Idea Lab Kids vs MakerKids Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Idea Lab Kids vs MakerKids including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
Investment $60,200 - $281,000$152,750 - $399,000
Franchise Fee $35,500$30,000
Royalty Fee 11%-9%8%
Advertising Fee 1%3%
Year Founded 19902013
Year Franchised 20162018
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
Experience Skills and abilities that we look for in a successful Idea Lab Kids® business owner. Are you genuinely interested in S.T.E.A.M? Do you understand the role S.T.E.A.M plays in today’s economy and society? Are you active in your community and hungry to make a positive impact in young minds? Are you self-directed, self-motivated and able to juggle through multiple priorities? Do you have a strong desire to learn, grow and have fun in the process?- Passion for working with kids - Thirst for knowledge - Glass half full mindset (60% optimist, 40% realist) - An Excellent Credit History - Leadership Skills - A Desire to Succeed - A Desire to Make A Difference - No past bankruptcies - No past criminal record - Willing to get out there and make sales - Persistence - Desire to listen, share and be compliant - Being happy is more important to you than being right - Customer-oriented Wait, I don’t know how to teach STEM! - Don’t worry. If you don’t have a teaching background, you can still excel as a MakerKids franchisee. In fact, the backgrounds of our ideal franchisees vary greatly – from engineers and accountants to teachers and homemakers, and everything in between. MakerKids franchise training was designed to level the playing field. We teach you all that you need to know about running a business that deals with STEM instruction.

Financing Options

 
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs -/Yes-/-
Equipment -/Yes-/-
Inventory -/Yes-/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 50 hours Classroom Training: 30 hours - Five (5) days Training in Toronto, Canada - Five (5) days On-Site Training - Education/Curriculum: MakerKids® Lesson Plans Options for additional training*: - Internal Training with support and guidance from MK Training Team via Teleconferences, GoTo Meeting and Webinars - Additional Training available at MK HQ in Toronto, Canada - Additional On-Site Training available *Please inquire about additional training.
Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform - Advertising and Marketing: Initial supply of Presentation materials and Templates. - Usage of proprietary Operations Manual - Use of MakerKids® Name, Logo and Trademarks - Annual training and workshop - MakerKids new releases and new concepts
Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app - Use of MakerKids® Name, Logo and Trademarks - Presentation Material & Templates
Operations Our franchisee business partners will have the option of taking an active role in the business as the full-time General Manager or choose to hire a full-time Program Coordinator and serve as a consultant. Physical location is not required until 12-18 months in order to allow sufficient ramp up. -

Expansion Plans

 
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
MakerKids Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion -Yes
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About Idea Lab Kids

Idea Lab Kids is an enrichment center dedicated to providing the most innovative S.T.E.A.M education in the form of afterschool camps, classes and birthday parties.
Our unique business model allows for two revenue generating sources:
Onsite- Mobile camps and classes
Offsite- Physical Facility offering in house afterschool camps and weekend birthday parties
Note- Physical location is not required until 12-18 months in order to allow sufficient ramp up.

Idea Lab Kids engages K-8 students in supplemental Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.A.M) education - giving them real academic advantage in school in addition to the skills and motivation they need to prepare them for 21st century jobs.

IDEA Lab Kids is a unique kids franchise opportunity that allows our franchisee business partners to build a financially viable business by providing multiple revenue streams. We are seeking to partner with driven professionals and investors who have a passion for building a profitable business while also making a positive impact in their community by providing S.T.E.A.M Education.

A background in childcare or education and a passion to educate kids is desirable to succeed as an IDEA Lab Kids franchisee.  In the children's franchise industry, franchise owners today come from diverse backgrounds and have a common goal of making a difference in early childhood education and achieving financial success.
 
 Our franchisee business partners will have the option of taking an active role in the business as the full-time General Manager or choose to hire a full-time Program Coordinator and serve as a consultant.
Veteran Incentives  5% off franchise fee
#316 in Franchise 500 for 2021.   Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.






About MakerKids

MakerKids runs award-winning STEM programs on Coding, Robotics and Minecraft. We use technology as a medium to help build confidence, social skills, change-making abilities and a positive relationship with technology. Kids have started businesses, won prizes from NASA, been published in magazines, and had positive mental health outcomes. MakerKids was named the #1 franchise concept in the NextGen in Franchising Competition at the International Franchise Association Conference from over 400 entrants.
 To describe the franchise in one word: transformative 
- Target Market: Ages 6-13, including Special Needs students 
- Location-based + mobile business/satellite locations: owner to operate multiple satellite locations e.g. at schools 
- Camps, After-School Programs and Parties 
- MakerKids® teaches STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) topics: Coding, Robotics and Minecraft 
- Education/Curriculum: Proprietary Lesson Plans 
- Advertising/Marketing: Presentation Material & Templates 
- Online Parent Registration

We have been featured by Forbes, Wired, and more. Your dream career awaits. Help empower the makers of tomorrow. Inquire today.