"Selling your business is our business"
Fully describe the business's activities?
When a student is first introduced to us, we diagnose the issue by carrying out math, Afrikaans, and English assessments. These assessments help us identify the studentâs strengths and weaknesses, so we can build an individual lesson plan and set a goal and timeframe to get there.
Itâs important to set both short-term and long-term goals so the student and parent/ guardian experience a continuous achievement journey.
Our curriculum or proven system has been developed over 45 years. It is designed to help each student progress in their learning and move closer to their goal.
The Kip curriculum is:
⢠Carefully graded â The work gets harder every week, helping students progress
⢠Delivered via supplied lesson plans â This keeps weekly teacher prep to a minimum
Once a student is in our system, the teacher can proactively make adjustments to suit the studentâs learning needs in the session. Unlike in school, the teacher can work at the studentâs pace.
Core services
a. Mathematics â Includes remedial work and Kip Maths Expert for enrichment.
b. Reading - Offered for children who are non-readers to children who have minor problems.
c. The programme also caters for children with specific learning disabilities (such as dyslexia). It is also suited to adult literacy courses.
d. English â Offered to remediate any problems in grammar, spelling, comprehension, reading and phonics.
e. Afrikaans â Offered to remediate any problems in grammar, spelling, comprehension, vocabulary and reading.
Additional services
a. Study Skills course â Offered to help children structure their learning and discover how they learn and how to do it properly.
b. English as a Second Language course â Offered to those second language speakers who need help to understand and use English correctly. For instance adults with English as a second language working in South Africa.
c. Little Learners course â Offered to enrich and prepare Grade R learners for Grade One.
d. Get Ready for School course â Offered to enrich and prepare 4-year-olds to learn to read and use numbers accurately. We have used this as an ongoing programme instead of a short course.
By focusing on our Kip Kids and following our âbest in the worldâ tutoring method and business model, we can drive more profits and, in turn, help more students achieve their highest potential.
While itâs the small efforts every day that help us turn our flywheel, the big push comes from the work we do with the students. When we put 100 per cent into every moment of every lesson, we can help our students reach their goals, achieve our vision and change lives.
How long has the business been established?
The business has been going for over 20 years. The Kip McGrath Company was established by Kip and Dugnija McGrath in Australia in 1974. In 1996 Brian and Retha Sleigh imported the Kip McGrath Education Centres concept to South Africa.
How long has the owner had the business?
8 years
How does the business operate on a daily basis?
Classes occur from 3 pm to 450pm Monday to Friday and Saturday it is from 8 am to 1240pm. Admin works from 10 am to 6 pm.
What Advertising/Marketing is carried out?
Social Media: The franchise maintains our FB page but as a franchisee, we add our local flavour/news to it. My FB is linked to Instagram. I also post to advertising WHATSAPP groups. The centre has GOOGLE MY BUSINESS.
Networking to expose the franchise to different parental groups.
Liaising with principals and teachers - showing them the progress of the children in their classes to ensure that we receive referrals from each local school.
Sponsoring report envelopes each term to expose the business.
The Internet: Our webpage on www.kipmcgrath.co.za
My Expertise: Offering my expertise to schools, moms groups or networking groups.
Print media: Distributing pamphlets, and adverts in select publications such as Mumâs Mail, ZA Town and Southlands Sun.
Directories: The centre is on various directory platforms. Eg: www.schooandcollegelistings.com and the FNB directory.
Potential avenues I have pursued in the past: :
Publicity and sponsorships of local school functions to maintain a high profile in local circles.
Publishing articles: Via Mumâs Mail and www.momsmatter.co.za
The franchise assists with GOOGLE ADWORDS.
There is a marketing department in the UK to assist with marketing.
What competition exists?
freelancing teachers, schools offer extra lessons, other franchises
What are the seasonal trends?
We enrol all year round however we enrol most during April and August. This is after term 1 and before year-end exams.
Is the business VAT Registered?
No
Are there up-to-date Management Accounts available?
Yes
How could the profitability of the business be improved?
By the owner teaching 40 students him/herself. This will increase revenue by R16000 per month. I currently do not teach here, but I do teach 40 students at my other franchise.
What is the total staff complement?
5 teachers â part-time, one admin part-time and one admin full-time. Full-time admin works for both franchises, but if the buyer does not want a full-time administrator then i will employ her at the other franchise..
Give a breakdown of staff/ functions/ length of service?
Teachers: All part-time teachers must be QUALIFIED teachers.
T1 - 3 sessions. Started in 2016
T2 - 3 sessions. Started in 2019
T3 - 3 Sessions. Started in Sep 2023
T4 - 3 sessions. Started in 2021.
T5 - 2 sessions. Started in 2022.
Admin:
A1 â works about 16 hours a week during sessions. He does physical admin work. Started Feb 2023.
A2 â works Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm. She does admin work for 2 franchises. Started in June 2023 but had been in the business for 5 years before that.
Do any have management potential?
Yes 1 teacher does.
How involved is the Owner in running the business?
Only a weekly in-person attendance and some remote management.
When does the current lease end?
31 December 2024
There are tenants subleased by the franchisee. They are on a month-to-month lease with an escalation of 10% every 1 November. No deposit. The tenants are a Kip teacher and one Kip admin.
