
Sylvan Learning
Supplemental education, STEM camps, college prep- 2023 Franchise 500 Rank
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#228 Ranked #432 last year
- Initial investment
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$98K - $200K
- Units as of 2023
-
552 3% over 3 years
Sylvan Learning is a provider of custom instructional services to students of all ages and backgrounds. Operating from its base in Hunt Valley, Maryland since 1979, Sylvan Learning opened for franchising in 1980 and is now a leader in the school-age tutorial industry in North America and Asia.
As a franchisee, you may gain a head start into your dream lifestyle by opening a business that has a proven business model that has worked for over four decades. You will have the opportunity to shape young people's lives and make a significant impact on their future through learning.
Why You May Want to Start a Sylvan Learning Franchise
Learning centers tend to come in great numbers, but Sylvan Learning's advantage may lie in its top-notch programs. These programs may have been mastered through the brand's decades-long experience and passion for developing new techniques and strategies to better serve their students.
Moreover, Sylvan Learning operates with an unconventional business model with a comprehensive team effort between corporate and existing franchisees. The goal is to identify the needs of locals, create systems and processes, and find tools and resources that make it easiest for needs to be met.
This approach ultimately comes down to designing an affordable investment where you, as a Sylvan Learning franchisee, will likely gain more experience than you may have with other competing traditional and online tutorial sites.
What Might Make a Sylvan Learning Franchise a Good Choice?
Many times since its inception, Sylvan Learning has been ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.
Sylvan Learning has made changes to improve the overall experience of the franchisee. The introduction of a new scheduling program and an admin system may have made the whole system easier to operate. It also may have helped make program delivery more efficient and reliable.
To be part of the Sylvan Learning team, you should make sure you’re financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. You should also prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include royalty fees and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.
How to Open a Sylvan Learning Franchise
If you would like to open a Sylvan Learning franchise, the best place to start is with an evaluation of your city for an ideal location. You'll want to make sure this is the right opportunity for your community.
Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, you'll usually have the chance to speak with existing franchisees and ask questions directed to the Sylvan Learning team. If your net worth and available liquid capital match the brand’s requirements, you may qualify to open a Sylvan Learning franchise, and you can get started with an initial investment.
Company Overview
About Sylvan Learning
Industry | Children's Businesses |
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Related Categories | Tutoring, Miscellaneous Children's Businesses, Children's Education/Enrichment |
Founded | 1979 |
Parent Company | Franchise Group Inc. |
Leadership | Jeff Stephenson, VP of Franchise Development |
Corporate Address |
4 N. Park Dr., #500 Hunt Valley, MD 21030 |
Social | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube |
More from Sylvan Learning
Join the #1 Education Franchise
Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personalized supplemental and enrichment education for students in grades K-12. For more than 40 years, Sylvan has established itself as a premier franchise opportunity, growing to more than 710 locations worldwide and offering its franchise owners the best-in-class support, technology and resources necessary to make a lasting impact on future generations.
With students struggling to keep up, teachers experiencing burnout and parents searching for additional support to get their kids get back on track, there has never been a better time to franchise with Sylvan Learning and be part of the solution that education needs right now.
Why Franchise with Sylvan Learning?
- Established brand with national recognition: For more than 40 years, Sylvan has built up its brand credibility and sharpened its business model by developing more than 710 locations and 5,000 school relationships worldwide!
- Inherent demand for supplemental education: Education is necessary and constantly changing, which means students will always need additional support.
- A one-stop education solution (not just math!): Sylvan covers all subjects, has the most advanced technology of any education franchise and is one of the largest branded providers of STEM services and college prep courses.
- Low investment, high reward: Sylvan is named a top low-cost franchise by Entrepreneur magazine, and unlike most other franchise opportunities on the market, you’ll receive the added benefit of an inspirational return on your investment.
Are You an Educator?
If you’re an educator — or can partner with one — there’s never been a better time to consider franchise ownership with Sylvan Learning! The nation’s leading provider of supplemental and enrichment education is extending educators an exclusive offer to become a franchise owner.

Here’s what educators love about franchising with Sylvan:
- Support from a national brand with established trust equity
- Opportunity for ownership within their passion and to amplify their impact
- Access to extensive resources to further their business skills
- Providing students with a one-stop supplemental education solution (not just math!)
Ideal Franchise Owner
Although Sylvan’s product revolves around education, no education experience is required to become a Sylvan Learning franchise owner. Sylvan’s ideal candidate typically meets the following criteria:
- Minimum of $75,000 in liquidity
- Minimum of $150,000 net worth
- Passion for making a lasting impact on future generations
- Desire to grow to multiple locations
Business Overview
Franchising Since | 1980 (43 years) |
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# of employees at HQ | 102 |
Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchisees throughout the US. This company is offering new franchisees worldwide. |
# of Units | 552 (as of 2023) |
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Sylvan Learning franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
Initial Franchise Fee
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$34,900 |
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Initial Investment
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$98,087 - $199,582 |
Net Worth Requirement
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$150,000 |
Cash Requirement
|
$75,000 |
Veteran Incentives
|
10% off franchise fee |
Royalty Fee
|
16% |
Ad Royalty Fee
|
8% |
Term of Agreement
|
10 years |
Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
Third Party Financing | Sylvan Learning has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll |
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Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
On-The-Job Training | Varies |
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Classroom Training | 3 weeks |
Ongoing Support |
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
Marketing Support |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
Is absentee ownership allowed? | No |
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Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
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No |
Can this franchise be run part time?
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No |
# of employees required to run | 2-4 |
Are exclusive territories available?
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Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Sylvan Learning landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Sylvan Learning ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
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