Kumon vs RE/MAX: Which Is the Better Investment?

Based on FranchiseStack.ai's analysis of 188+ franchise FDD filings — side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Updated 2026.

Education & Children Real Estate Real Data Not Investment Advice
K

Kumon

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

RE/MAX

Real Estate
$39K – $225K
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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 ($78K less) vs RE/MAX.
Fee Burden
Both have the same royalty rate.
Unit Count
Kumon wins on total units (17,000 more) vs RE/MAX.
Satisfaction
RE/MAX wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Kumon.

Detailed Analysis: Kumon vs RE/MAX

According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 188+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Kumon and RE/MAX are among the most-researched franchise comparisons. The choice comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. Kumon operates in Education & Children while RE/MAX is in Real Estate. Cross-industry comparisons are valuable when you're evaluating which business model best fits your skills and lifestyle.

From a capital perspective, RE/MAX has a lower entry point. However, initial investment alone doesn't determine ROI — ongoing royalties, revenue potential, and failure rates all factor into long-term returns. RE/MAX charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket.

Franchisee satisfaction is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. RE/MAX leads with a 72/100 satisfaction score, indicating that existing owners are more positive about their decision. Before committing to either franchise, we recommend running both through our Financial Model tool to project personalized 5-year P&L scenarios. You should also review each franchise's complete Franchise Disclosure Document using our FDD Checker to understand litigation history, termination rates, and territory restrictions.

Investment & Fees

Metric Kumon RE/MAX
Min Investment $67K $39K
Max Investment $146K $225K
Franchise Fee $2K $25K
Royalty Rate 0.0% 0.0%
Ad Fund Rate 0.0% 0.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Kumon RE/MAX
Avg Unit Revenue $350K $1.2M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Kumon RE/MAX
Total Units 26,000 9,000
Annual Growth -0.5% -0.5%
Failure Rate 4.0% 2.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Kumon RE/MAX
Franchisee Satisfaction 67/100 72/100

Track Record

Metric Kumon RE/MAX
Years in Business 66 51
Years Franchising 46 48

Financial Requirements

Metric Kumon RE/MAX
Min Net Worth Required $150K $250K
Liquid Capital Required $70K $35K

Operations

Metric Kumon RE/MAX
Avg Employees 3 10
Training Weeks 2 2

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kumon or RE/MAX 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. RE/MAX has 9,000 total units and a 72/100 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 RE/MAX franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a RE/MAX franchise requires an initial investment of $39K – $225K. The franchise fee is $25K, with ongoing royalties of 0.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Kumon vs RE/MAX?

Kumon's royalty rate is 0.0%. RE/MAX's royalty rate is 0.0%. That means RE/MAX has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Kumon or RE/MAX?

Kumon has 26,000 total units. RE/MAX has 9,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Kumon or RE/MAX semi-absentee friendly?

Kumon is typically run as a owner-operator model. RE/MAX 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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