How Sylvan Learning Allows its Franchisees to Launch Quickly with a Satellite Location as They Build Their Brick-and-Mortar Center

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of personalized education for K–12 students, allows franchisees to start with a satellite location while their actual storefront is under construction. 

These locations can be opened in spaces such as schools, rec centers, libraries and churches. Many new franchisees are opting to take this approach, said Sylvan’s chief franchise operations officer Susan Valverde. 

Satellite Locations Help Build Awareness

While building their brick-and-mortar location, satellites give franchisees a unique opportunity to start quickly raising brand awareness in the meantime. Valverde recalled the case of a franchisee in California who started virtually and eventually opened a satellite location before her successful grand opening. 

“I think from a business perspective, their business is thriving because they had a running start. When you open a brand new business, you unlock the door on the first day; you're starting at zero. In their case, they opened the door with pretty much half of the center filled.”

Meanwhile, multi-unit Sylvan Learning franchisee Todd Crabtree, who opened a satellite before opening his doors in Los Angeles, noted that a satellite location allows franchisees to get up and running, market and deliver services in their territory. 

“When I acquired the territory, it allowed us to get the territory active and start marketing into that territory for the time being until we could find a location to develop and do our grand opening.”

Opening a satellite location also allows franchisees to get started faster and for cheaper. Crabtree added that it can easily take up to eight months to open a traditional space, while it only takes a few weeks to find a vacant space that can be temporarily occupied. 

Crabtree was able to get his temporary location up and running in about three weeks. Here, he was able to start doing contract work, and by the time he opened his official brick-and-mortar space, he already had 50 kids enrolled and was past breakeven. 

“Because I started with a satellite, instead of paying $6,000 a month, I was only paying $2,500 a month,” he said. “It saves you money and allows you to operate with some wind in your back.”

The Importance of Brick-and-Mortar

Although Sylvan encourages its franchisees to run a satellite while building their center, brick-and-mortar locations are so important to the brand because of the positive environment parents and children get to experience. 

“When you walk into a Sylvan center, there's just this palpable positive energy in the room. There are lots of kids learning, it's a risk-free environment, you're not there for grades or because it's state-mandated — you're there for learning,” said Valverde. “There is something really important about feeling that in person.”

At Sylvan, brand experiences are very personal, and learning plans are customized for every child. Valverde noted that parents and children getting to know the people who work for them builds brand strength. 

Valverde also noted that when teaching young students topics such as reading, writing and other skills of that nature, being in the center is essentially irreplaceable. This is something Sylvan Learning franchisee Bianca Coker, who opened a Sylvan Learning in a brand new Los Angeles territory last year, can attest to. 

“Because of those learning interruptions during the pandemic, students needed face-to-face to fill those gaps,” said Coker. “Especially with the little guys, we're just making up tremendous year gaps that have never been seen before. Kids can’t write… they’re starting at the bottom.”

After starting in 2021, Coker has even moved into a bigger brick-and-mortar space right in the heart of a busy retail environment. She saw a handful of walk-ins, assessments and sign-ups in her first week alone. 

“I love that we have so many options, both brick-and-mortar and satellites. Ultimately, we are trying to meet the families wherever they are and provide our franchisees with ample opportunities to make a difference in their communities,” said Valverde. 

Learn more at www.SylvanFranchise.com.