How to Start a Franchise in the Education/Tuition Industry (From Scratch!)

Have you ever dreamed of turning your love for teaching into something bigger? Perhaps you’ve built a tuition/education business brand that students and parents trust—and now you’re wondering: What’s next?

If you’re thinking of expanding your business but want to maintain quality and consistency, franchising might just be your answer. At Lil’ but Mighty, we understand the passion behind running a purpose-driven education business. So whether you’re an educator, an edupreneur, or someone looking to grow your impact, here’s a practical guide to starting your very own franchise in the education/tuition industry.

1. Solidify Your Brand Identity and Core Offering

Before you think about franchising, ask yourself:

• What makes your programme unique?

• Can your teaching method be replicated?

• Is your brand memorable and values-driven?

Your franchisees will be representing your brand. That means you need to have clear systems, a recognisable voice, and a proven curriculum. Take the time to document your pedagogy, create lesson structures, and gather testimonials from satisfied parents and students.

Tip: Your brand story matters. Why did you start? What do you stand for? Your future franchisees (and their students) need to believe in it too.

2. Create a Franchise-Ready Business Model

Franchising isn’t just about copying and pasting a centre. It’s about building a supportive, sustainable model others can adopt. You’ll need to:

• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs)

• Create an operations manual (this becomes your franchisee’s bible!)

• Define your revenue streams – tuition fees, enrichment workshops, booklets?

• Decide on a franchise fee and royalty model

A successful franchise education business should balance two things: replicability and profitability—for you and your franchisees.

3. Protect Your Intellectual Property (IP)

Your teaching materials, brand name, mascot, curriculum, and marketing collaterals are valuable. Safeguard them legally before you open the doors to others.

• Trademark your brand and logo

• Copyright your materials

• Draft legally-sound franchise agreements (work with a lawyer familiar with franchising in Singapore)

This protects not only your work but also gives your franchisees confidence that they’re investing in a trusted, protected brand.

4. Build a Franchisee Support System

Your success lies in helping others succeed.

Create onboarding programmes, trainer certifications, marketing toolkits, and regular check-ins to ensure franchisees feel supported from Day 1.

At Lil’ but Mighty, we know that teacher training isn’t a one-off. The same goes for franchise support! Think: long-term mentorship, resource sharing, and community.

5. Market Your Franchise Opportunity

Once your backend is ready, it’s time to share the opportunity with potential franchisees. Here’s how:

• Create a dedicated franchise page on your website

• Share success stories from your current centre(s)

• Attend education fairs or franchising expos

• Use social media to reach passionate educators looking to make an impact

Look out for individuals who align with your values, not just your vision. Passion, especially in education, is non-negotiable.

6. Start Small, Then Scale

You don’t need 10 franchises in your first year. Start with 1 or 2, preferably in different areas of Singapore, to test your model. This gives you the chance to:

• Refine your processes

• Gather feedback

• Prove scalability

Like teaching, franchising is about growing steadily and learning along the way.

💡 Or… Skip the Hard Work and Join a Franchise That’s Already Flourishing!

Let’s be honest—building a franchise system from scratch is no small feat. If you love teaching and want to run a successful business without spending years developing materials, testing models, and managing curriculum development, why not consider joining an existing franchise?

Become a Lil’ but Mighty Franchisee

Lil’ but Mighty is more than just a tuition centre. We are a community of educators passionate about helping students discover the power of English. With a proven track record, engaging curriculum, and a well-loved brand, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you.

As a franchisee, you’ll get:

• A fully developed and updated curriculum aligned to MOE standards

• Access to our mascots and all supporting teaching materials

• Operational support and training from Day 1

• Marketing and branding support to grow your centre

• A chance to make meaningful impact while building your own business

Whether you’re a teacher looking to take your career to the next level, or an investor seeking an education brand with heart, Lil’ but Mighty offers the perfect mix of purpose, support and performance.

It’s like becoming captain of a ship with a seasoned crew, a working compass and a map already charted.

Final Thoughts

Franchising in the education industry isn’t just about growing a business—it’s about multiplying impact. Whether you’re building your own brand or partnering with one that already has strong foundations, your journey can be both rewarding and meaningful.

At Lil’ but Mighty, we believe that small steps lead to mighty outcomes. So whether you’re planning to start your own franchise education business or you’re keen to join ours, we’re cheering you on every step of the way.