The Goddard School® Achieves Record First Quarter, Awarding 35 New Franchise Licenses

A standout Q1 highlights the franchise system’s strength, fueling new market expansion and setting the stage for accelerated growth in 2026

King of Prussia, PA (May 18, 2026) – Goddard Systems, LLC (GSL), manager of The Goddard School® franchise system, the nation’s leading premium early childhood education provider, closed Q1 2026 awarding 35 new franchise licenses, signaling the strongest first quarter for growth in the company’s history.

Licenses were awarded in key growth markets across the country, namely in the South, Midwest and West. Of those awarded, 27 were single-school licenses and one development agreement, consisting of another eight schools. The single-school licenses were signed nearly equally by new and existing Goddard School franchisees. The development agreement was signed by an existing multi-unit franchisee. GSL has also opened 10 new schools in 2026 through the end of April, including its first location in Utah.

This activity underscores the strength of The Goddard School franchise system, reflecting sustained confidence among existing operators while also highlighting attractive opportunities for first-time entrepreneurs. Both audiences are drawn to the brand’s education-driven mission and its track record of scalable growth.

GSL closed Q1 with additional momentum, earning FRANdata's 2026 TopScore FUND Award, an annual recognition celebrating brands that exemplify performance excellence and lender friendliness. Marking the fourth consecutive year that GSL has been recognized, the company earned an industry-leading FUND score of 930 out of 950 in 2026, reflecting the organization’s commitment to expanding access to quality childcare and early childhood education nationwide.

“Our record-breaking Q1 is a testament to the strength of GSL’s intentional growth strategy, and the trust families continue to place in The Goddard School brand,” said Tim Linderman, senior vice president and chief growth officer, GSL. “By expanding with both new and existing franchisees who share our commitment to excellence, it allows us to thoughtfully scale our business model while reaching more children and families across the country.”

Additionally, GSL signed an institutional deal with Upside Growth Partners (UGP), a Tennessee-based investment company, in early April. With experience facilitating strategic advancement in family-supporting services like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and dyslexia therapy, UGP’s expertise closely aligns with GSL’s commitment to serving families. UGP was drawn to GSL’s proven expansion model, brand equity, exclusive Wonder of Learning® education program and franchisee support systems, together delivering clear family and operator value. UGP acquired two existing schools in Tennessee and signed an initial development agreement for five future Goddard Schools.

Individuals interested in building a purpose-driven business can learn more about franchise opportunities at GoddardSchoolFranchise.com, especially in key markets like Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Oregon and Texas. Commercial real estate professionals with suitable locations are encouraged to connect with GSL’s franchise development team to support the expansion of high-quality early childhood education in their communities.

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ABOUT GODDARD SYSTEMS, LLC

Established in 1988, Goddard Systems, LLC, is the manager of The Goddard School^® franchise system. The Goddard School is the acknowledged leader in the premium early childcare and education market segment. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, The Goddard School has been consistently named one of the leading franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur (#68 in the 2026 Franchise 500) and one of the top franchise systems in worldwide sales by Franchise Times (#58 in the 2025 Top 400). Additionally, The Goddard School is included in Franchise Business Review’s 2026 Top 200 Franchises, a recognition of the best franchise opportunities based solely on ratings and reviews provided directly by franchise owners. Goddard Systems currently licenses more than 675 Goddard School franchises that serve almost 100,000 students in 38 states and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit GoddardSchoolFranchise.com.

ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL^®

Learning for fun. Learning for life.^®

For 38 years, The Goddard School has nurtured the extraordinary in every child, providing a warm, caring and safe environment that supports their individual social, emotional and academic development, appreciates their unique talents and personalities, and fosters skills they need for long-term success in school and in life.

The Goddard School’s exclusive inquiry-based education program, Wonder of Learning^®, embraces how children learn best—through their innate curiosity—because research confirms that when wonder leads, learning follows. Wonder of Learning is backed by expert knowledge, data-driven insight and unwavering compassion for growing minds, encouraging children to explore their curiosities and interests as they discover the joy—and wonder—of learning. The Goddard School serves almost 100,000 students from six weeks to six years old in 38 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com.