Kumon vs Goddard School: 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
K

Kumon

Education & Children
$67K – $146K
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VS
GS

Goddard School

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

Unit Economics

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

Scale & Growth

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

Franchisee Performance

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

Track Record

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

Financial Requirements

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

Operations

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kumon or Goddard School a better franchise investment?

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

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.

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.

What is the royalty rate for Kumon vs Goddard School?

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

Which has more locations — Kumon or Goddard School?

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

Is Kumon or Goddard School semi-absentee friendly?

Kumon is typically run as a owner-operator model. Goddard School is typically run as a semi-absentee 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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