Growth Club
1851 Growth Club
Education Franchises to Watch in 2017
Here are the top 25 education franchises to keep an eye on in 2017.
The education industry is one of the biggest industries in the world, on its way to becoming a $1 trillion industry, with no signs of slowing down. Now is the prime time to get into education because according to Sasha Shultz, Chief Product Officer of Sylvan Learning*, a lot of change is happening and it’s all pointing towards technology.
“Education is the largest segment of the economy, and it’s changing rapidly. A lot is happening in the classroom and out of the classroom at home. A lot of work is being done to figure out the digital side of things to improve education in the classroom and at home,” Shultz said.
Traditional education is being replaced by the cell phone in your pocket. Shultz is a mother and sees what is happening in the mobile world with her own kids.
“Parents are interested in their kids and what they are doing online. The gamified education space is huge right now. That is the future along with personalized education. There is an unbelievable amount of investment activity in this space right now,” Schultz added.
Technology is a tool for education, not the end game. Instruction is still absolutely critical, but it’s clear that technology and education in the home is where the future lies.
We’ve put together our list of 25 brands in education that are poised for huge growth in 2017:
Units: 34
Investment Range: $61,000 - $99,000
Best in Class is a franchise with a top-of- the-line education enrichment program. The brand offers both supplemental and remedial core education in subjects like math and English. In the first half of 2016, Best in Class signed 11 deals for new franchise units. The brand is expected to close out the year with 12 more positioning Best in Class to meet or exceed the goal of 20 agreements by year-end. These strategic growth efforts have earned Best in Class a coveted spot on this year’s Inc. 5000 list.
Units: 620
Investment Range: $70,000-$159,000
Sylvan Learning has more than 750 locations and is the nation’s leader in supplemental education and personal learning for students in grades K-12. Sylvan is constantly reinventing the brand’s model to ensure the company has the best educational programs, the best business model, are the leaders in the market, and are a growing franchise brand. Sylvan also recently increased the new franchisee goal to 30 a year. In 2016, close to 50 have been signed.
Units: 25,841
Investment Range: $69,000-$140,000
Kumon Math & Reading Centers is a structured learning program that gives children critical thinking skills and the mindset to learn new materials independently. Kumon is the world’s largest after-school math and reading enrichment program with more than 300,000 students enrolled. There are around 1,500 U.S. franchises and 24,000 outside of the U.S. In 2016, Entrepreneur ranked Kumon as the #1 Tutoring Service Franchise, #15 Top Global Franchise, and #40 on their Franchise 500 list.
Units: 1,359
Investment Range: $68,000-$135,000.
Eye Level Learning is a global leader in supplemental education and enrichment programs. The brand offers an innovative and effective teaching method with self-directed learning and individualized coaching at the core. Eye Level offers franchise opportunities in 22 countries and has served more than 22 million children. Right now, the brand has more than 200 U.S. franchises and close to 400 outside of the U.S. Just four years ago, there were only 157 U.S. units.
Units: 476
Investment Range: $62,000-$100,000,
Tutor Doctor is revolutionizing the tutoring industry by utilizing a one-to-one tutoring approach for students from kindergarten to college in the comfort of their own homes. The company’s vision is to positively impact students and their families worldwide. Tutor Doctor’s vision is coming true with the brand’s presence in 15 countries and more than 470 franchises worldwide. In 2015, Tutor Doctor was named the No. 1 In-Home Tutoring Franchise by Entrepreneur.
Units: 749
Investment Range: $90,000-$137,000
Mathnasium is a neighborhood math-only learning center that teaches kids math in a way that makes sense to them. The brand has transformed the way children understand and appreciate math, whether they’re ahead of the curve, performing at grade level, or falling behind. Each student also gets a customized learning plan that is designed to address their needs. Mathnasium has become one of the fastest-growing educational franchises, and right now, there are more than 700 locations with 658 in the U.S with an average of two opening per week.
