i9 Sports vs Sylvan Learning: 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
iS

i9 Sports

Education & Children
$38K – $70K
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VS
SL

Sylvan Learning

Education & Children
$103K – $226K
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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
i9 Sports wins on investment range ($156K less) vs Sylvan Learning.
Fee Burden
i9 Sports wins on royalty rate (2.0% lower) vs Sylvan Learning.
Unit Count
Sylvan Learning wins on total units (510 more) vs i9 Sports.
Satisfaction
i9 Sports wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Sylvan Learning.

Investment & Fees

Metric i9 Sports Sylvan Learning
Min Investment $38K $103K
Max Investment $70K $226K
Franchise Fee $29K $32K
Royalty Rate 7.0% 9.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A 2.0%

Unit Economics

Metric i9 Sports Sylvan Learning
Avg Unit Revenue $250K $400K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric i9 Sports Sylvan Learning
Total Units 200 710
Annual Growth 10.0% -1.5%
Failure Rate N/A 4.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric i9 Sports Sylvan Learning
Franchisee Satisfaction 74/100 65/100

Track Record

Metric i9 Sports Sylvan Learning
Years in Business N/A 45
Years Franchising N/A 44

Financial Requirements

Metric i9 Sports Sylvan Learning
Min Net Worth Required N/A $200K
Liquid Capital Required N/A $75K

Operations

Metric i9 Sports Sylvan Learning
Avg Employees N/A 6
Training Weeks N/A 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is i9 Sports or Sylvan Learning a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. i9 Sports has 200 total units and a 74/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Sylvan Learning has 710 total units and a 65/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a i9 Sports franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a i9 Sports franchise requires an initial investment of $38K – $70K. The franchise fee is $29K, with ongoing royalties of 7.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Sylvan Learning franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Sylvan Learning franchise requires an initial investment of $103K – $226K. The franchise fee is $32K, with ongoing royalties of 9.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for i9 Sports vs Sylvan Learning?

i9 Sports's royalty rate is 7.0%. Sylvan Learning's royalty rate is 9.0%. That means i9 Sports has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — i9 Sports or Sylvan Learning?

i9 Sports has 200 total units. Sylvan Learning has 710 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is i9 Sports or Sylvan Learning semi-absentee friendly?

i9 Sports is typically run as a owner-operator model. Sylvan Learning 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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