l Regis Corp., Minneapolis, MN, a $2.3 billion company, has become the world’s largest hair salon operator and franchiser in recent years due to a furious round of acquisitions, according to experts. Regis owns some 9000 salons in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, UK, Europe and Brazil and brand names such as First Choice, Magicuts, Trade Secret and Mastercuts. Annual profit has doubled since 1998 to reach $70 million in 2002. Last year, the company purchased Vidal Sassoon and is currently eyeing b...