The Alternative Board

Since 1990, The Alternative Board (TAB)® started revolutionizing the business landscape. Since then, our franchisees have helped over 30,000 businesses grow in more than 20 countries.

Request introduction

Ways to own

Standard franchise

Single unit Owner-operator (active) Home-based

Money you'll need

Personal cash (liquid capital)
$97,000
Cash or near-cash you contribute yourself
Total project cost
$77,130 – $95,405
Fee, build-out, equipment and early working capital
Net worth required
$300,000
Initial franchise fee
$44,000
Included in total project cost

Ongoing fees

Royalty
20% - 6%
Advertising / brand fund
Not disclosed
Other recurring fees
None
Agreement term
Not disclosed

Your role

Ownership style
Owner-operator (active)
Expected time
Not disclosed
Home-based
Yes
Staffing
1
Location
Not disclosed

Training and support

Training
: Training and support program details: Our TAB Initial Facilitator Development Program is designed to give you exactly what you need at the time when you need it. Over the initial four phases, you’ll develop, learn, and embed the necessary systems, processes, and habits, as well as access the wider TAB community to set you up for success – at the launch of your business and beyond. The program is built over 12 weeks with a combination of webinars, self-guided learning, and face-to-face training. This combination allows each trainee to build the additional skills necessary for their needs while sharing and learning from their colleagues and trainers. There are always opportunities to learn and develop through ongoing webinars, peer collaboration with fellow franchisees, and continuous coaching support from your dedicated TAB team. Support TAB provides an integrated approach to marketing and launching a new TAB business, consisting of: A curated list of target prospects in select industries and revenue sizes based on propensity to become members. Outbound marketing campaigns, involving email marketing, telemarketing, and webinars, to target prospects. Social media marketing to build connections, raise awareness and generate discovery meetings with prospects. TAB’s business networking and referral marketing programs, providing additional opportunities to generate interest from local business owners. Center of Influence events, educating select local influencers with special offers, so they can help spread the word about TAB. Customizable webpage Dedicated campaign manager to help navigate the launch of the business. Integrated Marketing Guide for Member Acquisition: Digital marketing guide combining assets and materials in the Marketing Toolkit with best practices from the field on how to use them. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for member prospecting and retention. Cost for Training: $24,500 Lodging and airfare included: No Site Selection Assistance: N/A Lease Negotiation Assistance: N/A Mentor following training: Yes Length of mentoring Franchisee: Ongoing
Ongoing support
Mentoring: Yes; Ongoing

Financing information

SBA Franchise Directory
Listed (per source data)

Financing information describes options the franchisor mentions. It is not a loan offer or approval; lenders decide based on your circumstances. An SBA directory listing does not mean any loan is guaranteed. What it means.

Brand facts

Founded
1990
Franchising since
1996
Franchised units
Not disclosed
Company-owned units
8
Headquarters
Westminster, CO

Where it's offered

State-level availability as reported in source materials. A state being listed doesn't mean a territory is open near you — an advisor confirms specific areas with the franchisor.

AlaskaOffered
AlabamaOffered
ArkansasOffered
ArizonaOffered
CaliforniaOffered
ColoradoOffered
ConnecticutOffered
District of ColumbiaOffered
DelawareOffered
FloridaOffered
GeorgiaOffered
HawaiiOffered
IowaOffered
IdahoOffered
IllinoisOffered
IndianaOffered
KansasOffered
KentuckyOffered
LouisianaOffered
MassachusettsOffered
MarylandOffered
MaineOffered
MichiganOffered
MinnesotaOffered
MissouriOffered
MississippiOffered
MontanaOffered
North CarolinaOffered
North DakotaOffered
NebraskaOffered
New HampshireOffered
New JerseyOffered
New MexicoOffered
NevadaOffered
New YorkOffered
OhioOffered
OklahomaOffered
OregonOffered
PennsylvaniaOffered
Rhode IslandOffered
South CarolinaOffered
South DakotaOffered
TennesseeOffered
TexasOffered
UtahOffered
VirginiaOffered
VermontOffered
WashingtonOffered
WisconsinOffered
West VirginiaOffered
WyomingOffered

States not shown: availability not confirmed.

Confirm availability in my area

About this information

Listing reviewed by our editors on October 13, 2026. Source materials dated June 18, 2026. Figures come from franchisor-provided materials and can change; always confirm against the brand's current Franchise Disclosure Document.

We don't publish revenue, profit or return estimates. If a franchisor provides financial performance information, it appears in Item 19 of its FDD with the context needed to interpret it.

Related business models

Business & Commercial Services

World Options

World Options franchisees provide business customers local & international shipping services through the World Options online shipping portal.

Semi-absentee option Home-based option Financing info
Total investment
From $88.6K
Cash required
From $100K
Business & Commercial Services

WaveMAX Laundry

Since 2012 WaveMAX Coin Laundry based in Jacksonville FL has focused its business model on developing the prototypical market & store that can scale and sustain a national chain of coin only laundromats.

Semi-absentee option Financing info
Total investment
From $1M
Cash required
From $400K
Business & Commercial Services

Signworld

Signworld is a national organization with more than 340 independently owned sign companies, which provide commercial custom signage and graphics in a B2B environment. It's personable, creative, rewarding and ideal for people-oriented individuals who have the desire to learn how to manage a sales and production business. Our Signworld affiliates are a cut above traditional sign companies. The ongoing support and training provided along with state-of-the-art equipment will leave the competition be

Financing info
Total investment
From $168.6K
Cash required
From $50K
Compare
Compare now