Skill Samurai: Pioneering Career-Readiness Through STEM Education

Skill Samurai is a global education franchise that equips children aged 7 to 18 with essential STEM skills, including coding, robotics, and math. Founded in 2015 by Jeff Hughes in Miami, Florida, the company began franchising in 2018 and has since expanded across the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Skill Samurai offers a flexible business model with options for mobile or brick-and-mortar operations, catering to various investment levels and community needs. The franchise's curriculum is designed to prepare students for future careers by focusing on real-world applications of technology.

Programs include after-school coding classes, holiday camps, and the unique MathCode™ Method, which integrates math and coding to enhance problem-solving skills. Skill Samurai’s “Coding to Learn” approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, and resilience in students.

Skill Samurai stands out by offering the largest in-person coding curriculum, personalized learning paths, and a clear focus on career readiness. Its mission to make STEM education accessible and engaging positions the brand as a leader in preparing the next generation for a technology-driven future.

Training

Skill Samurai provides a structured training program aimed at ensuring franchisees are prepared to effectively operate their business. This training includes initial instruction, ongoing education, and optional support to accommodate new hires and operational updates.

1. Initial Training Program: Required for the Operating Principal and Key Manager, this training is conducted in Miami, Florida (or another designated location). It includes a week-long session completed no more than 60 days before opening and may include follow-up onsite training 4 to 6 weeks after the business launch.
2. Supplemental Training for Additional Attendees: While the initial training is free for two representatives, additional attendees can participate for a fee of $750 per person, subject to space availability.
3. Ongoing and Refresher Training: Skill Samurai may offer mandatory or optional ongoing training, including refresher and advanced courses. These can be delivered via webinars, videoconferences, or in-person, and optional sessions may carry a fee.
4. New Hire Training: Additional training is available for newly hired personnel. The franchisor may require attendance for staff members or impose additional training based on operational needs.
5. Manuals and System Updates: Franchisees receive access to an extensive Operations Manual (approx. 200 pages) and ongoing updates to systems, techniques, and procedures relevant to business operations.

Territory Protection

Skill Samurai provides its franchisees with a protected territory once a specific site is selected and approved. This protected area typically covers around 150,000 individuals and is defined by geographic markers such as zip codes, streets, or a radius—usually two miles around the business location.

Within this territory, the franchisor agrees not to establish or license another Skill Samurai business using its system and trademarks. However, Skill Samurai clarifies that this protection is not absolute or exclusive in a traditional sense.

The franchisor reserves the right to engage in business activities under different names or distribute products and services through alternative channels—such as e-commerce, media, or retail stores—even within a franchisee's protected territory. Therefore, while direct competition from another Skill Samurai franchise is restricted within the defined area, indirect competition from the franchisor’s other business ventures or brand extensions may still occur.