Kumon vs Mathnasium: 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
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
Kumon wins on investment range ($3K less) vs Mathnasium.
Fee Burden
Kumon wins on royalty rate (10.0% lower) vs Mathnasium.
Unit Count
Kumon wins on total units (24,900 more) vs Mathnasium.
Satisfaction
Mathnasium wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Kumon.

Investment & Fees

Metric Kumon Mathnasium
Min Investment $67K $115K
Max Investment $146K $149K
Franchise Fee $2K $49K
Royalty Rate 0.0% 10.0%
Ad Fund Rate 0.0% 2.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Kumon Mathnasium
Avg Unit Revenue $350K $400K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Kumon Mathnasium
Total Units 26,000 1,100
Annual Growth -0.5% 4.0%
Failure Rate 4.0% 4.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Kumon Mathnasium
Franchisee Satisfaction 67/100 75/100

Track Record

Metric Kumon Mathnasium
Years in Business 66 22
Years Franchising 46 19

Financial Requirements

Metric Kumon Mathnasium
Min Net Worth Required $150K $200K
Liquid Capital Required $70K $100K

Operations

Metric Kumon Mathnasium
Avg Employees 3 6
Training Weeks 2 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kumon or Mathnasium 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. 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 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 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 Kumon vs Mathnasium?

Kumon's royalty rate is 0.0%. Mathnasium's royalty rate is 10.0%. That means Kumon has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Kumon or Mathnasium?

Kumon has 26,000 total units. Mathnasium has 1,100 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Kumon or Mathnasium semi-absentee friendly?

Kumon is typically run as a owner-operator 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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