Franchisor Stories
The co-founders of Wize Computing Academy share how they navigate the challenges and opportunities of scaling their technology education franchise.
In a recent episode of The Franchisor Hot Seat podcast, Vishal and Venus Bhasin, co-founders of Wize Computing Academy, shared their journey of building an international franchise dedicated to technology education for children. Hosted by Nick Powills, founder and publisher of 1851 Franchise, the interview delved into the origins of the business, the challenges of franchising and the couple’s vision for the future.
The Bhasins founded Wize Computing Academy nearly a decade ago to address a critical gap in technology education for young learners. Initially focused on their local community, the couple’s passion for scaling and making a greater impact eventually led them to explore franchising. Today, Wize Computing Academy has 32 locations across the U.S. and Canada, with plans for continued growth.
The couple’s decision to franchise was driven by a desire to work with like-minded individuals who shared their passion for empowering students to become creators of technology. The franchise model enabled Wize Computing Academy to maintain flexibility, reinvest profits and grow organically while fostering a network of committed franchisees.
Below is the full transcript of the interview, edited for clarity and flow.
Nick Powills: What’s up everybody? Wize Computing Academy hits the Hot Seat coming up next. I have the pleasure of having two guests on today. Usually, the question is quite simple, but it might be more complex today. Whoever wants to go first, you guys decide who’s going to take the lead. The question is this, and then we go unscripted: How did you accidentally fall into franchising? What’s your franchise backstory?
Venus Bhasin: Hi, Nick. Thank you for having us here. My name is Venus. I’m the co-founder of Wize Computing Academy. I come from a technology background and became an ed-tech instructor and co-founder of the curriculum. This is something I’m passionate about, and I’m so excited to be here today.
Vishal Bhasin: My name is Vishal, and Venus and I are husband and wife. We started Wize Computing Academy, and it’s going to be 10 years in January — so in just a month. To answer your question, Nick, about how we got into franchising, about five years into our company, we knew we wanted to scale. Coming from a tech background, we’d built enterprise-grade applications used by millions of users, so scalability was always on our minds.
Once we established our brand and processes with our company-owned unit in Dallas and the surrounding areas, we started exploring ways to grow. We considered company-owned expansion and licensing but ultimately chose franchising. Why? First, it allowed us to stay nimble and reinvest the money we made back into the business to grow organically. Second, franchisees — I’d argue — are more motivated than managers. They’re invested in the network and want to succeed. That’s proven true for us.
We didn’t know much about franchising when we started, but since then, we’ve learned a lot. The franchising community is small, and people get to know each other. We’re happy we picked this path because it’s allowed us to scale effectively. We’re now franchising in the U.S. and Canada, and are open to international opportunities as well.
Venus: Just to add to what Vishal said, we were also looking for like-minded people who shared our passion for bringing technology education to learners. We’ve been fortunate to find franchisees who feel like an extended family and are equally committed to our mission.
Powills: How many franchises do you currently have in total?
Vishal: We have 32 locations. One is our corporate unit and the others are franchise locations. Six are in Canada and the rest are spread across the U.S.
Powills: Go back to the decision to franchise the business. Part of the challenge in franchising is the “McDonald’s jealousy factor” — brands think they’ll grow huge overnight. Some brands do get out of the gate strong, but slow and steady often wins the race. Where did you think you’d be at this point? Bigger? Smaller? How does it align with your expectations?
Vishal: That’s a good question. I’d say we’re about where we expected — within 20%, give or take. Initially, we didn’t know how to find franchisees, so our first ones were parents, teachers and people within our network. Over time, we started working with franchise broker networks like IFPG [International Franchise Professionals Group] and FBA [Franchise Brokers Association], which helped us expand. We also tried different strategies, like roadshows, networking and organic SEO. Now, our strategy is a mix of online and in-person efforts, broker partnerships and word of mouth.
Our goal is to add 10-15 franchises per year. We’ve done that consistently and want to accelerate, but we’re cautious about finding the right people. We’re not fans of selling multi-packs; we prefer to grow with franchisees who believe in our mission and want to give back to the community.
Powills: Is there anything you wish you’d known before franchising?
Vishal: I wish we’d understood franchise recruitment better. Finding the right people is hard; it’s a life decision for them. Networking earlier and learning about the process would’ve helped. It took us a year or two to figure out our model. We’re always experimenting and doubling down on what works, like broker networks and organic growth.
Powills: What’s your unique value proposition for customers and franchisees?
Venus: For customers, it’s about bringing technology education to kids early. As a mother, I see how important it is for children to learn these skills in elementary school. For franchisees, our model is flexible and low-cost, allowing them to achieve a great work-life balance.
Vishal: We teach Pre-K to 12th-grade students how to design, build and code, turning them into creators of technology. We’re not brick-and-mortar; we partner with schools and community centers, making it convenient and affordable for families. Franchisees get territories with up to 250,000 residents, offering plenty of room for growth. Our goal is to create a frictionless experience for both students and franchisees.
Powills: What’s your vision for 2025?
Vishal: We’re aiming for 50 franchise units by 2025. Long-term, we want to be a global platform that makes technology education accessible to all children. Expanding internationally and reaching more students is key to our mission.
Venus: Technology education is as essential as math and reading. We’re committed to ensuring every child has access to these critical skills.
Powills: Why is now the right time to invest in Wize Computing Academy?
Venus: The demand for technology education is growing. With a low initial investment of $38,500, franchisees can quickly see returns while making a meaningful impact.
Vishal: We’ve built something sustainable. Franchisees are not just business owners; they’re part of a larger mission. If you’re looking to grow a profitable business while giving back, Wize Computing Academy is the right choice.
Watch the full podcast interview above or on YouTube.
For more interviews with those influencing the franchise industry, check out these stories on 1851 Franchise:
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