Are you looking to open a Sylvan Franchise? If so, this page can help you learn the steps involved in starting your own business.

Sylvan Learning Center is an established company in the tutoring franchise and education franchise industry. It is the biggest chain of tutoring centers in the United States with more than 900 locations and provides a wide range of tutoring services such as in-center, online and in-home options. Sylvan touts high brand identification as a learning franchise and a 24 ranking on the Entrepreneur Magazine top franchises listing. They spend 3 times as much on advertising as their leading competitors to help make franchises successful.http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/franchising.cfm

Franchising is a good option when you are interested in starting your own business, but you are concerned about management and success. A Sylvan education franchise offers an established 'plug and play' model that helps make opening a new business easier. With the added brand recognition and support options provided by franchises, you can open your own business without being alone. Franchises also provide a proven system that can help get you on the track to profits quicker. Even if you want to open a tutoring company mainly to help children succeed, it is a business, so it is important to have a business model that will allow you to turn a profit.http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneursstartupsmagazine/2009/october/203504.html

Before taking the plunge and signing up for a Sylvan franchise, make sure to understand the Sylvan franchise model, requirements and support system offered by the company. Sylvan offers an extensive training program, multiple communication channels, information systems to help make the 'business' side of your franchise simpler and they advertise heavily. They are actively seeking franchisees for a variety of opportunities. They have around 40 company owned locations that they want to convert to franchise owned locations. Some markets include Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas, Chicago and Salt Lake City. They also offer franchise territories and international expansion options.http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/franchising_opportunities.cfm

Specific information on Sylvan franchises is easy to obtain. The basic information on requirements and provided benefits is available on the Sylvan website. You can also download a free brochure on their franchise Get Started page.http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/form_contact_us.cfm If after reading the basic information provided you have more questions, simply contact their franchise development department at 800-284-8214.

Beyond the information provided by the company, you should examine 3rd party sources of information such as Dun & Bradstreet reports that indicate the financial health of the company, Better Business Bureau ratings and information found at places such as Entrepreneur Magazine to help formulate your understanding of Sylvan as a solid business choice. Consider contacting existing franchisees for a better perspective on the day to day requirements needed to operate a facility.

In addition to looking at the Sylvan company and franchise, you should investigate the area where you want to buy or place a franchise. Consider contacting the local business development agency associated with the city or region to get information such as the number of families with school age children, the average income and any incentives such as tax breaks they can offer to help you establish your business. You need a location that has sufficient clientele to make your business a success and is not already saturated with other tutoring companies.

As with most franchises, Sylvan requires you meet specific requirements before you can be accepted as a new franchise owner. These requirements are established to make sure their system will be successful in your hands and is based on the experience they have with opening locations around the world. These requrements are also in place to help ensure both you and the company will make money.

Sylvan requires a minimum education of a bachelor's degree and they prefer individuals with Education, Marketing or Business degrees. They also want you to have a history of business skills, including the ability to grow a business and be a successful sales person. Preferably, you will have experience in the education business. You must also a strong community outreach ability that will allow you to successfully work with governenment officials, school leadership and that you are willing to be an educational resource in your community. Being seen as an education authority will help your business grow and will enhance the Sylvan name.

Financially, you will need to show a minimum liquidity (cash on hand) of at least $75,000 with a net worth (cash, savings and investments) of $250,000. You will be required to pay an up front franchising fee of between $42,000 and $48,000 and the initial investment is expected to be between $179,000 and $305,000, depending on real estate expenses.

Lastly, you will be required to commit to the core principles of Sylvan Learning such as maximizing customer convenience, being a community partner, providing superior education services and attract more customers through marketing.http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/franchising_is_sylvan_for_you.cfm

Once you have confirmed the Sylvan system is right for you, you will need to apply to become a Sylvan franchisee. You should schedule to attend a Day of Discovery at the Sylvan headquarters and attend interviews. Be sure to contact a Business Development representative before you attend so you can fill out the required forms and gather needed support documents.

If you do not have sufficient capital from your own savings to open a new franchise, consider multiple sources of franchisee financing. You can opt to receive loans from friends and families, find a business investment partner or try to get financing from a bank. Often, you will need to work through the Small Business Administration who can offer loan guarantees that can help you secure loans at standard banks.

After your financing is in place and you have passed all Sylvan prerequisites, you should attend the Sylvan training program. If you plan to have a business manager or other staff, they may also need to attend training, so consider making your top hiring choices before training to allow you time to 'bond' together so that the rough work of opening your new center can be accomplished through teamwork.

Once your training is finished, look for a location that meets your needs, or refurbish an existing center to your preferences. If you buy an existing franchise, you will cut down many of the steps needed to start your new company. Regardless of your location, you should establish your company as a separate business entity such as an S-Corporation. Check with your tax adviser on the best company framework for your personal situation.

After your facility is ready, equipped and you have all the staff you need to open your business, schedule a grand opening (or grand re-opening if you purchased a franchise). Be sure to invite educators, local government officials and parents to help spread the word quickly about your services and commitment to the community. Once you have signed up your first student, you can say you have successfully opened your own Sylvan franchise.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Please contact a finance professional before using the information presented here.