How To Become a Sylvan Learning Franchisee

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of personalized supplemental and enrichment education for students in grades K-12, continues to expand its footprint in 2022 by opening, on average, a new center every other week throughout the year. The brand attracts investors into its franchise model not only because of its mission to help students excel but also because of its seamless onboarding process and the ongoing support it provides to franchisees.

Courtney Wells, Sylvan Learning's franchise development manager, explains that the process of becoming a franchisee begins with a conversation with herself or someone else on the franchise development team. Once the prospective franchisee has thoroughly researched their market and completed their own research on the brand, the franchise development team is there to answer any questions and explain the Sylvan mission and process.

“My intention is mainly to understand what brought them to the Sylvan brand, the goals they have for themselves and the vision that they have for the franchise — and if those things align with Sylvan’s best practices”

Wells noted that during the initial phone call and throughout the due diligence period she also gauges whether there is market availability for where the prospective franchisee wants to operate a Sylvan location. This is also the stage where the potential franchisee asks as many questions as they wish to learn more about the brand in order to determine if the franchise is a match.

El Campo, Texas-based franchisee Jenny Nelson opened her location in September 2021 and described this initial due diligence process as very helpful to the ultimate success of her location.

Nelson, who had been in education for 21 years, conducted initial research on her own over the years before deciding to reach out to Sylvan. She received a call and began developing a connection with the brand and considering possible locations. That ongoing connection paid off when her choice territory of El Campo became available in 2021, and she moved forward as a franchisee.

Once she was in, Nelson said that even though she didn’t previously have a strong business mindset, Sylvan guided her every step of the way into opening a successful location.

“Sylvan identified that I had the passion for teaching, and for anything else I need help with, I have their support and model to guide me,” said Nelson.

After the due diligence period, potential franchisees are provided with detailed information about Sylvan in the franchise disclosure document, as well as other accompanying information about the brand’s operations. Once the potential franchisee has had a chance to review the documents, Wells and the team address any questions they may have. The franchise development team then reviews the potential franchisee’s financials to ensure they are qualified to open a new business, and they arrange for them to attend a Discovery Day, which happens once a month.

“That's where things get exciting,” said Wells. “Discovery Day is an opportunity for a franchisee to meet with our executive team as they talk through the products and services that they’ll be able to deliver in the new center, as well as the operational training, technical support and marketing resources that they’ll have access to once they join the Sylvan family.”

Wells stressed that after Discovery Day, the conversations don't stop: The potential franchisee will have conversations with existing franchisees to learn their tips and tricks and gain confidence in the franchise partnership that they’re about to enter.

Once the potential franchisee has had their conversations with existing owners, the executive team begins working on putting that candidate’s unique business plan together.

"Our executive team wants to get to know the new franchisee and takes into consideration all that candidate’s thoughts, goals and aspirations for their location,” stated Wells.

After the executive team has met, the prospective franchisee hears back from the approval team within 24 hours. From there, the new franchisee is able to close in as little as a week after being approved with the brand’s quick and easy DocuSign licensing process.

A Sylvan franchisee’s support doesn’t end with a location’s opening; the franchisor provides guidance and mentorship throughout the lifetime of a center. Wells noted that the best way for franchisees to be able to thrive in their market is to work with its franchise business consultants. Sylvan’s team of business consultants have over 100 years of combined experience with the brand and are able to guide the franchisees through all aspects of the business.

“From the franchisee’s initial research and throughout their lifetime with the brand, we are all a team on a mission to better the education of children,” said Wells. “We will always support our franchisees so they can provide the best supplemental education resources possible.”

Learn more at www.sylvanfranchise.com.