Athena Learning Centers vs GradePower Learning Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Athena Learning Centers vs GradePower Learning including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Athena Learning Centers Franchise
GradePower Learning Franchise
Investment $35,000 - $160,000$99,800 - $270,500
Franchise Fee $2,500 - $30,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 7%10%
Advertising Fee 2% Nat'l $500/Mo Local3%
Year Founded 20111984
Year Franchised 20111991
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Athena Learning Centers Franchise
GradePower Learning Franchise
Experience

We are glad you have chosen to investigate Athena as a potential opportunity and we look forward to speaking to you, answering your questions, and developing a successful business relationship. We are currently looking for both single and multi-unit franchisees to open our Learning Centers. Franchisee candidates must meet certain qualifications to be considered for both single-unit and multi-unit franchise opportunities. In order to qualify for a single location, you will need a minimum net worth of $150,000 and liquid assets of $50,000. A good credit record / credit history is also required, evidenced by prompt payment of all financial obligations. Multi-unit candidates will be pre-qualified on an individual basis. Total Estimated Investment Range $66,000 to $146,000 The Initial Franchise Fee is $25,000. Franchisees pay royalties of 7% of gross sales, an advertising marketing fee of 2% of gross sales, and must purchase local advertising of at least $500 per month. Franchise candidates will be evaluated based on business abilities and experience, personal drive for success and financial strength. Athena Learning Center franchises are available for ambitious and entrepreneurial individuals willing to assume the risks - and eager to reap the rewards - of owning their own business.

Surprisingly, you really do not need to have education experience to operate a successful Grade Power franchise. We're looking for individuals with good people skills who can own, operate, manage and promote their own Grade Power franchise. You'll benefit by working alongside two very successful companies as we help you build your franchise.


Financing Options

 
Athena Learning Centers Franchise
GradePower Learning Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/Yes
Equipment -/--/Yes
Inventory -/--/Yes
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
Athena Learning Centers Franchise
GradePower Learning Franchise
Training

Staff Training On-Site and at Athena University On-going owner/center director support training

On-The-Job Training: 1 week Classroom Training: 2 weeks Additional Training: Home study
Support You can expect support in the following areas: Athena Total Solutions� Products and Services: Math, Literacy, and Science Curriculum powered by Pearson Education In-Center and On line SAT/ACT Prep Courses by The Princeton Review� Diagnostic in-center assessment On line homework help powered by Virtual Nerd Student Progress Tracking System Athena Center Management System, powered by Athena on Demand Automated Center Check-in System for Students Automatic Monthly Billing System Recommended Reading List with Books available for purchase in Center or online through the Athena Store Franchisee Support and Benefits: Athena Brand Recognition; proprietary marketing/advertising strategy plan Franchisee Intranet Communications and Marketing Portal Powered by Athena on Demand Athena Branded National/Local Website for all Athena Locations Owner Hotline via our Toll Free Number Staff Training On-Site and at Athena University Real Estate Location Services; demographic profiles, real estate lease support Turn-Key Interior Design/Build-Out services by industry leading architects/contractors/suppliers Camera Software/Hardware for off-site monitoring of your learning center in real-time Direct Local Marketing Solutions On-going owner/center director support and training Area of protected territory Develop a specified area through multi-unit ownership if you qualify No owner/Operator requirement

You will be provided with all the proprietary tools needed - along with the finest training and support system in the franchise industry. Helping you succeed is our primary focus, as we build our mutual franchise into a nationally known and recognized name in the education industry. Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations

Marketing -Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising
Operations -Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 1 - 3


Expansion Plans

 
Athena Learning Centers Franchise
GradePower Learning Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

About Athena Learning Centers

Athena Learning Centers is a community of year-round Learning Centers where children go to improve their math and reading skills. Each franchised Athena Learning Center offers the Athena Total Solutions package of powerful solutions to help all students meet high standards and prepare them for college and the 21st century workplace. Athena Learning Centers partnered with Pearson Education, the leader in education services. Through the partnership, Athena Learning Centers selected the programs that are aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to use in each of its franchised locations nationwide. As the leading education services company, Pearson is serious about evolving how the world learns. They apply their deep education experience and research, invest in innovative technologies, and promote collaboration throughout the education ecosystem. For decades, Pearson Education has had a direct impact on the educational success of millions of students across the country. As one of the pioneers of the American standards movement, Pearson Education has contributed to the development of the Common Core State Standards. At Athena Learning Centers, there is alignment between what your child will learn at the Center and what they are expected to learn at school.Athena Learning Centers also partnered with The Princeton Review to offer the best preparation for high stakes tests for your child in PSAT, SAT, SAT subject tests, and AP subject tests. For over 30 years, The Princeton Review's methods and techniques have remained the gold standard in the test prep industry. In addition to personalized instruction in our Learning Centers, Athena also offers online learning solutions for students powered by Virtual Nerd. Virtual Nerd uses their patent-pending Dynamic Whiteboard online instructional platform to help students learn. Virtual Nerd currently offers hundreds of tutorials in Middle Grades Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and Intro Physics. Virtual Nerd is best in class when it comes to online tutoring. In addition, ABC Music & Me is now offered at Athena Learning Centers! Created by Kindermusik International, ABC Music & Me is an award-winning music enrichment program for 2 to 6 year olds, designed for early childhood learning centers. Parents are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the quality of Kindermusik offerings into their children's lives through ABC Music & Me, the premiere enrichment program to promote early childhood skills development and school-readiness.
 
The Athena Advantage
 

The Athena Advantage℠ encompasses an entire tool box available to students to help them succeed academically, prepare for high stakes exams, and give them the necessary critical thinking skills for the 21st century workplace. Athena’s best-in-class curricula offerings include math, reading, and writing as well as SAT®/ACT® test preparation. These curricula offerings align to new and more rigorous standards, both in Common Core and non-Common Core states.

At Athena, we will provide your child with a thorough educational assessment and develop a learning plan aligned to meet the standards of your child’s grade, both in Common Core and non-Common Core states. We’ve developed the Athena API-or Assessment for Personalized Instruction. Our assessments are research based, time-tested, and administered with experienced educational staff. Most of the time, certified teachers will tutor your child twice per week for about 60 to 90 minutes of instruction per visit. We work with students individually or in small peer groups. We generally recommend focusing on one subject at a time but will accommodate two subject students by parent request.

Veteran Incentives   10% off franchise fee  


 

About GradePower Learning

GradePower Learning is unlike any other franchise in North America and is changing the way our children process, interpret, and organize information. It is important to understand that we do not tutor students. Tutoring is only a temporary fix; it's focused on getting a better grade or test score. We combine academic tutoring with cognitive learning, so our focus is on improving how children learn. We use these methods in order to teach students how to think correctly. By doing so they learn real self-esteem and they won't need tutoring year after year. This will not only give students better grades, it will benefit them for the rest of their lives. We have the widest array of these programs, such as; Little Readers, Beyond Tutoring, Advantage, SAT/ACT Test Prep, College Readiness Study, ADD, ADHD, NCLB and more! You will also have the opportunity to partner with a company that not only has 25 years dedicated to the learning and education industry, but also over 35 years experience in franchising and working with people from all walks of life to help them build a successful future for themselves and their families.

Veteran Incentives  Royalty fee waived for six months

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