Mathnasium vs Chem-Dry: 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 Home Services Real Data Not Investment Advice
M

Mathnasium

Education & Children
$115K – $149K
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VS
C

Chem-Dry

Home Services
$75K – $175K
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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
Mathnasium wins on investment range ($26K less) vs Chem-Dry.
Fee Burden
Chem-Dry wins on royalty rate (6.0% lower) vs Mathnasium.
Unit Count
Chem-Dry wins on total units (1,900 more) vs Mathnasium.
Satisfaction
Mathnasium wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Chem-Dry.

Investment & Fees

Metric Mathnasium Chem-Dry
Min Investment $115K $75K
Max Investment $149K $175K
Franchise Fee $49K $25K
Royalty Rate 10.0% 4.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Mathnasium Chem-Dry
Avg Unit Revenue $400K $300K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Mathnasium Chem-Dry
Total Units 1,100 3,000
Annual Growth 4.0% -30.0%
Failure Rate 4.0% N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Mathnasium Chem-Dry
Franchisee Satisfaction 75/100 67/100

Track Record

Metric Mathnasium Chem-Dry
Years in Business 22 N/A
Years Franchising 19 N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Mathnasium Chem-Dry
Min Net Worth Required $200K N/A
Liquid Capital Required $100K N/A

Operations

Metric Mathnasium Chem-Dry
Avg Employees 6 N/A
Training Weeks 2 N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mathnasium or Chem-Dry a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Mathnasium has 1,100 total units and a 75/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Chem-Dry has 3,000 total units and a 67/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

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.

How much does it cost to open a Chem-Dry franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Chem-Dry franchise requires an initial investment of $75K – $175K. The franchise fee is $25K, with ongoing royalties of 4.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Mathnasium vs Chem-Dry?

Mathnasium's royalty rate is 10.0%. Chem-Dry's royalty rate is 4.0%. That means Mathnasium has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Mathnasium or Chem-Dry?

Mathnasium has 1,100 total units. Chem-Dry has 3,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Mathnasium or Chem-Dry semi-absentee friendly?

Mathnasium is typically run as a owner-operator model. Chem-Dry 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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