MakerKids vs Ivybrook Academy Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
MakerKids Franchise
Ivybrook Academy Franchise
Investment $152,750 - $399,000$310,700 - $440,200
Franchise Fee $30,000$50,000
Royalty Fee 8%6%
Advertising Fee 3%1%
Year Founded 20132007
Year Franchised 20182016
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
MakerKids Franchise
Ivybrook Academy Franchise
Experience - 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. 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

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

Training & Support

 
MakerKids Franchise
Ivybrook Academy Franchise
Training - 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.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 - 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 conceptsPurchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing - Use of MakerKids® Name, Logo and Trademarks - Presentation Material & TemplatesNational Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
Operations -Number of Employees Required to Run: 15

Expansion Plans

 
MakerKids Franchise
Ivybrook Academy Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion Yes-
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

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.


About Ivybrook Academy

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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!