Goddard School vs Kumon: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Education & Children Real Data Not Investment Advice
GS

Goddard School

Education & Children
$812K – $5.8M
View Full Profile →
VS
K

Kumon

Education & Children
$67K – $146K
View Full Profile →

At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Kumon wins on investment range ($5.7M less) vs Goddard School.
Fee Burden
Kumon wins on royalty rate (7.0% lower) vs Goddard School.
Unit Count
Kumon wins on total units (25,400 more) vs Goddard School.
Satisfaction
Goddard School wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Kumon.

Investment & Fees

Metric Goddard School Kumon
Min Investment $812K $67K
Max Investment $5.8M $146K
Franchise Fee $135K $2K
Royalty Rate 7.0% 0.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% 0.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Goddard School Kumon
Avg Unit Revenue $3.0M $350K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Goddard School Kumon
Total Units 600 26,000
Annual Growth 4.0% -0.5%
Failure Rate 0.5% 4.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Goddard School Kumon
Franchisee Satisfaction 88/100 67/100

Track Record

Metric Goddard School Kumon
Years in Business 35 66
Years Franchising 32 46

Financial Requirements

Metric Goddard School Kumon
Min Net Worth Required $800K $150K
Liquid Capital Required $400K $70K

Operations

Metric Goddard School Kumon
Avg Employees 40 3
Training Weeks 6 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Goddard School or Kumon a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Goddard School has 600 total units and a 88/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Kumon has 26,000 total units and a 67/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Goddard School franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Goddard School franchise requires an initial investment of $812K – $5.8M. The franchise fee is $135K, with ongoing royalties of 7.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Kumon franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Kumon franchise requires an initial investment of $67K – $146K. The franchise fee is $2K, with ongoing royalties of 0.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Goddard School vs Kumon?

Goddard School's royalty rate is 7.0%. Kumon's royalty rate is 0.0%. That means Kumon has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Goddard School or Kumon?

Goddard School has 600 total units. Kumon has 26,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Goddard School or Kumon semi-absentee friendly?

Goddard School is typically run as a semi-absentee model. Kumon is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

Get Personalized AI Matching

See which franchise fits your budget, lifestyle, and goals — not just which has better raw numbers.

Start Free →

Compare Up to 4 Franchises

Our full comparison tool adds personalized fit scores, FDD insights, and territory availability.

Open Comparison Tool