Quick Answer — FranchiseStack.ai FDD Analysis
Kumon costs $67K–$146K with a 0% royalty and 26,000+ global locations. Sylvan Learning costs $72K–$176K with a 9% royalty and ~710 U.S. locations. Kumon's math-and-reading self-paced worksheet model has massive scale; Sylvan's tutoring-led approach has higher AUV ($400K vs $350K). Both serve K-12 students but with fundamentally different instructional models.
Data from FranchiseStack.ai's FDD analysis. See the full franchise comparison below.
At a Glance: Key Differences
Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.
⚠️ Risk Assessment
Risk signals from FDD disclosures. Higher score = lower risk. Verify all figures in each franchise's current FDD before investing.
| Risk Factor | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Failure Rate | 4% | 4.5% |
| Unit Turnover (Growth) | -0.5%/yr | -1.5%/yr |
| Total Fee Burden | 0.0% | 11.0% |
| Territory Protection | ✅ Exclusive | ✅ Exclusive |
Detailed Analysis: Kumon vs Sylvan Learning
According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 192+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Kumon and Sylvan Learning are among the most-researched franchise comparisons. The choice comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. Both operate in the Education & Children sector, which means they compete for similar customers and territory. Kumon has a larger footprint, which typically translates to stronger brand recognition but potentially more territorial saturation.
From a capital perspective, Kumon 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. Kumon 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. Kumon leads with a 67/100 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.
Kumon vs Sylvan Learning: Education Franchise Models Compared (2026)
Kumon and Sylvan Learning are the two largest tutoring franchises — but they take opposite approaches to instruction. Kumon's self-paced worksheet model scales differently than Sylvan's instructor-led tutoring. Franchise investors need to understand the operational difference, not just the headline numbers.
| Metric | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Investment | $67K–$146K | $72K–$176K |
| Royalty Rate | 0% (materials fee model) | 9% |
| Average Unit Revenue | ~$350K per location | ~$400K per location |
| Total Locations | 26,000+ globally | 710+ U.S. locations |
| Franchisee Satisfaction | 67/100 | 65/100 |
| Instruction Model | Self-paced worksheets | Instructor-led tutoring |
| Subjects Covered | Math and Reading only | All K-12 subjects |
The Kumon Model: Scale Without Teachers
Kumon's 0% royalty is its most distinctive feature — franchisees pay for materials (worksheets, testing materials) rather than ongoing royalties. This means at scale, Kumon franchisees keep more of their revenue. The 26,000+ global locations validate the model: it's the largest education franchise in the world by a wide margin.
But the 67/100 franchisee satisfaction score is a warning sign. Kumon franchisees often cite high staffing costs (even without royalty, you pay for instructors or center managers), competitive pressure from Sylvan and local tutoring centers, and the challenge of the self-paced model in a world where parents increasingly expect one-on-one instruction. Kumon franchisees who succeed typically have strong local market positioning and invest in operational quality.
The Sylvan Model: Higher AUV, Higher Royalty
Sylvan Learning's 9% royalty is among the highest in education franchising — but the $400K AUV (vs Kumon's $350K) means there's room to absorb it. Sylvan's instructor-led model requires more staffing investment, but the premium pricing and broader subject coverage ($40–$80/hr for SAT prep vs Kumon's flat-rate monthly membership) drive higher revenue per student.
Sylvan's 65/100 franchisee satisfaction is slightly below Kumon's, despite Sylvan's higher AUV. This reflects the staffing intensity of the tutoring model: hiring, training, and retaining qualified instructors is an ongoing operational challenge. Franchisees who solve the staffing problem tend to do well; those who don't struggle.
Which Is the Better Investment?
Kumon if: You want the most accessible entry point in education franchising ($67K–$146K), no ongoing royalty, and the brand recognition of the world's largest tutoring franchise. Accept the 67/100 satisfaction score as a signal that execution quality matters — find a strong market position and focus on operational excellence.
Sylvan Learning if: You want higher AUV ($400K vs $350K) and are comfortable with a 9% royalty. The broader subject coverage means you're not limited to math-and-reading students — you can capture SAT prep, homework help, and test preparation revenue that Kumon doesn't address.
Explore both in context: Mathnasium vs Sylvan Learning for a math-focused comparison, and see the full Best Education Franchises 2026 category.
