Get All Access for $5/mo

School of Rock Taps Latin America Master Franchisor for United Kingdom Expansion The music educator is taking a new step in its international expansion with a master franchise agreement in the UK — and a familiar face is leading the venture.

By Carl Stoffers Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • School of Rock is making a major move into the UK with a new master franchise agreement.
  • Matias Puga-Hamilton, who has successfully led School of Rock's expansion in Latin America, will lead the UK venture.
  • The first school is slated to open in early 2025 in London, extending the brand's European presence.

School of Rock is advancing its international expansion by finalizing a new master franchise agreement for the United Kingdom. Today, the music education brand announced that Matias Puga-Hamilton, who spearheaded School of Rock's successful growth in Latin America, will lead the venture. For Puga-Hamilton, the appeal had a personal edge.

"The powerful transformation School of Rock inspired in my daughters when they were enrolled as students is what drove me to bring this concept to my home country of Chile," Puga-Hamilton said in a statement. "I've since had the honor of witnessing that impact on an increasingly global scale, and I'm eager to continue making a difference."

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

UK expansion

Under Puga-Hamilton's leadership, the brand plans to develop 30 new schools across the UK over the next 11 years, building on the momentum of School of Rock's established presence in countries such as Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Peru, and Ecuador.

School of Rock plans to open the first location under this UK agreement in early 2025 in London. The UK schools will expand the brand's current European footprint, which already includes five schools, primarily in Spain and Portugal.

"Continued international expansion is of the utmost importance to School of Rock," Anthony Padulo, School of Rock's CDO, said in a statement. "Our European presence in the UK is a major milestone in this ongoing initiative, and we couldn't be happier to have Matias and his experienced team as our partners in this endeavor."

Related: Find Out Which Brands Have Ranked on the Franchise 500 for Longest, Earning a Spot In our New 'Hall of Fame'

Recent growth

Founded in 1998 in Philadelphia, School of Rock ranked #205 on the 2024 Franchise 500 List. The brand is one of the best-known music school franchises in the world, boasting more than 330 franchises and achieving 25% growth over the past three years.

School of Rock offers various music lessons, including guitar, singing and piano. The company also sells musical instruments and gear through its GearSelect program. Franchisees may work with professional musicians and more than a dozen part-time students daily. Outside of lessons, students can audition for the AllStars program and attend nationwide music workshops and camps throughout the year.

Carl Stoffers

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Business Editor

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

Visionaries or Vague Promises? Why Companies Fail Without Leaders Who See Beyond the Bottom Line

Visionary leaders turn bold ideas into lasting impact by building resilience, clarity and future-ready teams.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Green Entrepreneur®

How Global Business Leaders Can Build a Sustainable Supply Chain

Businesses can build sustainable supply chains by leveraging technology to reduce environmental impact, optimize resources and track emissions while balancing operational efficiency and sustainability goals.