Success On The Spectrum (SOS) is the first and largest Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) autism therapy franchise in the United States. Founded in 2015 by Nichole Daher, an autism mom, the brand began franchising in 2018 and has grown to 81 open locations across 20 states with 125 territories sold. SOS centers provide ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy in sensory-friendly environments designed specifically for children on the spectrum.
At a Glance
Minimum Liquid Capital Required: $100,000
Ownership Model: Owner-operator (CEO role, ~30 hours/week)
Location Type: Retail/commercial therapy center
Time Commitment: Full-time, hands-on involvement required
Experience Required: None in autism or healthcare; leadership and people skills essential
Top 5 Reasons to Invest
- First ABA franchise in the US with first-mover brand recognition and trust
- Insurance reimbursement of $9,000-$10,000 per child per month creates recession-proof revenue
- Royalty capped at $5,000/month regardless of revenue — keeps more profit as you scale
- $701,944 average gross revenue exceeds children’s services sector by 62%
- University partnerships provide steady pipeline of qualified BCBA and RBT staff
Success On The Spectrum (SOS Franchising)
One in 36 children is now diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Demand for ABA therapy far exceeds supply, and health insurance is legally required to cover it. SOS positioned itself as the first franchise to address this gap — and remains the largest.
The Revenue Model:
ABA therapy is classified as an essential healthcare service. Insurance companies reimburse an average of $9,000-$10,000 per month per child. SOS bills weekly with payments typically deposited within 30 days. This isn’t fee-for-service volatility — it’s recurring, insurance-backed revenue.
Beyond insurance, school districts contract with SOS centers for alternative placement. Schools are legally required to accommodate children with disabilities and will pay directly for full- or part-time placements, even without a formal diagnosis. Cash-pay social skills classes for higher-functioning children add a third revenue stream.
The Founder Story:
Nichole Daher founded SOS after experiencing the autism therapy system as a parent. That lived experience shaped every aspect of the model — from sensory-friendly center design to parent viewing rooms with live video feeds. Today, 50% of SOS franchise owners are autism parents or siblings. They understand the mission because they’ve lived it.
The Clinical Model:
SOS centers maintain a 1:1 child-to-teacher ratio, ensuring each client receives focused attention. Centers feature individual therapy rooms, group learning spaces, and sensory-friendly environments. Weekly parent training sessions and regular progress updates keep families engaged. Services span ages 18 months to 18 years with individualized treatment plans.
Why Franchise With SOS?
- First-mover brand advantage — As the first ABA franchise in the US, SOS established national brand recognition and trust before competitors entered the space. Families and referral sources recognize the name.
- Insurance-backed recurring revenue — Health insurance reimburses $9,000-$10,000 per child per month, creating stable, recession-proof income. SOS bills weekly with 30-day payment cycles — predictable cash flow, not accounts receivable chaos.
- Capped royalty structure — Royalty is 5% of gross sales, capped at $5,000/month. As your revenue grows, you keep more. This rewards scale and protects profitability at higher volumes.
- Multiple revenue streams — Insurance reimbursement is your primary engine, but school district contracts and cash-pay social skills classes diversify income and reduce single-source dependency.
- Staffing pipeline built in — National university partnerships provide access to qualified BCBAs and RBTs. You’re not competing for talent in a vacuum — you have institutional recruiting relationships from day one.
ABF Exclusive Insights
Market Analysis: CDC data shows 1 in 36 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder — up from 1 in 44 just years ago. Demand for ABA services continues to outpace supply in most markets. Insurance coverage through commercial plans and Medicaid is legally mandated, making this one of the most stable healthcare revenue models available to franchisees.
Competitive Advantage: SOS was first to franchise ABA therapy and remains the largest. The founder’s personal experience as an autism parent shaped operational details competitors can’t replicate — parent viewing rooms, sensory-friendly design, family-centered communication. Half of all franchisees are autism parents or siblings, creating authentic community connection that corporate-developed competitors lack.
ABF Timing Insight: With 81 locations open and 125 territories sold across 20 states, SOS has proven the model but still has significant white space. Markets in the Midwest and West Coast remain underserved. Franchisees entering now get established brand recognition with early-stage territory availability in growing regions.
Training and Support
Initial Training: Two-week intensive hands-on training at corporate headquarters in Houston. Covers clinical operations, business management, insurance billing, HR, marketing, and community outreach. You receive the full Operations Manual and access to instant chat support.
