Mathnasium vs Goddard School: 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 Data Not Investment Advice
M

Mathnasium

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

Goddard School

Education & Children
$812K – $5.8M
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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 ($5.7M less) vs Goddard School.
Fee Burden
Goddard School wins on royalty rate (3.0% lower) vs Mathnasium.
Unit Count
Mathnasium wins on total units (500 more) vs Goddard School.
Satisfaction
Goddard School wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Mathnasium.

Detailed Analysis: Mathnasium vs Goddard School

According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 188+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Mathnasium and Goddard School 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. Mathnasium has a larger footprint, which typically translates to stronger brand recognition but potentially more territorial saturation.

From a capital perspective, Mathnasium 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. Goddard School charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket. If passive ownership matters to you, Goddard School supports a semi-absentee model — you can hire a manager and maintain other income sources.

Franchisee satisfaction is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. Goddard School leads with a 88/100 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 Mathnasium Goddard School
Min Investment $115K $812K
Max Investment $149K $5.8M
Franchise Fee $49K $135K
Royalty Rate 10.0% 7.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% 2.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Mathnasium Goddard School
Avg Unit Revenue $400K $3.0M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Mathnasium Goddard School
Total Units 1,100 600
Annual Growth 4.0% 4.0%
Failure Rate 4.0% 0.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Mathnasium Goddard School
Franchisee Satisfaction 75/100 88/100

Track Record

Metric Mathnasium Goddard School
Years in Business 22 35
Years Franchising 19 32

Financial Requirements

Metric Mathnasium Goddard School
Min Net Worth Required $200K $800K
Liquid Capital Required $100K $400K

Operations

Metric Mathnasium Goddard School
Avg Employees 6 40
Training Weeks 2 6

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mathnasium or Goddard School 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. Goddard School has 600 total units and a 88/100 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 Goddard School franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Goddard School franchise requires an initial investment of $812K – $5.8M. The franchise fee is $135K, with ongoing royalties of 7.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Mathnasium vs Goddard School?

Mathnasium's royalty rate is 10.0%. Goddard School's royalty rate is 7.0%. That means Mathnasium has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Mathnasium or Goddard School?

Mathnasium has 1,100 total units. Goddard School has 600 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Mathnasium or Goddard School semi-absentee friendly?

Mathnasium is typically run as a owner-operator model. Goddard School 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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