Mad Science

The vendor opportunity at Mad Science

Mad Science operates 70 total units, with 58 franchised and 12 company-owned locations. The system reported an Average Unit Volume (AUV) of $388,000 and a year-over-year unit growth rate of 1.754%. The franchise is concentrated in a few key states, with the largest footprints in California (4 units), Florida (3), New Jersey (3), and Texas (3). All 36 mapped operators are single-unit owners, meaning no franchisee controls more than one location. This structure reinforces a top-down purchasing environment where the franchisor, not multi-unit operators, drives software decisions.

Who controls software purchasing

Purchasing authority sits at the headquarters level. The 2025 FDD lists Ariel Shlien as Chief Executive Officer and Director, Marco Holstvoogd as President, and Ron Shlien as Chief Innovation Officer. Sharon King, Vice President of Research & Development and Operations, and Samantha Superstein, Director of Marketing, round out the executive team. For a software vendor, the most relevant contacts are likely Ron Shlien, given his innovation mandate, and Sharon King, who oversees operations and R&D. The absence of any multi-unit operators further centralizes all technology decisions within this HQ group.

Mandated and current tech stack

The FDD mandates five specific technology systems. Franchisees are required to use contact management software, Mad Science customized software applications, the Mad Science Extranet, QuickBooks by Intuit Inc., and The Web-Based Scheduling Tool & Online Registration. This stack covers core operational needs from financial management with QuickBooks to customer scheduling and internal communication via the Extranet. Any vendor pitching a replacement or integration must address how their solution coexists with or improves upon these mandated tools, particularly the proprietary Mad Science applications.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

Details on the formal procurement process are not disclosed in the most recent FDD; the Item 8 extract was unavailable. However, the franchise agreement structure provides timing signals. The initial term is 10 years, and compliant franchisees can renew for up to two additional successive terms of 5 years each. A previously renewed franchisee may secure one more 5-year term. These long cycles suggest that major software evaluations are infrequent and likely tied to system-wide initiatives rather than individual franchisee requests. Vendors should monitor for technology leadership changes or system-wide refresh announcements as key triggers.

How to read the Mad Science FDD

The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document provides the legal and operational baseline for this system. It confirms the 8% royalty fee, the 10-year initial term, and the mandated technology stack. The document also reveals the single-unit operator footprint and the HQ executive roster. For software vendors, the FDD is a critical resource to understand the franchisor's control points and the limited autonomy of franchisees. Review the embedded document below to verify these details and identify any additional compliance requirements that could affect a software deployment. For a ranked target list of franchise systems matched to your software category, contact FranCloud.