Mad Science is a children’s education and entertainment franchise founded in 1985 in Montreal, Canada by brothers Ariel and Ron Shlien. Headquartered at 8360 Bougainville Street, Suite 201, Montreal, QC, it delivers hands-on STEM experiences for kids aged 3–12 through after-school programs, birthday parties, workshops, special events, and camps.
The business model combines science enrichment with entertainment, aiming to spark lifelong curiosity in biology, chemistry, robotics, and more.
Franchising began in 1995 with initial units in Toronto and Miami. The brand has expanded to over 150 locations in more than 20 countries, reaching over a million children annually.
Mad Science now supports both single-unit and area-development franchise models, offering protected territories, low startup costs, and scalable programs that adapt to different markets and school systems.
Mad Science differentiates itself through a proprietary 200+ hour curriculum developed by an in-house R&D team. Its programs include interactive shows, NASA partnerships, and even theatrical productions.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Mad Science offers franchisees a structured and extensive training system to support their operations:
Mad Science offers franchisees a defined geographic “Territory” within which they may operate their franchised business. This territory is not exclusive but is protected to a degree: the franchisor will not license or operate another Mad Science franchise within the same area.
Franchisees must limit marketing and promotional efforts strictly to their territory and may only operate there unless otherwise permitted. However, Mad Science and its affiliates reserve broad rights to engage in other business activities within the territory.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
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GradePower Learning is an education franchise offering tutoring and academic coaching programs, serving students from pre-K through college prep, and known for its proprietary cognitive learning approach, customized study plans, and learning centers that build confidence and strong study skills.
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Nutty Scientists is an educational franchise offering interactive science programs for children, combining fun and learning through hands-on activities and experiments.
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STEM Builders is an educational franchise that offers STEM-focused programs to inspire and equip students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
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The Tutoring Club offers personalized academic support for students, focusing on improving grades, confidence, and study habits.
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