Sylvan Learning

Founded: 1979 Franchising since: 1980
Based in Baltimore, Sylvan Learning Centers was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1979 to provide personalized instructional services to students of all ages and skill levels. Sylvan has been franchising since 1980 and has learning centers in North America and Asia.

1001 Fleet St. Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Phone: (800)284-8214/ (410)843-8000 Franchisee Association Franchise Owners Association

Franchisor is a publicly-held company with 97 employee(s); 32 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	851	92	11	83
2008	816	75	5	134
2007	794	76	8	242
2006	784	70	5	237
2005	805	86	2	180

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: 8,000-30,000 school-age population

Total investment: $188.6K-304.7K Franchise fee: $42K-48K

Ongoing royalty fee: 8-9% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

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

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $250K
Cash liquidity requirement: $75K
Business Experience:

• Industry experience
• General business experience
• Marketing skills
• Education background preferred but not required

Operations

• 41% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 1 week
• At franchisee's location: During opening
• At regional locations : 5 days

Ongoing Support

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

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media

Franchise 500® rank:
#61 (2009); #64 (2008); #39 (2006); #51 (2005);

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#18 (2006);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#52 (2009); #63 (2008); #49 (2005);