Challenge Island vs I Know Science STEM Center & Toy Store Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Challenge Island vs I Know Science STEM Center & Toy Store including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Challenge Island Franchise
I Know Science STEM Center & Toy Store Franchise
Investment $48,300 - $62,950$121,000 - $204,500
Franchise Fee $39,900$60,000
Royalty Fee 6%6%
Advertising Fee 2%-
Year Founded 2003-
Year Franchised 2012-
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Challenge Island Franchise
I Know Science STEM Center & Toy Store Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Challenge Island Franchise
I Know Science STEM Center & Toy Store Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs -/Yes-/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
Challenge Island Franchise
I Know Science STEM Center & Toy Store Franchise
Training

3 days of classroom and hands-on training. Some of the key aspects of the training is provided by the Founder of Challenge Island, Sharon Estroff. Once you return to your market and are ready for business, Challenge Island will have a support person come to your market for one-full day and provide on-site training and assistance. On-The-Job Training: 8 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours

-
Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Our support system is consistent throughout the lifetime of our partnership and we assist you every step of the way. If becoming a business owner is appealing to you and you have a passion for being part of an industry that makes a fantastic, long-lasting, and positive impact in the community, then owning your own I Know Science™ STEM Center & Toy Store would be one of the most rewarding experiences in your lifetime.
Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing -
Operations -IKS has developed a simple and straightforward approach to an edutainment business that is easy to learn and execute. You will leave training with the right tools, knowledge, support, attitude and confidence needed to start and grow your own successful edutainment business through the I Know Science brand. Territories will be based on a population no less than 75,000 with a specific market as well as a geographical radius. Other factors that are considered are, number of homes in the area, median household income, existence of competition, rent, and more. We will support you in finding the right location. I Know Science™ exclusive territories are one of the key benefits we offer and are only available to you as an early franchisee. Certain territories can offer a competitive advantage in the sales/marketing environment. Please contact us to discuss available territories and or your preferred territory.

Expansion Plans

 
Challenge Island Franchise
I Know Science STEM Center & Toy Store Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About Challenge Island

Challenge Island Founder and Creator, Sharon Duke Estroff M.A.T. is an award-winning educator with over two decades of teaching experience in Atlanta public and private schools. She is the author of the popular parenting book Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah? (Random House) and a feature parenting and education writer for numerous national publications including Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Parents Magazine, and Huffington Post. Sharon created Challenge Island while on maternity leave with her fourth child. Maxed out on late-night reruns of a popular, realityTV show, she began wondering if the same basic principals (minus the voting and island part) could become a means of motivating her students to take on complex higher level thinking tasks. She poured everything she'd learned about children into developing this idea, incorporating cutting edge research and educational thought. By the time her daughter graduated from 3 am feedings, Challenge Island was ready for primetime. It's been growing by leaps and bounds ever since. Now over a decade later, thousands of children have experienced the magic and benefits of Challenge Island, as Sharon continues to develop fresh curriculum and content for this popular enrichment program.
 *It's a proven model - truly a home-based business;
*Requires only a modest investment;
*Has NO national competition;
*Quick ROI on your low-cost franchise;
*Can be operated as a part/full time business;
*Has high profit margins;
*Has low fixed overhead;
*It's easy to operate;
*It can be easily taught to anyone;
*The classes, camps and birthday parties are affordable by nearly any family;
*Parents view the classes, camps, and birthday parties as educational and therefore feel that the fees are well spent.
*Year-round income with camps during school vacations and birthday parties anytime.
*Thrive in any economy by providing affordable classes to parents who put education first on their list of expenditures.

Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee

"Entrepreneur
#345 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#151 in Franchise 500 for 2021.

About I Know Science STEM Center & Toy Store

I Know Science™ STEM Center & Toy Store cleverly combines STEM education and entertainment. The IKS business model is innovative and leading-edge in its products and services, unique in its delivery, and profitable in the rapidly growing edutainment industry. Edutainment is the trailblazing way for recreational activities for children in the 21st century.
Parents clearly see the lasting value of investing in their kids by purchasing educational STEM toys or signing up for a STEM program. Furthermore, they enjoy the practicality of finding many quality services from one business, which they can trust, granting them a simple way to plan their kids’ activities and events.
Children that join any of the services and/or purchase our products walk away having had an enriching experience unlike any other, one they’ll remember for years to come. The IKS impact is exceptionally positive to their development and self-esteem. Hence, IKS STEM Center and Toy Stores are becoming one of the most welcomed, loved, and desired businesses in communities.