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Buff City Soap: Your Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Bliss in 2025

5 minutes read

If you’re searching for a fresh, natural alternative to mass-produced soaps, Buff City Soap might just be your next obsession. This rapidly growing franchise has carved a niche in the personal care market with its handmade, plant-based products, crafted daily in-store at its signature “Soap Makeries.” From luxurious bath bombs to innovative laundry soaps, Buff City Soap promises a cleaner, greener way to pamper yourself and your home. As of March 19, 2025, with over 270 locations across the U.S. and exciting updates from 2024-2025, this Dallas-based brand is making waves. Whether you’re a loyal customer or a curious newcomer, this guide dives deep into everything you need to know about Buff City Soap—its history, offerings, customer experiences, and more. Let’s lather up and explore!

What Is Buff City Soap?

Buff City Soap is a retail franchise specializing in artisanal, plant-based bath, body, and home care products. Founded in 2013 as a small operation in Bartlett, Tennessee, by paramedic Brad Kellum and his wife Jennifer, it began with a mission to ditch harsh chemicals, detergents, and animal fats found in commercial soaps. The couple’s DIY soap-making hobby evolved into a business that’s now headquartered in Dallas, Texas, under Buff City Soap Franchising, LLC.

The brand’s hallmark? Every product is handmade in-store, often in front of customers, using natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils. With a focus on transparency and customization, Buff City Soap offers over 30 unique scents—think Lavender, Narcissist, or even quirky collaborations like Wingstop Ranch—and a growing range of items from soap bars to shampoo pucks. It’s a sensory experience that’s earned it the nickname “the Starbucks of soap” and a loyal following.

The History of Buff City Soap

Buff City Soap’s journey started in a garage, where the Kellums experimented with plant-based recipes to address skin sensitivities. By 2018, their vision caught the eye of investors, leading to a rebrand from “Soap Makery” to Buff City Soap and a franchise model launch. A pivotal moment came in 2021 when General Atlantic, a private equity firm, injected funding to fuel expansion, aiming to scale the company to a $1 billion valuation.

Leadership evolved too. In 2023, Dorvin Lively, a franchise veteran from Planet Fitness, became CEO, while Enrique Ramirez Mena took on dual roles as president and CFO before joining Jack in the Box’s board in 2024. By its 10th anniversary in 2023, Buff City had grown from a single store to over 200, with 272 locations documented by February 2025. This growth reflects its appeal in a market craving natural, customizable products.

Products Offered by Buff City Soap

Buff City Soap boasts a diverse lineup, all free of sulfates, parabens, and artificial nasties. Here’s a rundown of their offerings:

Bath and Body

Soap Bars: Hand-cut classics in scents like Oatmeal, Eucalyptus Mint, and seasonal picks like Pumpkin Spice (fall 2024).
Bath Bombs: Fizzy delights with skin-softening ingredients; popular choices include Fairy Dust and Ocean Breeze.
Shower Fizzies: Mini bath bombs for a quick steam boost.
Body Butters and Scrubs: Hydrating shea-based creams and exfoliating sugar scrubs in matching scents.
Shampoo and Conditioner Pucks: Solid bars that lather up, launched in 2023 for eco-conscious haircare.

Home and Laundry

Laundry Soap: A 2024 standout, this liquid detergent in scents like Fresh Cotton promises 40 loads per bottle with plant-based cleaning power.
Room Sprays: Home fragrances to match your soap vibe, introduced in late 2023.

Customization

Customers can mix scents or request bespoke products at the Makery counter—a hands-on feature that’s a hit at stores like the new Alabaster, Alabama location (opened December 2024). Holiday specials, like peppermint bath bombs for Black Friday 2024, keep the lineup fresh.

Buff City Soap Locations

As of February 9, 2025, Buff City Soap operates 272 stores across 36 states, per Agenty’s latest dataset. The brand’s footprint spans urban hubs and small towns alike, with a focus on community integration. Notable locations include:

Fargo, ND: 4501 15th Ave S, one of three in the city.
Alabaster, AL: Opened December 30, 2024, at 300 Colonial Promenade Pkwy.
Henrietta, NY: 720 Jefferson Rd, a 2022 addition with strong local buzz.
Pearland, TX: The first Houston-area store, launched in 2021.

Expansion slowed slightly in 2024 due to franchisee adjustments, but new openings—like Alabaster and a planned Southern Indiana spot—signal steady growth. Some closures, like the NuLu store in Louisville in 2023, reflect strategic shifts. Find your nearest location at buffcitysoap.com/locations, updated weekly.

Customer Reviews: What People Are Saying

Buff City Soap enjoys a solid 4.5/5 average rating across platforms like Google and Yelp, based on thousands of reviews. Here’s the scoop:

Praise

Quality: Customers rave about soft skin post-use, with one Fargo reviewer (March 2025) calling the Oatmeal soap “a game-changer for dry winters.”
Customization: The in-store experience wins hearts; a Rochester, NY, fan loved crafting a “Lavender-Narcissist blend” in 2024.
Scent Variety: Over 30 options cater to all tastes—Blackberry Sage and Citrus Sunrise are fan favorites per X posts.
Service: Staff are “friendly and knowledgeable,” per a Shelby County Reporter piece on Alabaster’s opening.

Critiques

Price: Bars ($8-$10) and laundry soap ($20+) feel steep to some, though loyalists argue the quality justifies it.
Availability: Popular scents sell out fast, especially during holiday rushes like Black Friday 2024 (KWQC report).
Store Closures: The NuLu shutdown disappointed locals, hinting at occasional franchise instability.

Overall, Buff City’s plant-based ethos and hands-on vibe outweigh minor gripes for most.

Why Choose Buff City Soap?

Buff City Soap stands out for:

Natural Ingredients: No harsh chemicals or animal fats—ideal for sensitive skin.
Transparency: Watch your soap being made, fostering trust.
Eco-Friendly: Solid shampoos and minimal packaging appeal to green shoppers.
Community Focus: Local franchisees often host events, like the Henrietta store’s 2022 opening (Rochester Business Journal).

Compared to rivals like Lush (pricier, broader range) or Bath & Body Works (synthetic-heavy), Buff City strikes a unique artisanal-natural balance.

How to Shop Buff City Soap

In-Store: Visit a Soap Makery for the full experience—check buffcitysoap.com for hours (typically 10 AM–7 PM).
Online: Order via the website or app (iOS/Android) with shipping nationwide; free over $50 as of 2025 promos.
Gift Cards: Available online or in-store, perfect for gifting.

Pro tip: Black Friday deals (November 29–December 1, 2024) offered up to 30% off, per KWQC—watch for 2025 repeats.

The Future of Buff City Soap

With General Atlantic’s backing and a franchise model, Buff City aims for 300+ stores by 2026, per 2024 franchise documents (FDD Exchange). New product lines—like pet soaps teased on X in early 2025—could broaden its appeal. Challenges include maintaining quality across franchises and navigating economic pressures, but its loyal base and innovative spirit bode well.

Conclusion

Buff City Soap is more than a soap shop—it’s a movement toward cleaner, customizable personal care. As of March 19, 2025, its 272 locations, plant-based ethos, and hands-on Makery experience make it a standout in the $20 billion U.S. bath and body market. From its humble Tennessee roots to a nationwide franchise, Buff City Soap blends nostalgia with modernity, offering scents and products that delight the senses and nourish the skin. Whether you’re drawn by the hype of its laundry soap launch or the charm of crafting your own bar, this brand delivers. Visit a store, snag a bath bomb, or explore online—Buff City Soap is your ticket to a fresher, greener routine in 2025 and beyond.