Units: 283
Investment Range: $96,000-$200,000,
Huntington Learning Centers is a chain of educational service centers in the U.S. It is the oldest provider of supplemental educational services for primary and secondary students. Huntington has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1996. There are around 250 franchises in the U.S. with 35 owned by the company. Even though Huntington has fewer units than the competitors, the brand has longevity as the oldest national provider of supplemental education services for the K-12 market.
Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services
Units: 388
Investment Range: $33,000-57,000.
Club Z! offers one-on-one in home tutoring services including ACT and SAT prep, foreign languages, computers, and music. These programs are designed to eliminate the competitive atmosphere associated with traditional classrooms. Since beginning franchising in 1998, Club Z! has grown to around 400 franchises in the U.S, and the brand has made Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 Franchise List the last 9 years in a row.
Units: 183
Investment Range: $113,000-340,000.
School of Rock is a performance-based music school offering guitar, drum, piano, bass and vocal lessons. It combines weekly private music lessons and group band rehearsals. The brand is an extremely fast growing franchise with just having 63 franchises four years ago to having more than 145 today. School of Rock has been named in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 multiple years and were recently in Entrepreneur as “Franchise of the Day.”
Units: 323
Investment Range: $157,000-377,000.
The Little Gym is a children’s gym that offers activities for kids including parent/child classes, kids dance, gymnastics, sports skills and karate. Currently, The Little Gym has more than 300 franchises worldwide. The Little Gym was recently named Best Fitness Franchise by FranchiseRankings.com, was ranked in Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchises and Top Global Franchises as well as Franchise Business Review’s Top 200 Franchises Best of the Best and more.
Units: 222
Investment Range: $37,000-80,000.
Abrakadoodle was founded in 2002 and has delivered the best in visual arts classes for kids, summer art camps, holiday art camps, art parties and art events. It serves more than one million children in schools, community sites and Abrakadoodle art studios for kids around the world. Abrakadoodle is rapidly expanding and has grown more than 50 percent since 2013 with 42 U.S. franchises and 178 outside of the U.S.
Units: 95
Investment Range: $39,000-52,000.
Amazing Athletes provides a year-round, structured curriculum that introduces children to nine different ball sports and helps them master seven key areas of motor-development. Through this program, children can learn to identify different muscles and the purpose of vitamins and minerals in fruits and veggies. Amazing Athletes has seen steady growth since the beginning and currently has 95 U.S. franchises. The brand has also received a steady amount of awards and have been named in Entrepreneur’s Top 500 list 7 years in a row.
Units: 103
Investment Range: $41,000-48,000
Young Rembrandts is a recognized leader in art education. The brand uses a step-by-step drawing method that uses a one of a kind, innovative art curriculum developed by a team of educators and artists. Educational children’s art classes, lessons and drawing programs are offered to children ages 3 ½ to 12 years old. Young Rembrandts services more than 30,000 kids a week across the U.S. and Canada. The brand is consistently ranked in Entrepreneur 500 and is growing at a consistent rate with close to 90 U.S. franchises and 14 outside of the U.S.
Units: 661
Investment Range: $34,000-52,000.
Bricks 4 Kidz offers fun, hands-on programs where children can learn and play with LEGO Bricks. Created by engineers and architects, children experience the hands-on fun of model-building from concept to completion. They are also taught the fundamentals of S.T.E.M and activities that engage their curiosity and creativity. There are currently around 500 locations in the U.S. and 163 outside of the U.S. Bricks 4 Kidz is an extremely fast growing company and was recently ranked #79 in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list.
Units: 158
Investment Range: $422,000-$3,000,000
Kiddie Academy has been a leader in education-based child care for more than 30 years. The Academy offers full-time care, before and after-school programs and summer camps. Each includes a curriculum, programs, methods and activities to help prepare children for life. There are more than 157 U.S. locations in 24 states. Approximately 60 additional academies are in development.
Units: 325
Investment Range: $677,000-$5,700,000
Currently ranked #135 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, Primrose is a national system of accredited private preschools that provide a premier early education and child care experience for children and families. There are currently more than 300 schools across the U.S., up from 299 in 2015. Primrose was recently named the third best franchise to buy greater than $500,000 by Forbes.
