Wichita Waterfront franchise is heading to Derby

Nine years after opening at the Waterfront, the franchisees who own European Wax Center are branching out with a new store in Derby.

“We feel like Derby’s going to be a super market for us,” said David Petty, manager and franchisee.

“It’s growing like crazy. . . . It’s the perfect timing.”

The business is opening in the center at 2901 N. Rock Road, which is in front of Field Station: Dinosaurs.

That’s also where a Firehouse Subs is, and Petty said the owner of the restaurant also owns the center.

“It’ll be nice to work with a local landlord.”

A separate franchisee has the European Wax Center at NewMarket Square, at 21st and Maize Road.

Petty’s group has four more European Wax Centers in Kansas City.

Nationally, there are more than 1,000 of the franchises.

“We offer waxing from head to toe,” Petty said. “The thing that sets us apart is definitely our wax.”

He said it comes from France and is part of a four-step process the centers use “that just makes it a lot more comfortable.”

The chain serves men and women and offers a complimentary wax for first-time guests.

“What’s cool is most of our products can’t be found anywhere else,” Petty said.

He said that includes a lot of innovative products, such as ones that make waxing last longer. There also are body washes, lotion and deodorant.

“All of our products are PETA approved.”

A preview week starts Oct. 9. To sign up for free waxing that week, register at waxcenter.com.

The grand opening will be Oct. 16.

Petty said the store’s reach will include Mulvane and surrounding communities as well as McConnell Air Force Base.

“We really plan on doing a lot of partnership with McConnell,” he said of sponsorships for family activities, which the business already has started.

Petty said the idea is “to be part of that community . . . with McConnell and Derby.”

This story was originally published September 25, 2023 at 1:22 PM.