2002
160
$50,100
$49,900
$59,150
No
Challenge Island stands at the forefront of children's education, offering an innovative and engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum that has captivated over 5 million children across more than 15,000 schools in the United States.Recognized as the world's #1 STEAM program, Challenge Island provides award-winning afterschool classes, in-school field trips, camps, Girl Scout workshops, parties, and more, all designed to ignite creativity and foster critical thinking skills in young learners.
As a franchisee, you become part of a dynamic and supportive community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on children's education. With a proven business model, comprehensive training, and continuous support, Challenge Island offers a unique opportunity to build a fulfilling and profitable business while contributing to the future of education.
Proven Success: Challenge Island has been consistently ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list for seven consecutive years, highlighting its strong performance and growth potential.
High Demand for STEAM Education: With the increasing emphasis on STEAM education, parents and schools are actively seeking innovative programs that provide hands-on learning experiences, making Challenge Island's offerings highly sought after.
Flexible Business Model: Operate your franchise from home with minimal overhead, allowing for a better work-life balance and the ability to serve multiple communities within your territory.
Comprehensive Support: Receive extensive onboarding, ongoing coaching, and access to a supportive franchisee community, ensuring you have the resources and guidance needed to succeed.
Established Year: 2002
Challenge Island was founded with the vision of igniting creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in children. Its founder, Sharon Duke Estroff, M.A.T., an award-winning educator and author, designed a hands-on, interactive curriculum that engages children in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning.
Franchise Units:
Since beginning franchising in 2012, Challenge Island has grown steadily, currently boasting over 160 franchise units across the United States and Canada. Each franchise operates within a defined territory, offering programs to schools, after-school centers, camps, and community organizations.
Founders & Brand Journey:
Sharon Duke Estroff leveraged her expertise in education and curriculum development to create a proprietary program that combines educational rigor with fun, interactive challenges. Challenge Island’s programs have evolved over the years to include afterschool enrichment classes, school field trips, Girl Scout workshops, birthday parties, and summer camps. Its focus on STEAM has kept it at the forefront of children’s education trends.
Ownership & Company Structure:
Challenge Island is a privately-owned company that actively supports its franchisees. The company provides extensive resources, training, and guidance to ensure all franchise units maintain consistent quality and achieve sustainable growth.
Market Presence in the USA:
Challenge Island has partnered with over 15,000 schools nationwide, impacting more than 5 million children. It is recognized as the #1 STEAM program globally and has consistently been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list, reflecting its strong growth, profitability, and industry credibility.
Industry Category:
Children’s Enrichment, STEAM Education, After-School Programs, Camps, Workshops, and Educational Entertainment.
Other Information:
The company emphasizes hands-on learning, creativity, and leadership skills in every program.
Franchisees operate within a home-based business model, reducing overhead costs and allowing flexibility in managing multiple programs across schools and community centers.
Challenge Island provides ongoing curriculum updates, ensuring programs remain innovative and aligned with current educational standards.
Challenge Island offers a robust support system to ensure franchisee success:
Pre-Launch Training: Comprehensive three-day training in Atlanta, Georgia, covering curriculum implementation, business operations, and marketing strategies.
Operational Support: Ongoing assistance with scheduling, customer service, and program delivery to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
Marketing Resources: Access to a wide range of marketing materials, including digital content, promotional templates, and social media strategies to effectively reach your target audience.
Curriculum Updates: Regular updates to the proprietary curriculum, ensuring that franchisees have access to the latest educational content and activities.
Community Engagement: Opportunities to connect with other franchisees through a supportive network, sharing best practices and experiences.
Passion for Education:
The ideal franchisee is someone who genuinely enjoys working with children and has a strong commitment to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They are enthusiastic about STEAM education and want to make a meaningful impact on young learners’ development.
Educational or Community Background:
While prior experience in education is beneficial, it is not mandatory. Individuals with experience in teaching, child development, youth programs, camps, or community outreach have a strong foundation for success. Parents, educators, or community leaders who are motivated to create engaging learning experiences for children are particularly well-suited.
Entrepreneurial Spirit:
A Challenge Island franchise requires someone who is self-motivated, goal-oriented, and entrepreneurial. Franchisees should be comfortable managing a small business, marketing programs, building relationships with schools, and leading a team of instructors. They should be proactive in driving growth and willing to invest effort into community outreach and program expansion.
Financial Capability:
Franchisees should have the financial resources to invest in the franchise, cover the initial setup costs, and sustain operations until the business reaches profitability. The recommended minimum cash investment is approximately $45,000, with a total investment ranging between $50,100 to $59,150, depending on market and location.
Community Engagement & Networking Skills:
Successful franchisees enjoy engaging with local schools, parents, community organizations, and event coordinators. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build long-term relationships are essential, as franchisees will be representing the brand in multiple community settings.
Flexibility & Adaptability:
Challenge Island programs are delivered in various formats—afterschool programs, camps, workshops, parties, and school field trips—so franchisees need to be flexible and adaptable to different environments and schedules. They should enjoy working across multiple locations and adapting programs to meet community needs.
Commitment to Quality & Excellence:
Franchisees should be dedicated to maintaining high standards of program delivery and ensuring a consistently positive experience for children, parents, and partner schools. They must follow the proprietary curriculum while bringing energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism to every session.
Personal Traits for Success:
Leadership and organizational skills to manage instructors and programs efficiently
Strong communication and presentation skills to interact with children, parents, and schools
Resilience and problem-solving ability to handle challenges and grow the business
Creativity to enhance programs and provide memorable learning experiences
| Financial Item | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $49,900 |
| Total Initial Investment | $50,100 – $59,150 |
| Minimum Cash Investment | $45,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $100,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 7% of gross revenue |
| Advertising / Marketing Fee | 2% of gross revenue |
| Working Capital | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Infrastructure / Equipment Cost | Included in total investment; mainly for curriculum materials, laptops, and classroom kits |
| Expected Break-Even Time | 12 – 18 months (depending on location and marketing efforts) |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Afterschool programs, summer camps, school field trips, parties, workshops |
| Return on Investment (ROI) | Varies by market; average ROI achievable within 2–3 years of operation |
| Territory Coverage | Exclusive territories available for franchisees to serve multiple schools & communities |
