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The School of Rock concept travels well, due to low logistical, supply chain, technological, language and operational complexity. Popularmusic and child enrichment is universal, and the business model allows customization to celebrate local popularmusic. “At a time when so many businesses have been disrupted, this is a particularly gratifying milestone for the School of Rock community,” said Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock. “Reaching this scale speaks to the power of our concept and the relentless drive of our people. Few brands resonate equally in markets as different as Minneapolis and Madrid, but the School of Rockmodel has universal appeal.” A MUSICAL EDUCATION LIKE NO OTHER School of Rock’s approach to music education, The School of RockMethod, is more potent than traditional music programs, combining private lessons with weekly ensemble practices. Students learn theory, practice, and life skills through intensive, but fun preparation for live shows in real venues. Group learning teaches both technical and soft skills and this revolutionary approach increases retention, results and brand consideration. This revolutionary approach is so successful in its approach that School of Rockwas awarded a U.S. patent forThe School of RockMethod in January, validating the company’s pedagogy as an exclusive and novel innovation. The School of RockMethod is a strong source of differentiation, and includes proprietarymethod books, method app, manuals and the method engine to integrate the content. The appwas designed to be used by students and instructors and houses all of the exercises from the books, tools to practice the music skills at home, and allows parents to monitor the kid’s progress. The solution was recognizedwith the 2021 Franchise 30 GLOBAL FRANCHISE | ISSUE 6.7 n 1979, Neil Young sang that “rock and roll can never die” and School of Rock is proving the lyric to be true year after year. The music education franchise hit multiple milestones in 2021 despite the ongoing pandemic disruptions including record- breaking international development in not one, nor two, but three overseas markets: Taiwan, South Africa and Spain –with the latter being the franchise’s first location on the European continent. The U.S.-based brand celebrated the opening of its 300th school, and saw a boom in student figures, rising from 22,000 to nearly 50,000, along with 34 per cent growth in average school enrolment. It broadened its curriculum to include a greater range of diversity, including Black and female artists as part of its established repertoire of iconic musicians. The year also marked the company’s expansion into retail musical instruments and accessories sales with the School of Rock GearSelect program through partnerships with 40 of the world’s most recognizable gear brands. The growth of School of Rock has been off the back of a tumultuous year for education across the board, showcasing the true resilience of this finely-tuned franchise. As of the second quarter of 2021, there are over 500 School of Rock locations open or in development in 15 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, and the United States. I BEHIND THE BRAND: PARTNER CONTENT On a world tour of expansion School of Rock prepares for an encore after major international growth in 2021 “Popular music and child enrichment is universal, and the business model allows customization to celebrate local popular music”