Concept Description
The Alternative Board (TAB) is a global leader in providing peer advisory boards, coaching services, and business consulting to small and mid-sized business owners. Established in 1990, TAB has expanded to over 140 units in 22 countries, making it the largest franchise system in its niche. With a proven business model, TAB franchisees facilitate monthly advisory board meetings and provide personalized coaching and consulting services to help business owners succeed.
As a TAB franchisee, you’ll be part of a thriving industry with immense growth potential. You’ll leverage your business consulting, ownership, or executive-level experience to make a meaningful impact on your clients’ lives. Our comprehensive training program, ongoing support, and low start-up costs make TAB an attractive opportunity for individuals looking to make a difference in their communities.
Key features of The Alternative Board franchise include:
- Low start-up costs and home-based business model
- No employee requirement and low overhead
- Comprehensive training and mentorship program
- Access to a vast network of experienced franchise owners
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth
Join the TAB family and embark on a rewarding journey of empowering small and mid-sized business owners to achieve their dreams.
Testimonials
FRANCHISEES
Vicky Richards – Partner, TAB Central New Jersey
“I have learned how much fulfillment I can experience from being a part of someone else’s success. In corporate America I got a huge high from closing the deal, winning over the Board or hitting the top of the sales results – all very individual and personal success; and fleeting. But seeing a client through to a successful exit or new heights in his/her business, over a long-term relationship, has proven to be more rewarding and lasting.”
Blair Koch – CEO, TAB Denver West
“I was able to grow my TAB business to 15 TAB Members and three TAB Boards in only a few months after I launched. The most important thing I advise potential partners is to be willing to take advice from the TAB community. TAB Facilitators are business owners just like any other; they have to be open to learn and grow.”
Joe Zente – Owner, TAB Austin
“TAB has developed an amazing portfolio of tools and processes and support to help any franchisee who has the commitment and desire to be successful—be successful. The type of people that thrive inside of the TAB environment are people that love business and entrepreneurship, enjoy learning, enjoy collaborating and enjoy helping business owners to succeed. Must-have for a TAB Business Owner is the ability to facilitate and coach.”
TAB Member Testimonials
Tom Wechsler – Wechsler Consulting and Engineering, Atlanta, GA
“All business owners can benefit from being held accountable for their decisions. TAB holds me accountable, while also reminding me that no matter how much you think you know, you can’t know everything. It’s extremely helpful to get insights and feedback from others who have nothing to do with your business, but who have considerable experience and wisdom of their own.”
Kristi Dunham – Peak Engineering, Denver, CO
“TAB played such a big part in our succession planning and execution. There was so much to navigate. The board’s deep understanding of our business really helped keep us accountable and make those important but sometimes tough decisions. TAB has been an anchor to help us move through all this.”
Dennis Torpey – Porcelain Patch & Glaze, Watertown, MA
“What TAB has done is allowed me to have a springboard of voices and ideas that will help me through decision processes. I think the greatest value in TAB is the overall knowledge of the Board and the general experience that comes with that. Being business owners, we see and have to deal with a lot of different issues on a day to day basis. So, having other people that are dealing with those issues allows you to take a breath and deal with them with an open mind.”
Publicity
We are honored to receive dual recognition from Entrepreneur! TAB has been named an Entrepreneur Verified Franchise, a prestigious accolade recognizing our commitment to transparency, operational excellence, and outstanding franchisee support. Additionally, we have been ranked among Entrepreneur’s Top Franchises in the Spring issue of Startups.
Unit Option
Single, Area Representative/Master Developer
Background
FDD Franchised Units: 88
Corporate Owned Units: 10
Projected New Units: 5
Year Established: 1990
First Year Franchised: 1996
Type of Business: Franchise
Hours of Operation: Regular Business Hours
History:
The Alternative Board® was started in 1990 by Allen Fishman, an accomplished business executive and author.
Allen benefited greatly in his career from the collaboration and leadership that occurs in boardrooms and being a part of a board of directors. Allen identified that small business owners could clearly benefit from such advice groups, thus The Alternative Board was created.
What started as providing privately-held business owners with the support of peer advisory boards, has grown into multiple services to help global business owners, CEO’s and their leadership teams succeed!
Availability
Territories: United States, International, Canada: Registered
Financials
Liquidity: $125,000
*Investment Range: $77,130 - $95,405
Minimum Net Worth: $250,001, to $500,000
6 Month Cash: $300,000
Franchise Fee: $44,000
Royalty: 10% - 20%*
Royalty Description: Sliding scale on Amounts Collected: 20% to $125,000; 12% to $160,000; 8% to $200,000; 6% above (capped at $60,000/yr)
Advertising: Required initial Mass Marketing Campaign: approx. $6,000 in the first year; no ongoing mandatory local percentage
Ramp-Up: 7 to 9 months
Passive Ownership: Passive Ownership NOT Allowed
Passive Ownership means the owner is working 15 hours or less per week in the business.
Available Discounts
- Veterans
Discount Description: 10% off franchise fee.
Training, Support and Assistance
Co-Operative Advertising: N/A
Site Selection Assistance: N/A
Lease Negotiation Assistance: N/A
Length of Training: 13 days class time
Training Description:
Our TAB Initial Facilitator Development Program is designed to give you exactly what you need at the time when you need it. Over the initial four phases, you’ll develop, learn, and embed the necessary systems, processes, and habits, as well as access the wider TAB community to set you up for success – at the launch of your business and beyond. The program is built over 12 weeks with a combination of webinars, self-guided learning, and face-to-face training. This combination allows each trainee to build the additional skills necessary for their needs while sharing and learning from their colleagues and trainers.
There are always opportunities to learn and develop through ongoing webinars, peer collaboration with fellow franchisees, and continuous coaching support from your dedicated TAB team.
Operational and Marketing Tools:
TAB’s Operational tools include:
- StratPro: TAB’s proprietary strategic planning tool for small and mid-sized businesses
- Business Builder’s Blueprint: TAB’s proprietary gap analysis and industry benchmarking tool
- TAB Connect: TAB’s online member advisory network, virtually connecting TAB members around the world to share advice and best practices and TAB’s online facilitator network, connecting TAB franchisees and facilitators from around the world to share advice and best practices
The Alternative Board (TAB) provides an integrated approach to marketing and launching new TAB business, consisting of:
- A curated list of target prospects in select industries and revenue sizes based on propensity to become members.
- Outbound marketing campaigns, involving email marketing, telemarketing and webinars, to target prospects.
- Social media marketing to build connections, raise awareness and generate discovery meetings with prospects.
- TAB’s business networking and referral marketing programs, providing additional opportunities to generate interest from local business owners.
- Center of Influence events, educating select local influencers with special offers, so they can help spread the word about TAB.
- Customizable webpage
- Dedicated campaign manager to help navigate the launch of the business.
- Integrated Marketing Guide for Member Acquisition: Digital marketing guide combining assets and materials in the Marketing Toolkit with best practices from the field on how to use them.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for member prospecting and retention.
Financing Assistance: N/A
