Kumon vs H&R Block: 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 Retail & Services Real Data Not Investment Advice
K

Kumon

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

H&R Block

Retail & Services
$32K – $150K
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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 ($4K less) vs H&R Block.
Fee Burden
Kumon wins on royalty rate (30.0% lower) vs H&R Block.
Unit Count
Kumon wins on total units (14,000 more) vs H&R Block.
Satisfaction
H&R Block wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Kumon.

Investment & Fees

Metric Kumon H&R Block
Min Investment $67K $32K
Max Investment $146K $150K
Franchise Fee $2K $3K
Royalty Rate 0.0% 30.0%
Ad Fund Rate 0.0% N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Kumon H&R Block
Avg Unit Revenue $350K $140K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Kumon H&R Block
Total Units 26,000 12,000
Annual Growth -0.5% -100.0%
Failure Rate 4.0% N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Kumon H&R Block
Franchisee Satisfaction 67/100 68/100

Track Record

Metric Kumon H&R Block
Years in Business 66 N/A
Years Franchising 46 N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Kumon H&R Block
Min Net Worth Required $150K N/A
Liquid Capital Required $70K N/A

Operations

Metric Kumon H&R Block
Avg Employees 3 N/A
Training Weeks 2 N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kumon or H&R Block 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. H&R Block has 12,000 total units and a 68/100 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 H&R Block franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a H&R Block franchise requires an initial investment of $32K – $150K. The franchise fee is $3K, with ongoing royalties of 30.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Kumon vs H&R Block?

Kumon's royalty rate is 0.0%. H&R Block's royalty rate is 30.0%. That means Kumon has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Kumon or H&R Block?

Kumon has 26,000 total units. H&R Block has 12,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Kumon or H&R Block semi-absentee friendly?

Kumon is typically run as a owner-operator model. H&R Block 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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