LearningRx vs Ducklings Early Learning Centers Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of LearningRx vs Ducklings Early Learning Centers including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$90,000 - $149,000 | $478,600 - $3,668,400 |
Franchise Fee |
$25,000 | $65,000 |
Royalty Fee |
7% -8% | 6% |
Advertising Fee |
3% | 1% |
Year Founded |
1986 | 1994 |
Year Franchised |
2003 | 2016 |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | - |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | - |
Renewal Fee |
$5K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
- | While experience is always a plus, you don't need to previously have been a teacher or to have worked in a teaching environment to start a Ducklings franchise. A college degree is recommended, but not required. Owners of our locations have an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for impacting the lives of the children. Our franchise owners also like to have fun at work. |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/No | -/- |
Start-up Costs |
No/No | -/- |
Equipment |
No/No | -/- |
Inventory |
No/No | -/- |
Receivables |
No/No | -/- |
Payroll |
No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
US Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
Yes | - |
International Expansion |
No | No |
Company Overviews
About LearningRx
In the 1980's, brothers Dr. Ken Gibson and Dr. Keith Gibson--
a specialist in visual processing and a clinical psychologist,
respectively-- sought a way to help people with learning difficulties to
learn more quickly and easily. They developed a series of short,
intense training exercises to improve concentration and recall
abilities. Once this method proved successful in trials, they continued
to test and enhance the program with input from other specialists in
education, medicine and psychology, in order to help students with
attention problems, dyxlexia, memory problems and other learning
disabilities to improve their cognitive skills.
Dr. Ken Gibson began franchising under the name LearningRx in 2003, and
is currently the company's CEO.
Veteran Incentives 10% off franchise fee
Part of the Entrepreneur Franchise 500® 7 years in a row!
About Ducklings Early Learning Centers
Since 1994, Ducklings has designed, built, and opened schools;
purchased, moved, and closed schools all the while learning lessons and
laying the groundwork for the big things to come. Many of our teachers
have been with us for 15 years or more- each of them helping to shape
Ducklings core values of collaboration, creation, and celebration
through professional integrity and deep respect for children and
families.
For decades, Ducklings has been a leader in educational
childcare and now, through franchise opportunities, is bringing the
Ducklings brand to families across the country.