Site Selection: SOS provides demographic surveys for your target area, helps identify optimal locations with high child populations and low competition, and connects you with commercial real estate experts. Blueprints for center design, layout, and nautical-themed décor align with brand standards.
Staff Acquisition: Recommended hiring guidelines, interview training, and employment forms provided. National university partnerships create a pipeline of qualified BCBAs and RBTs — candidates are available before you start recruiting.
Marketing Support: Google Maps listing, Facebook page, and custom webpage created for you. Pre-made ads in photo and video formats provided. Reputation management services included. Community outreach event guidance helps you build referral relationships.
Ongoing Quality Assurance: Bi-annual quality checks ensure clinical and operational standards. Continuous training access keeps you current on clinical advancements and regulatory changes.
Who Are We Looking For
The ideal SOS franchisee is a hands-on, mission-driven entrepreneur ready to work approximately 30 hours per week as the CEO of their clinic. You don’t need autism or healthcare experience — the majority of existing franchisees are autism parents with no formal ABA training. What you need is leadership ability, strong people skills, and genuine passion for helping children.
You’ll interview and hire staff, conduct performance reviews, manage payroll, and lead local marketing efforts. Newly diagnosed children come with anxious parents — your ability to form personal bonds and build trust directly impacts retention and referrals. Statistics show the more present an owner is, the more successful the business becomes. SOS will not sell to “silent” owners.
Franchise Fit & Capital Readiness
Who Is NOT A Good Fit for This Franchise
- Are you seeking passive or absentee ownership? SOS requires hands-on CEO involvement. Statistics show present owners outperform absent ones, and silent ownership is not permitted.
- Are you uncomfortable with healthcare billing complexity? Insurance reimbursement is the primary revenue engine — you must be willing to learn the system or hire someone who knows it.
- Do you lack people skills for anxious parents? Newly diagnosed families need reassurance and trust. Your ability to connect personally drives retention and referrals.
- Are you unwilling to commit to ~30 hours/week? This is a CEO role, not a side investment. You manage staff, operations, marketing, and community relationships.
- Do you have less than $100,000 in liquid capital? Total investment averages $500,000 with SBA financing available, but you need sufficient liquidity for cash requirements.
If you answered yes to any of these, this franchise may not be the right fit.
Investment Readiness Check
- Minimum Liquid Capital: $100,000 — required for consideration
- Total investment: $320,500 – $848,200 (average ~$500,000)
- Franchise fee: $45,000 (15% veteran discount available)
- Ownership timeline: Expect 6-12 months from signing to opening depending on buildout
- Credit and financial history reviewed during qualification
All financial thresholds are set by the franchisor and are non-negotiable during approval.
Franchisor Authority Disclosure
America’s Best Franchises provides guidance and introductions. Final approval criteria, financial thresholds, and territory decisions are determined exclusively by the franchisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need autism or healthcare experience? A. No. The majority of existing franchisees are autism parents with no formal ABA training or degree. SOS founder had no experience when she opened the first center. You need leadership skills, people skills, and passion for the mission — SOS trains you and your key employees on everything else.
Q. How does the business make money? A. Three revenue streams: (1) Health insurance reimbursement averaging $9,000-$10,000 per child per month — this is your primary engine. SOS bills weekly with payments within 30 days. (2) School district contracts for alternative placement — schools pay directly, no diagnosis required. (3) Cash-pay social skills classes for higher-functioning children.
Q. How will I find clients? A. Demand is so high that clients find you. SOS creates your Google listing, Facebook page, and webpage. They provide pre-made ads and guide you on autism treatment directory placement. Community outreach events build referral relationships with schools, pediatricians, and family networks.
Q. How do I find qualified staff? A. SOS has national university partnerships providing a pipeline of BCBAs and RBTs. You’ll need one BCBA and an Office Manager before opening, then one RBT for each client. SOS assists with job postings, interviewing, and offer letters.
Q. Is financing available? A. Yes. SOS is an approved SBA franchisor. Most franchisees obtain startup loans through SBA with relatively low interest rates. Once you sign the Franchise Agreement, SOS provides business plan and financial projection templates for your financing application.
Q. How large is my territory? A. Each franchisee receives a protected territory. No two SOS centers can be closer than 6 miles. SOS creates demographic surveys to help you choose optimal locations with high child populations and low competition.
Next Steps
Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Success On The Spectrum.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.