Is there an option of renewal & what period?
The landlord would like to sign a new contract on takeover but it can be renewed in Jan 2025.
What is the annual escalation %?
There is no annual escalation currently.
What are the trading hours?
Lessons are 3 pm and 4h30pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 12h40pm on Saturdays.
Admin works 10 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 7h30am to 12h40pm Saturdays.
What is the square meters of the business?
160 square metres
Is a copy of the lease available?
Yes
Do you require a licence?
No
What lease deposit and/or other surety is required?
One month's rent
What are the main assets of the business?
Computers, furniture and fittings
Are any items not included in the sale?
No
What is their overall condition?
Good working order
Do any require repairing?
No
How have they been valued ?
Fair second hand value
Which assets are on lease/HP and with whom?
Samsung printer
Will Seller settle or Buyer to take over?
Flexible but probably better for buyer to take over
Are copies of agreements available?
Yes
Are they presently insured?
Yes
Strengths?
It is part of a FRANCHISE system:
All materials have been tried and tested.
Training, support and advice are given through all stages.
Advertising and marketing methods are tested and taught.
Business and Educational principles are taught.
The franchise is affordable to any teacher who owns a home.
The curriculum and software are researched and developed continuously.
There is a definite NEED:
i. There is a desperate need for professional extra classes in Mathematics and English.
ii. During continued unemployment, emphasis is placed on good education.
iii. There is a fear of declining educational standards due to class sizes and funding.
iv. Many African children find the English in their schools too difficult to handle. Others need English to be able to attend a better school.
Childrenâs RESULTS IMPROVE at school. That is reading ages, comprehension ages, spelling ages, maths levels and a general upliftment in their other unrelated subjects.
Our WHOLISTIC APPROACH. We refer to specialists and remedial schools if there is a need.
Our POSITIVE APPROACH. We work on every childâs attitude and ego so that they can feel better about themselves and want to work positively.
Proven results
Small engaging sessions
Adjustable tailored programmes
Quality goal-led lessons.
Student devoted teachers
Face-to-face online programmes
South Africa has a head office in the UK. We have support through a Business Manager â BD. We have termly individual meetings and annual regional meetings. They support Business Development meetings scheduled throughout the month. We have a JIRA Ticket system so we can communicate effectively with Head Office.
The franchisee gets:
a.Training in the Kip McGrath teaching methods;
b. use of the materials; administration; business management and advertising (materials include tutorials, academic and software).
c. Ongoing support in educational and business aspects of running the centres.
d. Assistance in the advertising of each franchised centre.
e. Provision of ongoing supplies of education materials of Kip McGrath Education Centres (SA) as supplied by the franchisor.
f. Operations manuals, educational materials, textbooks, computer programmes.
g. Assistance in the establishment of the centre.
h. Regular Business manager meetings to offer advice and assistance in the ongoing development of the franchise.
i. Further training if necessary
We have monthly KZN forum meetings where franchisees support and empower each other. There are bi-annual Kip McGrath conferences but currently only in the UK and Australia.
Weaknesses?
The DISPOSABLE INCOME:
1. In the current economic climate many parents will not be able to afford the help their children need.
2. Parents believe that the school should provide all the educational needs for their child and thus they need not pay for extra lessons.
RESTRICTIONS OF PROGRAMMES:
1. The English programme at a high school level is not conducive for enrichment purposes. The introduction of the Essay Writing program has not solved this problem holistically. Thus, supplementation is needed from the Centre Director.
Opportunities?
There is a desperate need for professional extra classes in Mathematics and English.
1. During continued unemployment, emphasis is placed on good education.
2. There is a fear of declining educational standards due to class sizes and funding.
3. Many African children find the English in their schools too difficult to handle. Others need English to be able to attend a better school.
Study Skills courses can be conducted in schools. This has been done pre-Covid at my other franchise is an income earner.
NBT courses for matriculants. An area that needs to be explored.
Adopting a school in need.
Threats?
AI technology
Changes to curriculum with short lead times
The risk of highly valued, key teaching staff moving on to other centres/academies.
parental preference â an increase in âparent powerâ has allowed parents more freedom of choice over their childâs education.
What is the reason for the sale?
I want to concentrate on one centre and grow it to its true potential.
Why is this a good business?
Is designed for learners with a limited ability to concentrate (Attention Deficit Disorder).
Is computer-aided but teacher-controlled.
Is audio-aided for reading lessons.
Has a system of weekly/monthly report backs to the parents.
No franchise offers a total package of the subjects that are used by educationalists to:
1. test school readiness.
2. test a learner's school progress.
With more than 550+ centres in 20 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, weâre one of the largest providers of tutoring delivered by qualified teachers globally. Over the past 49 years, weâve helped millions of children around the world struggling in English and maths catch up, keep up and grow in confidence.
There is no better way to get up in the morning and know that you are going to change a childâs life by supporting them through their academics. We help children reach their true potential and it is the most satisfying work. Teaching and owning your own business shaping childrenâs lives is why I love this franchise and help develop it.
PRICE R350 000 - this would be what a new/ 'empty' franchise costs! Fantastic value for money!!
