Kumon vs Primrose Schools: 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
PS

Primrose Schools

Education & Children
$750K – $8.5M
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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 ($8.4M less) vs Primrose Schools.
Fee Burden
Kumon wins on royalty rate (7.0% lower) vs Primrose Schools.
Unit Count
Kumon wins on total units (25,500 more) vs Primrose Schools.
Satisfaction
Primrose Schools wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Kumon.

Investment & Fees

Metric Kumon Primrose Schools
Min Investment $67K $750K
Max Investment $146K $8.5M
Franchise Fee $2K $80K
Royalty Rate 0.0% 7.0%
Ad Fund Rate 0.0% 2.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Kumon Primrose Schools
Avg Unit Revenue $350K $3.5M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Kumon Primrose Schools
Total Units 26,000 500
Annual Growth -0.5% 5.5%
Failure Rate 4.0% 0.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Kumon Primrose Schools
Franchisee Satisfaction 67/100 89/100

Track Record

Metric Kumon Primrose Schools
Years in Business 66 42
Years Franchising 46 34

Financial Requirements

Metric Kumon Primrose Schools
Min Net Worth Required $150K $1.0M
Liquid Capital Required $70K $600K

Operations

Metric Kumon Primrose Schools
Avg Employees 3 50
Training Weeks 2 8

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kumon or Primrose Schools 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. Primrose Schools has 500 total units and a 89/100 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 Primrose Schools franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Primrose Schools franchise requires an initial investment of $750K – $8.5M. The franchise fee is $80K, with ongoing royalties of 7.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Kumon vs Primrose Schools?

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

Which has more locations — Kumon or Primrose Schools?

Kumon has 26,000 total units. Primrose Schools has 500 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Kumon or Primrose Schools semi-absentee friendly?

Kumon is typically run as a owner-operator model. Primrose Schools 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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