KidzArt vs Bridge International Academies Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of KidzArt vs Bridge International Academies including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Company Overviews

About KidzArt

Shell Herman began developing the concept of KidzArt in 1993, hoping to bringing art programming to kids of all ages after discovering there were no national art enrichment programs available for children. As an "older" mom, Shell was concerned that many schools throughout the country were eliminating the arts and wanted to pave the way by engaging her entrepreneurial spirit, for her young son and for others. As a professional career counselor of 15 years, she also saw the need for artistic individuals to work in an environment that could support their interests and skills and allow them to earn a good living while nourishing their creative spirit. She also wanted children to have the opportunity to experience a confidence-building program that encourages creativity. In 1998, Shell teamed with childhood friend and exhibiting Master Artist, Chris Cruikshank to develop the KidzArt drawing-based fine arts program. Chris' sucessful drawing program was incorporated and KidzArt was franchised in July 2002. KidzArt is a drawing-based fine arts program offering classes, programs, workshops and a variety of creativity-oriented educational programs. KidzArt serves ages 3 1/2 to Senior Citizens (SeniorzArt).

Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee

About Bridge International Academies

Bridge International Academies was born out of a conversation Jay Kimmelman, Shannon May, and Phil Frei shared in 2007. Passionate advocates for education and issues related to global poverty, our three cofounders wondered why no one was thinking about schools in developing countries the way Starbucks thought about coffee. Why hadn't anyone tried to tackle education for the bottom of the pyramid by building a large-scale chain of low-cost, high-quality schools? Costs could remain low due to scale. Quality would be ensured due to standardization. Monetizing the institution would guarantee sustainability and, importantly, place the parents in control. Our trio decided to be the first to try. Bringing with them Jay's experience founding Edusoft (an education software company in the USA), Shannon's background in education, international development, and sustainable design, and Phil's history of developing award-winning educational toys (some licensed by LEGO!), they developed the Academy-in-a-Box model that continues to guide the company today. In January 2009, the first Bridge International Academy opened in the Mukuru slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Today there are hundreds of academies with more launching every term. Expansion plans are in place on a global level with a mission of reaching 10,000,000 children.