Units: 450
Investment Range: $610,000-$725,000
The Goddard school is an early childhood preschool program used to promote children’s social and academic success in a private childcare setting. Headquartered in Pennsylvania, The Goddard School has more than 450 franchises and more than 50,000 students in 36 states. The brand was recently named #1 Childcare Franchise in the U.S. by Entrepreneur for the fifteenth consecutive year and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems by Franchise Times for the tenth consecutive year. By 2020, The Goddard School hopes to develop 150 new schools.
Units: 23
Investment Range: $500,000-$680,000
Lightbridge Academy is an early childhood education daycare and development center. The brand offers a curriculum for every stage of your child’s development from infancy to kindergarten. Lightbridge also offers summer camps for children older than kindergarten. Since launching franchise opportunities in 2011, the brand has grown from a single location in New Jersey to more than 80 child care centers which are open or under development throughout Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Plans are now to grow to nearly 100 locations or more in 2017.
Units: 153
Investment Range: $27,000-$93,000
Engineering For Kids brings science, technology, engineering and math to kids aged 4 to 14 through classes, camps, clubs and parties. The brand began franchising in 2011 as a way to spread the program across the country. Engineering For Kids currently offers more than 300 lessons in 19 different curricular enrichment classes with more than 140 franchises in 19 countries. Current plans are to open 25 new franchises each year.
Units: 46
Investment Range: $82,000-$127,000
British Swim School is a swim school that is dedicated to teaching water survival for 35 years. The brand’s specialty is teaching beginners of all age groups how to swim in a gradual, gentle and fun process. British Swim School started franchising in 2011 and has doubled in size since 2015. The brand also has increased the number of swim lessons per year from 280,000 to around 370,000. There are now nearly 45 franchises open in 14 states and one in Turkey. The brand hopes to grow the company by nearly 30 percent by signing 30 new franchises.
Units: 143
Investment Range: $495,000-$3,000,000
The Learning Experience is one of the nation’s fastest growing academies of early education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. A prominent focus is placed on programs that advance scholastic preparation and have three key educational and care principles: cognitive, physical, and social. In the past year, the brand has added 25 new franchises making the total 143 throughout the U.S.
Units: 259
Investment Range: $91,000-$108,000.
Entrepreneur Magazine identifies business coaching as one of the hottest trends in franchising. Sandler Training is the largest provider of sales, leadership, and customer service training in the world. It serves businesses of all sizes and offers continuous coaching, reinforcement and support for sales professionals. Sandler Training started franchising 33 years ago and the brand now have 250 franchises worldwide and is ranked the #1 training franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine.
Units: 93
Investment Range: $199,000-$286,000.
Romp n’ Roll offers a new approach to child development: the brand creates a whimsical wonderland of vivid colors and imaginative designs for early childhood classes, camps and parties. The brand is redefining the education space by bringing together education and entertainment. Romp n’ Roll currently has more than 95 locations in multiple countries.
Units: 95
Investment Range: $86,000-$127,000.
The Parisi Speed School is an athletically based training and education system being utilized by children and adults to enhance performance. More than 600,000 athletes of all ages have come through the doors, and by using proven techniques, the brand has produced more than 130 NFL draft picks and athletes who have competed in the NBA, MLB, NHL and more. There are more than 90 franchises in the U.S., and in 2016, Parisi Speed School added 5 outside of the U.S. The brand hopes to continue growing and expanding into other countries.
Units: 9
Investment Range: $38,000 - $53,000
Hobby Quest, established in 2013, is dedicated to providing quality, hands-on after school enrichment programs to help children develop new interests, hobbies and skills. Hobby Quest aims to develop budding creative designers, fashionistas, magicians, performers, artists and photographers with the brand’s hands-on educational programming. Having just recently launched franchising, within the first 8 months the brand sold 7 franchises and are continuing to grow. Hobby Quest currently offer hands-on educational programming to more than 300 schools throughout New York and New Jersey and help more than 4,000 children each school year.
*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.