Investment & Fees
| Metric | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Min Investment | $67K | $103K |
| Max Investment | $146K | $226K |
| Franchise Fee | $2K | $32K |
| Royalty Rate | 0.0% | 9.0% |
| Ad Fund Rate | 0.0% | 2.0% |
Unit Economics
| Metric | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Unit Revenue | $350K | $400K |
| Avg Profit Margin | N/A | N/A |
Scale & Growth
| Metric | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Total Units | 26,000 | 710 |
| Annual Growth | -0.5% | -1.5% |
| Failure Rate | 4.0% | 4.5% |
Franchisee Performance
| Metric | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Franchisee Satisfaction | 67/100 | 65/100 |
Track Record
| Metric | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Years in Business | 66 | 45 |
| Years Franchising | 46 | 44 |
Financial Requirements
| Metric | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Min Net Worth Required | $150K | $200K |
| Liquid Capital Required | $70K | $75K |
Operations
| Metric | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Employees | 3 | 6 |
| Training Weeks | 2 | 2 |
⚠️ Risk Indicators
| Metric | Kumon | Sylvan Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Failure Rate | 4.0% | 4.5% |
| Annual Unit Growth | -0.5% | -1.5% |
| Units Opened Last Year | 500 | 20 |
| Units Closed Last Year | N/A | N/A |
| Exclusive Territory | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kumon or Sylvan Learning the better education franchise in 2026?
Kumon ($67K–$146K, 26,000+ locations) has unmatched scale and a 0% royalty model, but 67/100 franchisee satisfaction reflects operational challenges in a competitive tutoring market. Sylvan Learning ($72K–$176K, 710+ locations) has higher AUV ($400K vs $350K) and 65/100 satisfaction. Kumon wins on scale and royalty structure; Sylvan wins on AUV and broader subject coverage. Neither has exceptional satisfaction scores — execution quality in a local market matters more than brand choice.
How much does a Kumon franchise cost in 2026?
Kumon requires a total initial investment of approximately $67,000–$146,295, one of the most accessible entry points in education franchising. The notable feature: Kumon charges 0% ongoing royalty — instead, franchisees purchase proprietary worksheets and testing materials at a margin. This means at scale, Kumon franchisees keep more of their revenue than those paying a percentage royalty. Kumon has 26,000+ locations globally and has been franchising for 40+ years. The 67/100 franchisee satisfaction score is a signal: operational quality matters greatly — strong operators do well, weak operators struggle.
How much does a Sylvan Learning franchise cost in 2026?
Sylvan Learning requires a total initial investment of approximately $103,000–$226,470, including a franchise fee of approximately $49,500 and ongoing 9% royalty on gross revenue. The 9% royalty is among the highest in education franchising — but Sylvan Learning averages $400K per location, providing room to absorb it. Sylvan Learning has 710+ U.S. locations and targets all K-12 subjects plus SAT/ACT prep. The 65/100 franchisee satisfaction reflects the staffing intensity of instructor-led tutoring — hiring and retaining qualified tutors is the primary operational challenge.
Kumon vs Sylvan Learning: which has more locations?
Kumon has dramatically more locations — 26,000+ globally vs Sylvan Learning at 710+ U.S. locations. Kumon is the largest education franchise in the world by unit count. The scale difference reflects both age (Kumon has been franchising since 1954; Sylvan since 1985) and model: Kumon self-paced worksheets can run with fewer staff than Sylvan instructor-led tutoring, making it easier to scale. For franchise investors, Kumon offers brand recognition at scale; Sylvan offers a more specialized, higher-AUV model with more territory available in most markets.
What is the royalty rate for Kumon vs Sylvan Learning?
Kumon charges 0% ongoing royalty — instead, franchisees purchase proprietary worksheets and materials from Kumon at a markup, which is how Kumon captures value. Sylvan Learning charges 9% ongoing royalty on gross revenue. On pure percentage basis, Kumon wins clearly. But the materials-purchase model means you need strong student enrollment to generate the same margin as a royalty-free model. At 350K AUV, Kumon franchisees need to purchase enough materials to generate a meaningful profit above their costs. Run both through our ROI Calculator with your local market assumptions.
Related Comparisons
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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