Vantaggi
Sylvan has a legitimate system that really helps students. Most teachers say that working at Sylvan allows them to do teach like they always wished they could. All instruction is one to one or in small groups, with each lesson individually tailored to the individual student. Many of the franchisees are very sharp and are dedicated to providing value for the tuiton the parents pay. If they were just out for the money they would have opened a pizza place or a quick oil change business.
Svantaggi
The best year for revenues was in 1999. Sylvan is a high ticket discretionary expenditure that has suffered with the recession. There has been little money for raises at the local centers. About 25% of the franchises have gone out of business and there have been large cutbacks at the central office. Central office employees are great people but have become more and more overworked. There is distrust and conflict between management and franchisees.