The Alternative Board (TAB)

Founded: 1990 Franchising since: 1996
Allen E. Fishman founded The Alternative Board (TAB) in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1990. TAB is a membership organization for CEOs, presidents and business owners, who meet once a month to discuss ways of improving their businesses. Each group is made up of no more than 12 members whose businesses are not in competition with one another. Members turn to other members and their facilitator for advice on different aspects of their business, such as improving sales and performance. TAB facilitators (franchisees) typically have 10 or more years' senior level management or consulting experience. Some franchisees use TAB to complement an existing consulting practice.

Address: 11031 Sheridan Blvd. Westminster, Colorado 80020

Phone: (800)727-0126/ (303)839-4744

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 27 employee(s); 6 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	135	17	1	11
2008	151	17	1	11
2007	157	12	1	12
2006	134	12	1	8

Where Seeking Franchisees
Nationwide
Outside the U.S.: Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Middle East, Mexico, South America, Western Europe

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Up to 30,000 businesses

Total investment: $41,386 - $101,155
Franchise fee: $17,500 - $52,500
Ongoing royalty fee: $2.5K/mo.
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable


Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	Yes
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $300,000
Cash liquidity requirement: $70,000
Business Experience:

• Industry experience
• General business experience
• Marketing skills
• Minimum 10 years' senior-level executive experience

Operations

• Franchise can be run from home
• 1% 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)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 6 days initially
• At franchisee's location: 4 weeks
• Monthly/quarterly conference calls

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media
• Regional advertising

Other marketing support

• Websites

Franchise 500® rank:
#276 (2010); #331 (2009); #203 (2008); #200 (2007); #226 (2006);

Low-Cost Franchises:
#67 (2010); #39 (2008); #46 (2007); #53 (2006);

Top Homebased Franchises:
#81 (2010); #95 (2009); #44 (2008); #56 (2007); #59 (2006);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#164 (2008); #148 (2007); #169 (2006);