Established
2011
Franchise Units
75
Minimum Investment
$65,000
Franchise Fee
$45,000
Total Investment Range
$95,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Scout Guide is a premium, hyper-local lifestyle brand that blends curated print media with powerful digital storytelling. Known for its distinctive black-and-white aesthetic and refined editorial voice, the brand has positioned itself as a trusted authority for discovering the best independently owned businesses in cities across the United States.
Unlike traditional advertising platforms, The Scout Guide operates on a relationship-driven model that celebrates local entrepreneurship, creativity, and community. Each city guide is carefully curated and features a select group of standout businesses that reflect the character, quality, and sophistication of the local market. This intentional editorial approach creates long-term brand value for featured partners rather than short-lived advertising exposure.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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Established national brand with strong credibility
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Low startup and operating costs
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Home-based business with flexible lifestyle benefits
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Recurring revenue from annual partnerships
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Exclusive territory rights in local markets
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Combination of print, digital, and social media exposure
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Relationship-focused model with long-term client retention
Background
Established Year: 2011
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Founders: Christy Evans and Mandy Kellogg Rye
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Industry Category: Local Media, Lifestyle Publishing, Advertising & Marketing
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Franchise Active Units: 75+ city guides across the United States
The Scout Guide was created to spotlight the best local businesses through thoughtfully curated city publications. What began as a single print guide grew into a nationally recognized lifestyle brand by maintaining strict editorial standards and a consistent visual identity.
As the brand expanded, it adopted a franchise-style model that empowers local entrepreneurs to own and operate exclusive city editions. Each franchisee acts as both curator and publisher, supported by a centralized corporate team that ensures brand consistency, operational guidance, and long-term scalability across the network.
Support Training
The Scout Guide offers structured support at every stage of the franchise journey.
Pre-Launch Support
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Territory onboarding and market positioning
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Brand standards and editorial training
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Sales strategy development and pricing guidance
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Access to proprietary systems and tools
Operational Support
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Ongoing coaching and performance reviews
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Best practices for partner acquisition and renewals
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Editorial planning and production workflows
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Annual goal setting and benchmarking
Marketing & Brand Support
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National brand recognition and credibility
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Centralized design templates and creative assets
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Digital publishing and social media support
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Collaboration within the franchise owner network
Training & Education
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Initial onboarding and training program
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Ongoing workshops and educational resources
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Peer support from experienced franchise owners
This support structure allows franchisees to operate independently while leveraging a proven national framework.
Ideal Candidate
The Scout Guide franchise is well-suited for entrepreneurs who enjoy building relationships and being deeply involved in their local community.
Ideal candidates include:
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Professionals with backgrounds in sales, marketing, media, or real estate
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Entrepreneurs with strong communication and networking skills
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Community-focused individuals who value quality and storytelling
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Creatively minded business owners with an eye for branding
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Investors seeking a low-overhead, lifestyle-oriented business
No publishing experience is required. Success is driven by relationship-building, consultative sales, and a passion for supporting local businesses.
Financial Detail
Estimated figures for the USA market (may vary by territory):
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Total Investment Required: USD $65,000 – $95,000
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Minimum Investment Required: USD $65,000
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Initial Franchise Fee: USD $45,000
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Franchise Units: Single-city exclusive territory
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Infrastructure Costs: Minimal (home-based model)
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Marketing Budget: Integrated into operational planning
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Working Capital: USD $10,000 – $20,000 recommended
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Royalty Fees: Ongoing royalty based on gross revenue
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Expected ROI: Strong margins driven by recurring annual partnerships
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Break-Even Timeline: Typically 12–18 months
