How much does a Goddard franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $1,003,500–$8,908,000, including a $135,000 initial franchise fee.

Is a Goddard franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Goddard scores B on disclosure honesty, carries about 11% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 1 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a Goddard franchise

Child Care School Franchise · FDD 2026 · from public state filings

BDisclosure honesty

This franchisor discloses earnings (Item 19) — but read how.

★★★★☆ FranchiseValidate transparency rating: 4/5

Investment

$1,003,500–$8,908,000

Total fees

11% of sales

Outlets

665

Closure signals

1 ceased

Lawsuits

Is Goddard worth it? How it compares to 30 similar franchises

Ongoing fees	11% of sales	steeper than 76% of children's education & childcare franchises
Startup cost	from $1,003,500	pricier than 77% of peers
Disclosure honesty	Grade B	more honest than 77% of children's education & childcare franchises
Closure rate	0.2% of outlets	better than most (median 0.6%)
Disclosed lawsuits	1	about average

Benchmarked against every children's education & childcare franchise we've graded from public FDDs — the context the franchisor's pitch never gives you.

What their own earnings claim actually says

2025 data: 620 mature schools averaged $4.1M gross revenue, 36% EBITDA; 37 new schools averaged $2.4M revenue, 21% EBITDA. Unaudited, franchisee-reported, high variance across units.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

1 mature school closed in 2025 after 12+ months operation; data limited.

Legal history (Item 3)

1 matters disclosed.

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The franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. We do — reconstructed from their own FDD.

Franchisor's framing: 2025 data: 620 mature schools averaged $4.1M gross revenue, 36% EBITDA; 37 new schools averaged…

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Decoded real failure / closure rate
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Goddard franchise — frequently asked

How much does a Goddard franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $1,003,500–$8,908,000, including a $135,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do Goddard franchise owners make?: 2025 data: 620 mature schools averaged $4.1M gross revenue, 36% EBITDA; 37 new schools averaged $2.4M revenue, 21% EBITDA. Unaudited, franchisee-reported, high variance across units. We grade this disclosure B for honesty.
What is the Goddard franchise failure rate?: 1 mature school closed in 2025 after 12+ months operation; data limited.
Is a Goddard franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Goddard scores B on disclosure honesty, carries about 11% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 1 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Compare Goddard to similar franchises

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Source: MN CARDS 36432-202604-09 (Clean FDD 2026). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with Goddard or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.