The Alternative Board Franchise

TAB Boards International, Inc., the franchisor behind The Alternative Board, was incorporated in Colorado in January 1996 and began franchising that same month. The company adopted its present corporate name in April 2002 and is based in Westminster, Colorado. President and CEO Jason Zickerman has held the president role since 2004 and the CEO role since 2008.

TAB boards provide an alternative to a formal board of directors. Business leaders meet monthly with a trained facilitator to discuss challenges and opportunities, while individual coaching extends the relationship between meetings. The service offering also includes the StratPro strategic planning process and the HI-MAP management training program. Owners can use qualified contract facilitators subject to TAB’s training and operating requirements.

Investment and ownership model

The estimated initial investment is $77,130 to $95,405, including a $44,000 franchise fee, $24,500 initial training fee and $2,500 initial marketing fee. This estimate assumes a home office or existing office space without additional rent and includes specified additional funds for the first three months; it excludes owner salaries and certain ongoing fees. The owner or a managing party holding at least 51% of the business must personally manage and supervise daily operations. New franchises receive nonexclusive operating rights, with marketing restrictions protecting certain existing franchise territories.

TAB’s initial program combines online study with up to eight days of instruction at its headquarters or virtually. The owner or managing party must complete the required training successfully before delivering services and receives certification as a Certified TAB Facilitator. Lessons cover coaching, board facilitation, member acquisition, consultative selling, marketing and the use of TAB’s business tools. Travel, living expenses and additional participants are separate costs.

Launch support includes the operations manual, a licensed customer relationship management system, a local microsite, marketing collateral, initial member kits and access to the facilitator intranet. TAB assists with a prospect marketing list and the setup of an initial member-acquisition campaign. Support training provides up to four days of help with marketing presentations, prospect meetings and forming boards, with the franchisee paying a mentor’s travel expenses where applicable.

New owners receive an assigned business coach after launching. Ongoing services include invoicing and routine collection of member dues and assessment fees, payment reminders, membership administration and access to member resources. Additional instruction covers StratPro, HI-MAP and advanced business development, alongside an annual international conference. Optional extra support, facilitator training and conference attendance can carry separate fees.

The Alternative Board offers a professional-services business built around sustained relationships with business leaders. Monthly peer meetings and individual coaching create a regular service rhythm, while StratPro and HI-MAP broaden the tools available for planning and management development. The home-office option supports an owner whose work centers on conversations, meetings and business development.

This franchise may suit someone who enjoys asking thoughtful questions, facilitating discussion and helping business owners work through decisions. TAB provides a defined coaching and facilitation method, practical launch training and central membership administration. The franchisee brings the local relationships, sales effort and day-to-day leadership needed to recruit members and deliver useful, consistent sessions.

For more detail on the business model, read The Alternative Board Franchise: Peer Advisory, Training and Ownership.