimise demand and staffing, and AI assistants will give managers instant insights through natural-language queries. “Tech will take over the routine so people can focus on service,” he adds.

Kamat sees smarter systems solving the most common scaling pain points: fragmented processes, front-desk overload, inventory leakage, and complex payments. A centralised platform allows brands to codify their standards and apply them everywhere. “This is how multi-location operators achieve franchise-grade discipline,” he notes.

Data-driven decision-making is now a core profitability driver. With benchmarking and embedded analytics, brands can track ticket size, rebook rates, utilisation, and reviews, and act daily through targeted campaigns and better scheduling. The result is improved retention, higher retail sales, and stronger customer experience.

His advice to expanding brands is simple and sharp: “Scale one playbook, not 10.” Lock your pricing, menus, thresholds, payroll rules, and KPIs into the system before opening new locations. Software is not an expense; it’s the multiplier that accelerates revenue growth.”

“Technology turns COMPLEXITY INTO CLARITY; that is the new definition of GROWTH. ”

- Sachin Kamat, Founder & CEO, Zenoti Systems

SAHIL GUPTA, DIRECTOR, BODYCRAFT SALON:

“True expansion happens when innovation meets consistency.”

For Sahil Gupta, growth is both a science and an art. At Bodycraft, expansion has been rooted in discipline, where every innovation is backed by systems that ensure the same customer experience everywhere.

“You cannot scale chaos,” Gupta says. “Before we opened our next outlet, we made sure our internal processes were ready to replicate without dilution.”

Bodycraft has invested heavily in technology. From digital appointment management and service audits to advanced client profiling that helps to personalise experiences. “Tech enables us to be proactive in understanding customer needs before they voice them,” he adds.

However, Gupta emphasises that people remain at the heart of growth. “Our staff are our brand custodians. We invest continuously in training and upskilling. Innovation cannot replace empathy.”

His perspective on scaling is simple but powerful: “Do not grow faster than your ability to maintain excellence. True expansion sustains; it does not stretch.”

“ GROWTH that does not SERVE YOUR CUSTOMER or your people is NOT SUSTAINABLE. ”

- Sahil Gupta, Director, Bodycraft Salon

VIKRAM BHATT, CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, ENRICH:

“Purpose-driven scale creates longevity.”

At Enrich, Vikram Bhatt’s philosophy is rooted in purpose: building a business that grows meaningfully, not mechanically. “Expansion is not a race; it is a reflection of how well you can replicate your purpose,” he says.

Enrich has evolved into one of India’s most respected salon chains by merging human-centric culture with smart technology. “We have built systems that enable stylists to deliver personalised services while maintaining consistency across all locations,” Bhatt explains.

The company leverages data insights to improve customer engagement and optimise operations, but Bhatt insists that human connection remains the foundation. “Technology helps us stay connected, but culture keeps us grounded,” he adds.

Looking ahead, he envisions a hybrid business model, where digital convenience and physical experience coexist seamlessly. “The future will be about touch and tech empathy, powered by intelligence.”

“Purpose is the REAL SCALE MULTIPLIER .”

- Vikram Bhatt, Co-founder & Director, Enrich Salon

ROHAN KANT, CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, ENVI SALONS:

“The future is about intelligent beauty powered by data.”

For Rohan Kant, the next phase of beauty business expansion is defined by data-driven intelligence. “The Indian salon industry is moving toward an organised, tech-integrated ecosystem,” he says. “AI consultations, digital skin and hair diagnostics, and predictive service recommendations will soon be the norm.”

At Envi, technology is the backbone of scalability. From centralised CRMs and automated staff training tools to real-time dashboards, Kant has built an infrastructure that ensures every outlet delivers a consistent premium experience. “Smart systems remove uncertainty as they make scale sustainable,” he notes.

Data, he says, is now the new growth currency. “By tracking client frequency, service history, and preferences, we can design retention campaigns that work in real time,” he explains. Predictive analytics and AI-driven engagement tools help Envi simultaneously maintain loyalty and profitability.

The brand is also exploring innovation-led revenue streams. “We are developing an AI Stylist Companion, a digital beauty assistant that keeps clients connected with Envi even after they have left the salon chair,” Kant reveals.

For new entrepreneurs, his advice is practical: “Invest in systems before you expand. Structure creates consistency, and consistency builds trust.”

“Invest in STRUCTURE BEFORE SCALE — that’s how growth becomes SUSTAINABLE. ”

- Rohan Kant, Co-founder & Director, Envi Salons

Across these five perspectives, a new vision of expansion emerges. It’s an industry built on intelligence, structure, and authenticity. The future of business is not about how fast you grow, but how well you scale.

These leaders remind us that technology, when used wisely, amplifies human potential. The real differentiator will be how brands balance automation with empathy, precision with creativity, and growth with purpose.