WSI Internet vs The Alternative Board Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of WSI Internet vs The Alternative Board including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
WSI Internet Franchise
The Alternative Board Franchise
Investment $64,450 - $94,550$58,023 - $103,298
Franchise Fee $49,700 - $69,700$19,500 - $44,000
Royalty Fee 10%10 - 50%
Advertising Fee -Varies
Year Founded 19951990
Year Franchised 19961996
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Renewal Fee -$1.5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
WSI Internet Franchise
The Alternative Board Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Minimum 10 years' senior-level business experience
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Minimum net worth of $300,000

    • Financing Options
     
    WSI Internet Franchise
    The Alternative Board Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoYes/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    WSI Internet Franchise
    The Alternative Board Franchise
    Training Classroom Training: 42 hours Here at TAB we begin with 10 hours of pre-training (online) to set the stage for a very successful 8 days of training at our corporate headquarters in Westminster, CO. During a new launch, TAB also provides personalized in-field coaching and training to further prepare our TAB Business Owners to capitalize on lead generation, marketing strategies, and conversion of appointments to board memberships and consulting engagements. On-The-Job Training: 8 days Classroom Training: 8 days Additional Training: Monthly/quarterly conference calls
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    		 Franchise can be run from home.

    12% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1

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

    Expansion Plans
     
    WSI Internet Franchise
    The Alternative Board Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About WSI Internet

    We Service the Internet
    WSI Internet, founded in 1995, has a network of consultants that spreads across more than 87 countries and six continents, providing Internet services to small- and medium-sized businesses. WSI Internet is based in Toronto, Ontario, and has been franchising since 1996.

    #109 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees
    Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee

    About The Alternative Board

    The Alternative Board offers consultants, business owners, and transitioning corporate executives the opportunity to earn significant income from facilitating executive peer boards and coaching local business owners and leaders using TAB's proprietary tools to help companies achieve greater success.
    As TAB-Certified Facilitator/Coaches, franchisees facilitate monthly peer advisory board meetings where, based on the collective experience of the board, members receive real-world solutions and practical advice on how to solve challenges and seize new opportunities. Founder, Allen Fishman, began developing the peer board concept after he guided his electronics firm from a private to a public company. The organization has expanded to benefit thousands of businesses throughout the world.

    There are three different franchise models you may select. The first franchise model is the “major metropolitan area” TAB Business franchise.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an MM TAB Business Franchise ranges from $82,523 to $103,298. This includes between $78,423 and $85,573 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    The second franchise model is the “non-major metropolitan area” TAB Business franchise. The total investment necessary to begin operation of an NMM TAB Business Franchise ranges from $68,023 to $88,798. This includes between $63,923 and $71,073 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    The third franchise model is the “small” TAB Business franchise. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Small TAB Business Franchise ranges from $58,023 to $78,798. This includes between $53,923 and $61,073 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #383 in Franchise 500 for 2020.