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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Mad Science Group vs LearningRx including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $74,050 - $110,459 | $90,000 - $149,000 |
Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Royalty Fee | 8% | 7% -8% |
Advertising Fee | - | 3% |
Year Founded | 1985 | 1986 |
Year Franchised | 1995 | 2003 |
Term Of Agreement | 25 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 25 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | - | $5K |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/No |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/No |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/No |
Inventory | No/No | No/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | As a brain training company, we value initial and ongoing training very highly. Our training includes a 2-day job shadowing with one of our franchisees prior to our 10-day training in Colorado Springs, CO. The 10-day franchise training covers our over 200 proprietary training procedures, marketing, public relations, business operations, networking, testing, administration, hiring, and much more. Our brain trainers are trained on-site by the franchisee, using over 40 hours of online material as well as 20-30 hours of in-person training and observation. We also offer ongoing training and support via our Helpdesk (phone and email support) and quarterly calls with our support team. |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations | We know that the success of our franchisees is our success. Valuable support is a top priority for us, and we strive to help our franchisees however possible. Our support team is led by a former franchisee and LearningRx parent, who understands the day-to- day running of a center firsthand. We also have a marketing and business coach, who will help our first-year franchisees create and implement their 12-month business plan and offer ongoing support of business operations. The support team also runs the helpdesk, which is available by phone and email and boasts a very fast turnaround. We provide a franchise operations system designed to support all of your business needs from site selection and build out to launch marketing and sales prospecting. We are continually introducing new Brain Balance programs, products and services to increase your sales opportunities. Through national media exposure, training and consulting by program creator and co-founder, Dr. Robert Melillo renowned researcher, lecturer and author of several best sellers including, Disconnected Kids, Reconnected Kids and his latest book, Autism |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Regional advertising | We offer new materials on a regular basis across multiple platforms: social media, print, TV, radio, PPC, SEO, etc. You can also join a voluntary marketing co-op where applicable. *National PR exposure *Exposure Across the Digital Landscape *Web-based Requisition System for Customized Marketing Materials *Local Marketing Guidance |
Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 30
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 3 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (67% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | Yes |
International Expansion | Yes | No |
As children, brothers Ariel and Ron Shlien loved to create crazy science experiments. As adults, they realized that kids like fun, cool science. So in 1985 they started Mad Science by hosting 'edu-taining' birthday parties featuring scienctific demonstrations.
Franchising began in 1995, with initial franchises in Florida and Toronto, and now has franchises worldwide offering educational demonstrations to preschools, in-class and afterschool programs, community centers and scout programs. The company also provides entertainment for birthday parties, special events, camps and more.