Sylvan Learning Centers vs Reading Friends Franchise Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Sylvan Learning Centers vs Reading Friends Franchise Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sylvan Learning Centers Franchise
Reading Friends Franchise Company Franchise
Investment $70,270 - $163,625$110,950 - $297,500
Franchise Fee $24,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 16%5.5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19791980
Year Franchised 19802002
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee $1K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Sylvan Learning Centers Franchise
Reading Friends Franchise Company Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Education background preferred but not required
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Sylvan Learning Centers Franchise
    Reading Friends Franchise Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Sylvan Learning Centers Franchise
    Reading Friends Franchise Company Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsGrand opening, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National mediaCo-op advertising, Ad slicks
    Operations 41% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Sylvan Learning Centers Franchise
    Reading Friends Franchise Company Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Sylvan Learning Centers

    Based in Baltimore, Sylvan Learning Centers was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1979 to provide personalized instructional services to students of all ages and skill levels. Sylvan has been franchising since 1980 and has learning centers in North America and Asia.

    *Royalty includes monthly royalty; national advertising; mandatory assessment fees; SylvanSync server, support, and ongoing educational program updates; initial franchisee training; online staffing training.

    For more information, see our Franchise Disclosure Document.

    "Top
    #123 in Canada's Top franchises.
    #252 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About Reading Friends Franchise Company

    Ours started as a story of overcoming. Owner and founder, Nancy Spencer, was the first person in the city of Fort Worth to be diagnosed with dyslexia after many years of struggling in school. With the proper training, she was able to thrive academically and gained a passion for children and the way that they learn. With the help of Dr. Luke Waites, Gladys Kolenovsky and a team from Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, TX, Nancy wrote a full curriculum and started Reading Friends preschool in 1980. The school is now run by her two daughters, Audrey Fowler and Nancy Pack. There are two additional locations. One located in Keller, run by Marsha Wesley. One located in Aledo, run by Diane Taylor.
     
    The Reading Friends Difference

    Reading Friends has the right curriculum, the right commitment, and is the right place. Let us focus on your child.

    The Reading Friends preschool is dedicated to providing the young child a foundation for educational excellence.
    The secret to a well-rounded child is a well-rounded approach to teaching

    Curriculum

    We employ Multi-sensory teaching techniques involving the total child.

    Our Phonics Advantage curriculum is a language-based program that is the heart of our proprietary curricula.

    Children receive structured academic experiences that produce a firm foundation in reading, math, social studies, and science.

    Social

    The Reading Friends program is designed to provide successful opportunities for all students. Children have daily outside free play and snack where they experiment with social interaction and cooperation.