Challenge Island vs Ivybrook Academy Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Challenge Island vs Ivybrook Academy including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Challenge Island Franchise
Ivybrook Academy Franchise
Investment $48,300 - $62,950$310,700 - $440,200
Franchise Fee $39,900$50,000
Royalty Fee 6%6%
Advertising Fee 2%1%
Year Founded 20032007
Year Franchised 20122016
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Challenge Island Franchise
Ivybrook Academy Franchise
Experience - Compassionate and caring, ready to help our students learn Able to work with both students and their parents – both our “customers” Motivated to build a team and student enrollment Accepts and embodies the Ivybrook Academy mission

Financing Options

 
Challenge Island Franchise
Ivybrook Academy Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/Yes-/Yes
Start-up Costs -/Yes-/Yes
Equipment -/--/Yes
Inventory -/--/Yes
Receivables -/--/Yes
Payroll -/--/Yes

Training & Support

 
Challenge Island Franchise
Ivybrook Academy 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

We provide over 120 hours in person for you to get up and running before you even open and it doesn’t stop there. Here is a list of how we are DETERMINED to set you up for SUCCESS: Before Opening - 2 weeks of training both at our corporate location and at your school’s location Opening Month- Our team will be with you the entire week prior to opening as well as your first week of operation. After Opening- Regular visits, calls and open lines of communication are important for everyone’s success! On-The-Job Training: 46 hours Classroom Training: 66 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 Purchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
Operations -Number of Employees Required to Run: 15

Expansion Plans

 
Challenge Island Franchise
Ivybrook Academy Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion Yes-

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 Ivybrook Academy

""

Ivybrook Academy was created by a public school teacher who was looking to balance quality of life with owning a business. As a highly involved mom of two very young children, she sought a means of achieving financial freedom that would also allow her more time with her kids.   Enter the Ivybrook Academy model.
  • Steady daytime hours of operation - 8:15 to 4:30
  • No transportation/busing of children
  • No lunches served
  • Professional teachers with 4-year teaching degrees
  • Progressive blended curriculum based on Reggio Emilia and Montessori methods
  • The facility is closed approximately 32 work days per year
  • When summer hours are involved, the facility closes by noon
We will assist you every step of the way on your journey through the franchising process. From helping you find the right location, developing the building plans, and going through construction to ordering your equipment and furniture, hiring staff, training and more, we will offer the support you need and deserve.
As part of the Ivybrook Academy franchise family, we’ll help you through developing, running, and owning your own Ivybrook Academy!