The NICE organisation model consists of three levels: NICE Centres, NICE Country Organisations and NICE International.
NICE Centre
NICE Centres are operated on a franchise basis by local entrepreneurs. The franchise takers sign a franchise contract with the NICE Country Organisation. They pay a franchise fee for using the NICE Concept and brand, and an operational lease fee for using the energy and IT equipment. The franchise model has mutual benefits: franchisees benefit from a package of support services from the NICE Country Organisation, while the NICE Country Organisation benefits from local market and business expertise.
NICE Country Organisation
NICE Country Organisations are joint ventures between NICE International and one or multiple local partners that have a strong position in a country. The partner should have the ability to co-invest and have a relevant market presence that provides a basis for rolling out the NICE Concept in the country. Examples of potential local partners are banks, Internet Service Providers and Telecom companies. NICE Country Organisations are responsible for developing and supporting the network of NICE Centres in the country. To do so they get the exclusive master franchise for the country from NICE International. In return they pay revenue-based royalties to NICE International. The main income sources for the NICE Country Organisations are the franchise fees and lease fees of NICE Centres as well as distribution fees from product and service partners.
NICE International
NICE International is the international holding company and the owner of the NICE brand and concept, based in The Netherlands. The organisation performs a number of tasks, including central purchasing of equipment, development of new countries, development of new services (with partners), supervision of NICE Country Organizations, and attracting funding. The main sources of income for NICE International are royalties from NICE Country Organizations, distribution fees from service partners and margins on equipment sales to NICE Country Organizations.