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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a The Alternative Board Franchise

The Alternative Board (TAB) is a home-based business advisory and coaching franchise serving small and mid-sized business owners, CEOs, and executives. Founded in 1990 and franchising since 1996, TAB is one of the largest business advisory systems in the world, with around 345 offices across the US and more than 20 countries.

The model is built around peer advisory boards: franchisees facilitate monthly meetings where local business owners share experience, solve problems, and hold one another accountable. Alongside the boards, franchisees deliver one-on-one executive coaching and structured leadership programs, drawing on proprietary tools including the Blueprint planning platform, StratPro for leadership teams, and HI-MAP for management development.

Revenue combines recurring membership fees with non-membership coaching and consulting, giving the business multiple income streams. TAB is home-based and can be run solo or with a small team of independent contractors, so there is no storefront or large payroll. The brand is led by President and CEO Jason Zickerman, and franchisees operate within protected marketing territories.

Latest Resales

Why buy a The Alternative Board Franchise?

Buying a The Alternative Board franchise gives an owner a recurring-revenue advisory practice rather than a project-by-project consulting start-up. The membership model produces predictable monthly fees, and TAB reports average client retention of more than five years, which supports cash flow and makes an established practice attractive at resale.

The brand’s strength is its method and intellectual property. Incoming owners gain a recognised brand, a structured facilitation system, and proprietary diagnostic and leadership tools that an independent coach would have to build alone. Membership of the TAB Connect global network gives access to peer franchisees and shared expertise. The home-based, low-overhead structure keeps fixed costs down, and the model can be run solo or part-time, which appeals to experienced executives.

The Alternative Board Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1990

    • Franchising Since

      1996

    • New Startup Cost

      $77,130 – $95,405

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $44,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $7,500

    • Royalty Fee

      20%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Revenue or $300.00 min

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      104

    • New Units Opened *

      8

    • Units Transferred *

      0

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $92,225

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

The Alternative Board – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    TAB provides structured initial training of 82 hours classroom plus 62 hours on-the-job, covering board facilitation, the coaching method, and client acquisition. Owners use proprietary platforms including the Blueprint planning tool, StratPro and HI-MAP leadership programs, and the TAB Connect intranet linking the global franchisee network. Ongoing support spans marketing, SEO and social media, field operations, conventions, and a toll-free help line. Resale buyers should confirm with TAB what onboarding and transfer training incoming owners receive and whether TAB Connect and software access carries over with the sale.

  2. Ideal Owner

    TAB suits experienced business leaders, senior executives, or consultants who want to apply their judgment to helping other owners rather than running an operations-heavy business. The role is relationship- and facilitation-led: comfort guiding boardroom discussion, coaching one-on-one, and building local B2B referral networks matters more than any specific industry background. Strong listening, group-dynamics, and business-development skills are essential, since owners must both win members and keep them engaged. It fits self-directed operators confident selling high-value advisory services.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    The Alternative Board is recognised as a long-standing leader in business advisory boards and coaching, with a system operating since 1990. Entrepreneur ranked TAB #135 on its Top Global Franchises list in 2025 and #86 among Top Franchises for Less Than $100,000 in 2026. The brand also points to strong client outcomes, including average member retention of more than five years. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific territory's local reputation, member reviews, and referral strength.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US business coaching industry is worth roughly $20 billion in 2025 and has grown at about 4.5% a year (IBISWorld), driven by sustained demand from small and mid-sized owners for strategic guidance, accountability, and peer support. Advisory and coaching services tend to hold up across economic cycles, as owners seek help navigating both growth and uncertainty. Demand is locally delivered and relationship-based, so for resale buyers the health of a specific TAB practice depends heavily on its territory's business population and the owner's local standing.

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