The Alternative Board Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)

The Alternative Board (TAB) stands out as a global business advisory franchise system that prides itself on offering a unique blend of multiple revenue streams, protected marketing territories, and strategic methodologies designed to transform the lives and businesses of owners and CEOs around the world.

Established in 1990 and headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, TAB has expanded its influence across more than twenty countries, underscoring its commitment to fostering business growth and work-life balance through its innovative franchise model​​​​.

TAB differentiates itself from traditional coaching and consulting businesses by providing a combination of membership-based and non-membership-based revenue streams, with an impressive average member retention rate of 5 years.

Initial Investment

How much does it cost to start a The Alternative Board franchise? It costs on average between $54,000 – $97,000 to start a The Alternative Board franchised center.

This investment covers expenses such as office setup, technology and equipment, marketing materials, and initial operating costs. The total required capital varies based on factors like the service offerings, location, and whether the franchisee opts to lease or buy office space. The Alternative Board offers 3 types of franchises:

Franchise TypeInitial Investment
MM TAB Business Franchise$80,375 to $96,650
NMM TAB Business Franchise$64,875 to $81,150
Small TAB Business Franchise$53,875 to $70,150

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a MM TAB Business Franchise. For more information on costs required to start a The Alternative Board franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of ExpenditureAmount
Initial Franchise Fee for an MM TAB Business Franchise$44,000
Initial Training Fee$24,500
Marketing Fee$9,865
Mentor’s Travel and Living Expenses$0 to $4,000
Your Travel and Living Expenses During Initial Training Program$0 to $5,000
Equipment$0 to $2,400
Supplies, Stationery, and Business Cards$250 to $500
Deposits and Licenses$0 to $600
Website Fees for Three Months from the Start of Service Offering$60
Accounting and Professional Fees$0 to $3,500
Additional Funds for First Three Months After the Start of Service Offering$1,700 to $2,225
Total Estimated Initial Investment*$80,375 to $96,650
* for a MM TAB Business Franchise

Average Revenue (AUV)

How much revenue can you make with a The Alternative Board franchise? A The Alternative Board franchised business makes on average $94,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.

Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:

The Alternative Board fdd item 19 extract

This compares to $118,000 yearly revenue for similar coaching franchises.

Below are 10 The Alternative Board competitors as a comparison:

The Alternative Board franchise competitors

The Alternative Board Franchise Disclosure Document

Frequently Asked Questions

How many The Alternative Board locations are there?

As of the latest available data, The Alternative Board (TAB) operates over 350 locations worldwide. These locations are primarily franchise-owned, as TAB’s business model focuses on franchising to expand its network of business advisory services.

What is the total investment required to open a The Alternative Board franchise?

The total investment required to open a The Alternative Board franchise ranges from $54,000 to $97,000.

What are the ongoing fees for a The Alternative Board franchise?

The Alternative Board (TAB) franchise requires ongoing fees, including a royalty of 20% on annual revenue up to $125,000 and 10% on revenue above that. Additionally, there is a marketing fee of 4% of monthly revenue or a minimum of $300 after the first year. These fees support TAB’s brand development and marketing efforts.

What are the financial requirements to become a The Alternative Board franchisee?

To become a franchisee of The Alternative Board (TAB), you need a minimum net worth of $300,000 and liquid capital between $79,991 and $94,466. These financial requirements ensure you have the necessary resources to establish and operate a TAB franchise successfully.

How much can a The Alternative Board franchise owner expect to earn?

The average gross sales for a The Alternative Board franchise are approximately $0.09 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $0.09 million yearly revenue can result in $14,000 EBITDA annually.

Who owns The Alternative Board?

The Alternative Board (TAB) is owned by Allen E. Fishman, who serves as the Executive Chairman. TAB operates as a franchise system, allowing individual franchisees to own and manage their respective locations.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

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