Development incentives prove encouraging

Best in Class Education Center has placed a high emphasis on franchise incentives and support for potential operators, and its latest initiative is the Teacher Incentive to attract educators uniquely qualified to put their training to work while also learning how to be business owners. The Teacher Incentive is the latest program to be added to the supplemental-education brand’s FDD, but Best in Class also offers a similar incentive for military veterans, and this year it completed the steps to be included on the official Franchise Registry of the U.S. Small Business Administration, which allows the brand to offer an expedited loan process through the SBA. In order to continue to grow the brand and attract franchisees that fit the mold of civic-minded operators passionate about education, Best in Class developed the “3-3-3” incentive for teachers or educators interested in becoming entrepreneurs. The incentive discounts $3,000 off the franchise fee for the first three centers the teacher opens and also waives the franchise royalty fee for the first three months of each center’s opening. Sharon Peterson, director of franchise sales for Best in Class, said the incentive offers teachers an opportunity to jump-start their businesses by making additional funds available for things like hiring, local marketing or supplies. “Teachers and educators can rely on our strong brand foundation and proven business structure for long-term success in franchising,” she said. “Best in Class is a family of passionate franchisees, and we continue to seek dedicated individuals to be part of a brand that is fulfilling and continues to make a positive impact in communities. We really look forward to be able to offer strong incentives like the Teacher Incentive in the process.” To qualify for the incentive, potential partners must be state-certified teachers, licensed child care professionals, college educators, or educators employed through accredited K-12 institutions. Having just launched the Teacher Incentive in October, Best in Class has already signed two new franchisees who have been able to take advantage of this incentive, the first being Kelly Chen in San Francisco, who holds a degree in childhood development as well as an associate teacher permit in the state of California. “With four children of my own, as well as my education in teaching, I have a huge passion for working with children and helping them learn and continue to grow,” Chen said. “On top of my experience working with kids, I’ve worked for many years as an accountant. For me I have the best of both worlds; I have the financial expertise to make sure things run smoothly from a business perspective, and I also have the expertise in education to help ensure that I am hiring qualified and dedicated teaching staff for my center. Together, we will be able to uphold the standards that the Best in Class brand and I have.” Having been implemented less than a month before the first franchisee came on board and took advantage of the incentive, the brand leadership is confident this incentive will help to achieve two goals: helping potential franchisees make their investment decision and attracting partners with the qualities the brand considers ideal for growing Best in Class. Chen completed extensive research on possible franchise opportunities and was immediately impressed with the Best in Class brand’s curriculum, methods and reviews she’d found from parents and franchisees. But the Teacher Incentive certainly was a part of her deciding factor to join the brand, she said. “It was not the only deciding factor, but it definitely helped,” she said. “I was lucky to be considering joining the brand this year because they just launched the Teacher Incentive and I qualify, so it just helped me to solidify that this was the perfect time to make this decision.”