Leading tutor and education brand Sylvan Learning is rapidly expanding into China, with plans to open more than 200 tutoring centers in the Asian country in the next ten years. Based in Baltimore, this education company has more than 750 franchise businesses in the US and is also present in nine other countries. It's been growing quickly overseas as well, thanks to the demand for test-prep, STEM courses and tutoring in English in areas such as Vietnam. Currently, this brand has three locations in Hong Kong but none in China's mainland.
In China, the brand is partnering with franchisee Bo Jiang, who owns a for-profit high school located in Shanghai that focuses on its arts curriculum. Jiang is planning to open his centers in schools first, starting with international and for-profit schools at different grade levels.
Brand CEO John McAuliffe noted the company plans to tap into China's already large and still growing population, in which big, structured classes are typical. According to the CEO, many of the children attending for-profit or international schools wish to go to Australia, the US or UK for college, so Sylvan's English curriculum ties in with their need to learn English. Currently, China accounts for about one-third of all international enrollment in US colleges.
Sylvan has also been establishing a presence in Vietnam, where a franchisee now operates six locations. In 2016, the brand announced the signing of a franchise agreement with an investment group in Vietnam to expand STEM programs in English-language schools there. The education brand also opened a location in Saudi Arabia recently.
Vice President of Franchise Development Georgia Chasen added that as the brand has expanded across the globe, they've come to realize all parents have the same desire for their children, and Sylvan can help inspire children by their own academic achievements.
Sylvan Learning currently has franchise opportunities available in many markets. The franchise fee is $24,000, and the initial investment for one of these franchise opportunities ranges from $70,980 to $159,890.
