Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of LearningRx vs Ivybrook Academy including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$90,000 - $149,000 | $310,700 - $440,200 |
Franchise Fee |
$25,000 | $50,000 |
Royalty Fee |
7% -8% | 6% |
Advertising Fee |
3% | 1% |
Year Founded |
1986 | 2007 |
Year Franchised |
2003 | 2016 |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | - |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | - |
Renewal Fee |
$5K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
- | Compassionate and caring, ready to help our students learn
Able to work with both students and their parents – both our “customers”
Motivated to build a team and student enrollment
Accepts and embodies the Ivybrook Academy mission
|
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/No | -/Yes |
Start-up Costs |
No/No | -/Yes |
Equipment |
No/No | -/Yes |
Inventory |
No/No | -/Yes |
Receivables |
No/No | -/Yes |
Payroll |
No/No | -/Yes |
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. | We provide over 120 hours in person for you to get up and running before you even open and it doesn’t stop there. Here is a list of how we are DETERMINED to set you up for SUCCESS:
Before Opening - 2 weeks of training both at our corporate location and at your school’s location
Opening Month- Our team will be with you the entire week prior to opening as well as your first week of operation.
After Opening- Regular visits, calls and open lines of communication are important for everyone’s success!
On-The-Job Training: 46 hours
Classroom Training: 66 hours |
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 | Purchasing Co-ops
Meetings/Conventions
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
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 | National Media
Social media
SEO
Website development
Email marketing
|
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)
| Number of Employees Required to Run: 15 |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
Yes | - |
International Expansion |
No | - |
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
Ivybrook Academy was created by a public school teacher who was
looking to balance quality of life with owning a business. As a highly
involved mom of two very young children, she sought a means of achieving
financial freedom that would also allow her more time with her kids.
Enter the Ivybrook Academy model.
- Steady daytime hours of operation - 8:15 to 4:30
- No transportation/busing of children
- No lunches served
- Professional teachers with 4-year teaching degrees
- Progressive blended curriculum based on Reggio Emilia and Montessori methods
- The facility is closed approximately 32 work days per year
- When summer hours are involved, the facility closes by noon
We will assist you every step of the way on your journey
through the franchising process. From helping you find the right
location, developing the building plans, and going through construction
to ordering your equipment and furniture, hiring staff, training and
more, we will offer the support you need and deserve.
As part of the
Ivybrook Academy franchise family, we’ll help you through developing,
running, and owning your own Ivybrook Academy!