Tutor Doctor Brings Personalized Tutoring Services and Unique Franchise Ownership Opportunity to South Africa

Demand for top-tier education and tutoring services is not limited to one specific city, state or country— it is global. That is why Toronto, Canada-based Tutor Doctor is bringing its one-of-a-kind business model to new communities at a rapid rate.

For nearly 20 years, Tutor Doctor has been changing the game in the increasingly popular education segment of the franchising industry. Instead of building a model that’s centered on firm curriculum and brick and mortar centers, Tutor Doctors tailors its services for every individual client it serves. The brand’s tutors come directly to students’ homes and customize their approach to providing extra help depending on the client’s school and homework.

That one-to-one attention brings a personal element to the table that’s otherwise missing from the industry, allowing Tutor Doctor to experience consistent growth.

“Our connection to our customers and the communities that we call home are what makes us unique. Every Tutor Doctor franchisee is present in their local community, and they make an effort to be as involved with school systems and local programs as possible,” said Frank Milner, Tutor Doctor’s president.

Backed by a network of 300 franchisees operating in 550 territories, Tutor Doctor is now bringing its local and personalized education-based business model to South Africa. Franchisee Clive Robinson opened the brand’s first franchise in the country in Pretoria in September of 2017, and now, he is actively looking to continue growing the brand with the help of other existing or aspiring business owners.

“What drew me to Tutor Doctor is the great need for one-to-one tutoring in South Africa and the unique, caring approach that the brand brings to its clients. It is very different compared to other options in the country,” said Robinson. “I have a son who has struggled with school, and we have walked the journey of tutoring. So, as a parent, I appreciate what Tutor Doctor offers and the way we offer it.”

So far, Robinson’s Tutor Doctor franchise has proven to be a success. Even though the location has been open for less than a year, Robinson notes that they are already experiencing impressive growth.

He said, “Since the launch of our first location in Pretoria in September 2017, our expectations have been exceeded, and we have enrolled 30 students and 20 tutors. We have also had to employ a full-time employee to assist with the volume as we have consults and enrollments weekly.”

This type of immediate success is standard across the Tutor Doctor system in markets across the globe. That is because the brand has identified its ideal franchisee as an eager entrepreneur with marketing and general business skills who is not afraid to network. The primary function of Tutor Doctor franchisees is to manage their business operations while building awareness in their local communities to boost enrollment and foster growth.

“We equip our franchisees with all the tools and resources that they need to get their businesses off the ground. Moreover, that heightened level of support continues throughout the entire franchising process— we are ultimately here to help our franchisees, tutors, and students succeed,” said Scott Thompson, Tutor Doctor’s vice president of global franchise development.

In 2018, Tutor Doctor is hoping to open eight new franchises in South Africa. The brand is targeting the country’s three major cities for development—Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Entrepreneurs looking to invest in a local territory franchise can expect their initial investment to range from $68,500 to $96,700, with startup costs for regional territory franchises falling between $73,500 and $101,700.

“The challenges with the formal education sector, combined with Tutor Doctor’s unique and personal approach, is what positions the brand for growth in South Africa. Most tutoring companies in South Africa are center-based and offer their curriculum, so we are bringing something new to the area,” said Robinson. However, he added that what ultimately makes Tutor Doctor a good investment is its mission to be more than your average education brand. Robinson said, “Tutor Doctor cares about its students, families, and tutors. We do not sell hours; we sell hope and confidence.”