The Mad Science Group

Founded: 1985 Franchising since: 1995
As children, brothers Ariel and Ron Shlien loved to create crazy science experiments. As adults, they realized that kids like fun, cool science. So in 1985 they started Mad Science by hosting "edu-taining" birthday parties featuring scienctific demonstrations.

Franchising began in 1995, with initial franchises in Florida and Toronto, and now has franchises worldwide offering educational demonstrations to preschools, in-class and afterschool programs, community centers and scout programs. The company also provides entertainment for birthday parties, special events, camps and more.

8360 Bougainville St., #201 Montreal, Quebec H4P 2G1

Phone: (800)586-5231

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 30 employee(s); 3 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	125	19	33	0
2008	126	19	38	0
2007	140	25	32	0
2006	139	24	24	0
2005	130	25	22	0

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Worldwide

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 100-120 schools grades K-6 within 1-1.5 hour driving distance

Total investment: $44.4K-80.2K Franchise fee: $10K-23.5K

Ongoing royalty fee: 8% Term of agreement: 25 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

Third-party financing source(s): the SBA, AT&T Capital

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $50K
Cash liquidity requirement: $23.5K
Business Experience:

• Industry experience
• General business experience
• Marketing skills

Operations

• Franchise can be run from home
• 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 30
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 5 days
• At franchisee's location: 5 days

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Regional advertising

Franchise 500® rank:
#281 (2008); #272 (2007); #206 (2006); #230 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2007; 2006;

Low-Cost Franchises:
#61 (2008); #69 (2007); #47 (2006); #60 (2005);

Top Home Based Franchises:
#74 (2008); #74 (2007); #55 (2006); #62 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#181 (2008); #176 (2007); #172 (2006); #148 (2005);