That Franchise That Makes Learning Fun

Zaniac is a place where K-8 kids can master foundation skills, learn about math and technology, and become scientists — all while making new friends and having the time of their lives.

We recently interviewed Sidharth Oberoi, President and Co-Founder of Zaniac, and asked him what differentiates the Zaniac franchise among others in its niche, what makes this concept a good fit for potential franchisees and, lastly, what’s next for the franchise, both in the near future and long-term.


Give us an overview of your franchise.

Zaniac engages K-8 kids in supplemental Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education, giving students an academic advantage at school and providing the 21st century skills to succeed in everyday life. Zaniac is like school at its best — an active, inspiring place that is filled with friends and friends-to-be, where real math and technology learning is fun. We create a positive and encouraging environment to inspire STEM exploration in our students.

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How many units are there? 

We currently have 10 campuses spread across the country. Locations include New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Utah and California. We hope to reach 50 locations by 2017.

What makes this franchise special?

Unlike other after-school activities, which force parents to choose between learning and fun, Zaniac provides both an engaging experience for kids and real STEM education that nurtures their love of science, technology, engineering, and math. Through our state-of-the-art proprietary customized STEM curriculum, we prepare our students for the future by providing them the skills to succeed in the world today. Students take courses in Computer Programming, 3D Printing, Web Design, Architectural Planning, Fashion Design, and even learn physical and environmental sciences using the game Minecraft as a tool/resource, just to name a few.

Who are your biggest competitors?

Zaniac competes primarily with other after-school or weekend enrichment activities for K-8 kids like art classes, music lessons, athletics or dance. Although Zane Math tutoring is a core Zaniac product, Zaniac distances itself in position/communications from the tutoring space occupied by others. We also compete with other science-only after-school programs and academic summer camps. 

What differentiates your franchise among others in your niche?

Zaniac has a much broader scope than many other after-school enrichment programs. We deliver science, technology and engineering curriculum rather than concentrating just on math or reading. Helping our students ‘get ahead’ in school and continuously challenging themselves is a core tenant of the Zaniac experience. We differentiate from science-focused programs in the way that our curriculum is much more diverse and because of that, it provides great academic value. Zaniac also places an emphasis on peer-based learning, as instructors are typically honors high school seniors or college students. We’re known for being a fun place where students do not want to leave.

Who are the key figures within your franchise?

Paul Zane Pilzer is the mastermind behind Zaniac. As an economist, social entrepreneur, professor and author of 11 New York Times bestselling books, Pilzer has a strong belief that children who succeed in math will succeed in life because it brings order to their world, so he founded Zaniac to meet the needs of supplemental STEM education he felt America has been lacking.

What is the total investment to open a franchise?

The total initial investment, including the franchise fee of $50,000, averages $250,250. A full-size Zaniac Campus is a 2,500 to 3,000 square-foot colorful retail space.

What do you tell potential franchisees about the profit potential of opening up one of your franchises?

Zaniac founders and management believe that the global education enrichment (“getting ahead”) industry will soon exceed the $100 billion tutoring (“catching up”) industry. This is the side of after-school enrichment programs you want to be on.

What makes this concept a good fit for potential franchisees?

Whether you’re a parent or not, it’s easy to understand that kids learn better when they’re having fun and that’s exactly what we’re about. As a franchise owner, you can be a part of helping educate the future of America and bringing smiles to the faces of children within your community. With Zaniac being a franchise, we can help you provide important STEM education to kids without being an educator yourself.

What qualities do you look for in potential franchisees?

Our franchisees have a passion for helping children grow and learn, as they are usually parents that are looking to better prepare their children for the future. Business owners must have strong sales, client services ability and excellent time management skills. We look for individuals who have a strong sense of integrity in corporate and client relationships.

What type of initial training do you offer new franchisees?

Our franchisees come to Zaniac’s headquarters Salt Lake City for 4-5 days about 6 to 8 weeks before the franchise is scheduled to open. Additionally, there are 4-5 days of on-site training at the new location to help get the business started. In order to provide ongoing support and guidance, we also hold training sessions twice a year for refresher and/or update training.

What kind of ongoing support do you offer?

We supply our franchisees with state-of-the-art STEM curriculum that is our “secret sauce.” We also provide the Zaniac Campus Operating System, a cloud-based solution that allows Zaniac franchisees and campus managers to concentrate on sales and improving their customer’s experience, rather than operational friction points such as scheduling and accounting.

How have your most successful franchisees grown their franchises?

Our franchisees are successful because they believe in the power of STEM education for children, and they have the passion and drive to deliver it to their local communities. Our most successful franchises have focused on community outreach and becoming ambassadors of the brand and STEM education at large to deliver an excellent experience. Our first-ever franchisees have already opened their third campus.

What’s next for your franchise, both in the near future and long-term?

We have goals to open 50 locations by 2017. Our overarching goal is to be the leader in STEM education that helps to prepare kids for 21st century jobs. Regardless of whether or not students end up in a traditional STEM field, having a fundamental understanding of the technology involved in all aspects of 21st century professional life will provide a backbone for future success.

Where can people get more information on your franchise?

Visit the website here.

Where can people find your Zaniac franchise on social media?

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