Goddard School vs Mathnasium: Which Is the Better Investment?

Based on FranchiseStack.ai's analysis of 188+ franchise FDD filings — side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Updated 2026.

Education & Children Real Data Not Investment Advice
GS

Goddard School

Education & Children
$812K – $5.8M
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VS
M

Mathnasium

Education & Children
$115K – $149K
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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
Mathnasium wins on investment range ($5.7M less) vs Goddard School.
Fee Burden
Goddard School wins on royalty rate (3.0% lower) vs Mathnasium.
Unit Count
Mathnasium wins on total units (500 more) vs Goddard School.
Satisfaction
Goddard School wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Mathnasium.

Detailed Analysis: Goddard School vs Mathnasium

According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 188+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Goddard School and Mathnasium are among the most-researched franchise comparisons. The choice comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. Both operate in the Education & Children sector, which means they compete for similar customers and territory. Mathnasium has a larger footprint, which typically translates to stronger brand recognition but potentially more territorial saturation.

From a capital perspective, Mathnasium has a lower entry point. However, initial investment alone doesn't determine ROI — ongoing royalties, revenue potential, and failure rates all factor into long-term returns. Goddard School charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket. If passive ownership matters to you, Goddard School supports a semi-absentee model — you can hire a manager and maintain other income sources.

Franchisee satisfaction is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. Goddard School leads with a 88/100 satisfaction score, indicating that existing owners are more positive about their decision. Before committing to either franchise, we recommend running both through our Financial Model tool to project personalized 5-year P&L scenarios. You should also review each franchise's complete Franchise Disclosure Document using our FDD Checker to understand litigation history, termination rates, and territory restrictions.

Investment & Fees

Metric Goddard School Mathnasium
Min Investment $812K $115K
Max Investment $5.8M $149K
Franchise Fee $135K $49K
Royalty Rate 7.0% 10.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% 2.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Goddard School Mathnasium
Avg Unit Revenue $3.0M $400K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Goddard School Mathnasium
Total Units 600 1,100
Annual Growth 4.0% 4.0%
Failure Rate 0.5% 4.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Goddard School Mathnasium
Franchisee Satisfaction 88/100 75/100

Track Record

Metric Goddard School Mathnasium
Years in Business 35 22
Years Franchising 32 19

Financial Requirements

Metric Goddard School Mathnasium
Min Net Worth Required $800K $200K
Liquid Capital Required $400K $100K

Operations

Metric Goddard School Mathnasium
Avg Employees 40 6
Training Weeks 6 2

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Goddard School or Mathnasium 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. Mathnasium has 1,100 total units and a 75/100 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 Mathnasium franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Mathnasium franchise requires an initial investment of $115K – $149K. The franchise fee is $49K, with ongoing royalties of 10.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Goddard School vs Mathnasium?

Goddard School's royalty rate is 7.0%. Mathnasium's royalty rate is 10.0%. That means Mathnasium has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Goddard School or Mathnasium?

Goddard School has 600 total units. Mathnasium has 1,100 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Goddard School or Mathnasium semi-absentee friendly?

Goddard School is typically run as a semi-absentee model. Mathnasium 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.

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