Liberty Tax Service

Founded: 1972 Franchising since: 1973
In 1997, John Hewitt, founder of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, acquired a tax company that had been franchising in Canada since 1973. The company changed its name to Liberty Tax Service and now offers franchises throughout the United States and Canada.

1716 Corporate Landing Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454

Phone: (800)790-3863/ (757)493-8855 Franchisee Association National Advisory Council

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 250 employee(s); 15 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	2664	276	0	62
2008	2,309	270	0	85
2007	2,070	259	0	65
2006	1,727	275	0	42
2005	1,432	291	0	41

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Australia/new zealand, Canada

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 30,000 population near an H&R Block

Special Programs
Liberty Tax Services offered free tax preparation in 2000 for volunteers who work with young people.

Total investment: $56.8K-69.9K Franchise fee: $40K

Ongoing royalty fee: Varies Term of agreement: Perpetual, renewable

Express/kiosk option available

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	Yes	Yes
Startup Costs	Yes	Yes
Equipment	Yes	Yes
Inventory	Yes	Yes
Accounts Receivable	Yes	Yes
Payroll	Yes	Yes

Qualifications
Cash liquidity requirement: $50K
Business Experience:

• General business experience
• Marketing skills
• Customer service experience

Operations

• 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 - 10
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (98% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 1 week
• At franchisee's location: 1 day
• In various cities : 2 days

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Ad slicks
• Regional advertising

Other marketing support

• Local marketing plans

Franchise 500® rank:
#3 (2009); #23 (2008); #17 (2007); #10 (2006); #15 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#15 (2009); #9 (2008); #11 (2007); #13 (2006); #8 (2005);

Low-Cost Franchises:
#6 (2008); #5 (2007); #5 (2006); #6 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#3 (2009); #21 (2008); #15 (2007); #22 (2006); #26 (2005);