Nutty Scientists gearing up for expansion to UK
A business based in Enniscorthy has announced its plans to expand its franchise across Ireland and into the UK market.
Nutty Scientists was launched in February by David Hayes and Alan Maher and such is the quick rate of expansion of the company and the interest in the business that the two have already signed agreements to award franchises in Kerry, Cork and Limerick.
Mr Maher has also said the two are in talks to expand the franchise into two other areas of the country over the coming months.
‘We have been really happy with the level of enquiries from people around the country who want to talk to us about opening up their own Nutty Scientists franchise,’ he said.
Nutty Scientists is an internationally renowned children’s enrichment franchise which currently operates in over 50 countries worldwide.
It’s the leading provider of interactive programmes for children related to science, technology, engineering and arts, and mathematics (STEM) learning.
In the wake of the national interest in their business Mr Hayes and Mr Maher are now looking to expand into the lucrative UK market which could result in the development of many jobs here at home.
‘We have the potential to create a lot of full time and part time jobs across the country,’ said Mr Hayes.
However, proud of their Wexford background the two are keen to keep the base of their operations in the model county.
‘Wexford will be the Irish and UK headquarters for Nutty Scientists,’ said Mr Hayes.
He also commented that all operational support and training will be based out of the Co Wexford offices - which are located in Enniscorthy.
People who wish to become a Nutty Scientist franchisee pay a once-off licence fee which is calculated based on the size of the territory in which they wish to operate.
Upon signing up franchisees become part of a world leading international brand with a support team helping them to establish their business.
‘It is a proven, successful business formula that has achieved phenomenal success across the globe,’ said Mr Hayes.
Franchisees in successful businesses enjoy high profit margins and low fixed overheads.
‘We’re looking for people who understand the world of business, who have a background in education, science, the arts or a combination of them all,’ said Mr Hayes.
‘We go through an approval process that helps us determine if [a person] is the right franchisee and if Nutty Scientists is the right franchise for [them],’ he added.
The Nutty Scientists business model has been running since 1996 and while there are other companies in Ireland using STEM to engage children and teach them various skills Mr Hayes said: ‘Nobody in Ireland or the UK can offer what we have.’
Through Nutty Scientists children learn in an imaginative and stimulating way and according to Mr Hayes and Mr Maher the programme provides ‘edutainment’ [mixing education and entertainment] to engage children.
Franchisees can avail of a number of potential revenue streams derived from mobile or lab based activities including holiday camps; after-school classes, in-school workshops, preschool programmes, shows, parties and a wide ranfge of awareness programmes., workshops and seminars.
The programmes are primarily aimed at children aged between 3 and 16.
However, Nutty Scientists also provide a range of services to the corporate sector including team building and family days, brand activation and product launches.