Go into business FOR yourself, not BY yourself! Open your own ABA Franchise to get all the training and support you need to have a successful, profitable healthcare business.
Existing Markets: TX
Available Markets: United States Only
AL, AK, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, ID, KS, LA, MA, MS, MO, MT, NE, NM, NJ, NV, NH, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WV, WY
My name is Nichole Daher and I am the founder of Success On The Spectrum and SOS Franchising.
I never planned to be a mother. I never planned to own an ABA franchise. As fate would have it, I met and married the man of my dreams. Along with him, I gained two beautiful daughters, one of which, has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Loving this child radically changed how I viewed the world. I wanted to do anything to help her have a happy, independent life.
As I searched for ABA therapy, I found that most treatment centers in Houston had long waiting lists. One ABA center owner told me that I should give up searching, because my daughter would never be approved by insurance. It made me so angry that a child who needed help would be so harshly rejected.
Instead of giving up, I decided that if I couldn’t find an ABA center… then I would open one myself. My husband generously gave me his life-savings and his full moral support. With a little hesitance, I left my career in nuclear medicine and took the scary leap into owning my own business.
In 2015, I founded Success On The Spectrum (my brilliant husband picked the name). I hired the best Behavior Analyst and Behavior Technician that I could find and taught myself to do insurance billing. I learned a lot (some by trial and error)… but I felt happy to go to work. It felt so good to help other children.
In 2018, I took another scary leap. I founded SOS Franchising. The original Behavior Analyst and Behavior Technician that I hired are still with me. Together, our new mission is to teach others how to open and run successful ABA centers. I want to help standardize quality treatment and make it available to more kids, in more areas. I hope to enlist others who seek a career that doesn’t steal family time but also offers financial independence.
Today, my daughter is thriving in a typical school, with no special accommodations. I owe all of my accomplishments to her and my supportive husband.
You will need approximately $300,000
to open and run your business for 4 months
Franchise Fee | $20,000.00 | The Initial Franchise Fee is a one-time, lump sum payment to SOS Franchising at the time the Franchise Agreement is signed (Non-refundable) |
System Advertising Fees
(x 4 months) |
$400 | $100/month paid to Success On The Spectrum.
starts when first client is served. System advertising fee is paid to SOS Franchising and is used for evaluation of new services, technologies, equipment, product development, market research, media production costs, preparing advertising, promotion and marketing materials |
Local Advertising Fees
(x 4 months) |
$300 | You must spend a minimum of $300 per quarter on local advertising. You must report your local advertising expenditures to SOS Franchising |
Monthly Royalty Fees
(x 4 months) |
$2000 | Monthly royalty fees paid to SOS Franchising starts when first client is served. The first year open is $500/month, the second year open is $700/month, every month after that is $900/month |
Travel / Lodging | $5,000 | You and 2 other key employees must attend the Initial Training for 2 weeks at our corporate office in Houston TX. You are responsible for your own travel, lodging and food expenses. |
Leasehold Improvements | $25,000 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay between $0 – $50,000 in construction cost before moving into your office space. You may also have to get a construction permit from the city |
Rent
(x 4 months) |
$65,000 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay between $10,000-$15,000 per month in rent for 3500-5000sqft. This number includes a deposit and 4 months of rent. |
Utilities
(x 4 months) |
$6,000 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay about $1500/mo for electricity, phones, internet, water, trash, etc |
Signage | $6,000 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay between $2,000-$15,000 to put signs outside your building, on your front door, and inside your lobby. You may also have to get a sign permit from the city |
Technology | $10,000 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay between $8,000-$15,000 for computers or laptops, tablets, printers, copier, scanner, router, modem, flat screen televisions, camera surveillance system, phones |
Software
(x 4 months) |
$2500 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay between $1500-$3000 for Anti-virus / Anti-Malware, Billing Software, Data Collection software, Electronic Medical Records, Email, etc |
Furniture | $14,000 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay between $5,000-$30,000 for desks, chairs, toys, decor, fridge, etc |
Office Supplies | $5,000 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay between $4,000-$6,000 to stock office supplies such as ink, paper, clip boards, paper shredder, laminators, etc |
Grand Opening | $2,000 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay between $1,000-$3,000 for your grand opening party, including marketing, food, decorations, activities, DJ, etc |
Payroll
(x 4 months) |
$100,000 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay a BCBA $6,500/mo, RBTs $10,000/mo, office manager and yourself $8,000/mo |
Uniforms | $500 | You must purchase uniforms from SOS Franchising for each RBT |
Insurance
(x 4 months) |
$2400 | Varies, but we estimate you will pay $600/mo for Insurance. We will provide you with the guidelines for purchasing General liability, Professional liability, property insurance, business interruption insurance, and workers comp insurance |
Just In Case | $30,000 | It’s always good to have additional funds for unexpected operating expenses and cash flow |
According to the CDC, Autism affects about 1 in 59 children, meaning that 2.5% of the U.S. population has autism. These numbers will likely increase as individuals in underserved markets are better identified and receive an accurate diagnosis. According to Autism Speaks, the number of Americans with autism spectrum disorders has increased tenfold in 40 years.
The autism population is grossly under serviced. Greater awareness, reduction in the social stigma, and better funding are leading more families to seek treatment. Most providers report waiting lists for both diagnosis and treatment.
Currently, the ABA market is growing at twice the rate of other multi-site healthcare businesses. The autism services market in the U.S. is conservatively estimated to be valued at $5-7 billion dollars and growing. This includes programs that serve individuals with autism as well as drugs targeting behavioral issues in autism. ABA programs are estimated to generate $2B- 7B annual revenue, with a TAM (total addressable market) of up to $70 billion. The ABA therapy market is expected to grow at a 25% CAGR over the next 3-5 years.
The rise of autism rates in the U.S. has spurred most states to adopt autism health insurance mandates, most of which identify ABA as a covered autism therapy. In 2014, the APBA reported that private health insurance paid for 42% of all ABA services, followed by TRICARE, at 21%, and public health plans (Medicaid and Medicare), at 22.5%. As of 2019, there are plans offered on the Affordable Care Act marketplace that cover ABA.
Reimbursements rates vary based on the insurance carrier and location. Rural areas have provider shortages for ABA services and may get higher rates than urban areas. Private insurance carriers typically pay more than state based Medicaid/Medicare programs.
As you sign contracts to become in-network with health insurance carriers, you can negotiate your own rates. In fall 2014, state Medicaid reimbursement rates ranged from $25 to $75/hr for a RBT and $55.50 to $125/hr for a BCBA. In 2013, reimbursement rates in the commercial insurance sector varied from $24.64 to $160 /hr for a RBT and $36.90 to $196.50 /hr for a BCBA. In May 2019, Tricare reimbursement rates are up to $76/hr for a RBT and $135/hr for a BCBA.
SOS Franchising will assist your ABA franchise in securing in-network contracts with local health insurance agencies. We will also teach you how to bill the health insurance agency for services rendered.