85.8%*
Avg. Occupancy
A Scalable Childcare Franchise Model for Multi‑Unit Investors
Schools & Growing
Avg. Occupancy
Years of Experience
Avg. EBITDA
*The occupancy and EBITDA figures presented are based on historical data from certain franchised locations and are not intended as a representation of actual or potential financial performance. EBITDA is defined as gross revenue less all expenses directly related to operating the school, excluding interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Individual results will vary. Please refer to Item 19 of the Goddard Franchisor, LLC’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for additional information regarding financial performance.
The Goddard School offers a proven, systematized model designed for individuals seeking a structured multi-unit ownership opportunity supported by an established brand. You could potentially be a strong fit if you...
Mature schools delivered average gross revenue of $2,417,129 and average EBITDA of $521,987.*
*Based on mature schools opened for 18 months or more as of 2024. EBITDA is defined as gross revenue less all expenses directly related to operating the school excluding interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. You should refer to Item 19 of Goddard Franchisor, LLC’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more information regarding the reported earnings of Goddard School franchises. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you will earn as much as the amounts reported by Goddard School franchisees.
Childcare is one of the most stable service industries because:
- Dual‑income households continue to rise nationwide (Institute for Family Studies, 2024)
- Parents prioritize high‑quality early childhood education (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2025 NAEYC & MomsRising National Childcare Survey Findings)
- Nationwide childcare supply falls short of demand, leaving approximately 4.2 million children without access (Bipartisan Policy Center, 2026 National and State child Care Data Overview)
This results in Goddard being part of a recession-resilient industry, reinforced by its long track record since 1988.
Multi-unit franchisees benefit from:
- A full-time on-site operator who manages day-to-day operations, ensuring consistent execution and high-quality family experience
- Standardized technology and IT systems across all schools, providing consistency, reporting accuracy, and data security compliance
- Research-backed, exclusive education program, Wonder of Learning®, drives operational efficiency for administrators and reinforces a competitive edge in the marketplace
Investors can focus on strategy and growth to serve more families nationwide.
Goddard’s franchise system provides the turn-key support investors need to scale:
- Centralized national marketing to drive local‑level demand and awareness
- Robust real estate and site development support, including site analysis, demographic studies, and construction review
- Comprehensive training programs ensuring strong school‑level leadership: 3-week initial training focusing on engaging with families and implementing school operations.
- Dedicated Franchise Consultants to coach and consult on standardized processes across locations for easier multi‑unit management
This level of infrastructure and support is positioned to make it easier to oversee multiple locations without diluting operational quality.
At The Goddard School, your on-site operators will enjoy an ideal work-life balance with standard school weekday hours.
The exact amount needed to set up a franchise can vary depending on your chosen location and other factors. These investments encompass various expenses such as franchise fees, marketing costs, finding an appropriate location, initiating operations, and ongoing expenses post-launch. Please refer to Item 7 of Goddard Franchisor, LLC's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more detailed information on these costs.
Initial Franchise Cost & Support Fees: $263,500 - $295,000
The initial costs consist of the franchise fee, training fee, and initial marketing fee, along with additional components like the site development assistance fee and other administrative costs. Addressing these initial costs associated with the preschool franchise helps establish a reputable early childhood education venture within the selected community.
School Opening Costs: $589,000-$793,000
The cost to open a daycare franchise includes furniture, equipment, curricular materials, marketing materials, computer systems, security systems and other miscellaneous expenses. You’ll also need a lease deposit and the exact amount depends primarily upon building size, location, configuration, financing, and other details outlined in our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
Post-Opening Costs: $100,000-$275,000
Post-opening costs consist of expenses such as payroll, and rent. These ongoing financial considerations ensure the maintenance of your preschool's educational excellence and its role as a nurturing space for both students and staff.
Initial Franchise Cost & Support Fees: $263,500 - $295,000
The initial costs consist of the franchise fee, training fee, and initial marketing fee, along with additional components like the site development assistance fee and other administrative costs. Addressing these initial costs associated with the preschool franchise helps establish a reputable early childhood education venture within the selected community.
School Opening Costs: $1,119,000 - $4,013,000
The cost to open a daycare franchise includes key investments such as furniture, equipment, curriculum materials, marketing assets, technology systems, security features, and other essential startup expenses. You’ll also need to account for a lease deposit, along with funding for building construction and site development.
Post-Opening Costs: $100,000 - $275,000
Post-opening costs consist of expenses such as payroll, and rent. These ongoing financial considerations ensure the maintenance of your preschool's educational excellence and its role as a nurturing space for both students and staff.
Initial Franchise Cost & Support Fees: $263,500 - $295,000
The initial costs consist of the franchise fee, training fee, and initial marketing fee, along with additional components like the site development assistance fee and other administrative costs. Addressing these initial costs associated with the preschool franchise helps establish a reputable early childhood education venture within the selected community.
School Opening Costs: $4,869,000 - $7,998,000
Opening a daycare franchise includes costs for furniture, equipment, curriculum, marketing, computer and security systems, and other essentials. You’ll also need to invest in land, building construction, and site work. Exact costs vary based on factors like building size, location, design, and financing.
Post-Opening Costs: $100,000 - $275,000
After opening, you’ll have ongoing costs like payroll and building loan payments. These expenses are essential to maintaining high educational standards and creating a supportive environment for students and staff.
As a franchisee, you'll also be responsible for paying monthly fees to Goddard. These fees give you access to The Goddard School's brand name, logo, systems, curriculum, marketing resources, and school design, along with ongoing training and support.
Royalty Fee
Marketing Fee
Proprietary Curriculum Fee
*Currently 2%, but may be increased to a maximum of 4%. See Item 5 of Goddard Franchisor, LLC’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more detailed information.
“Our ticket to a better life is through early childhood development.”
- Jyoti & Gagan Verma, Multi-Unit Franchise Owners
“Owning a Goddard School has been very rewarding and allowed me to make a lasting difference in the lives of hundreds of families, including my own.”
- Leisa Byars, Multi-Unit Franchise Owner
“Goddard's proven model empowers franchisees to achieve excellence while making a lasting impact on children and families.”
- Matt Speranza, Multi-Unit Franchise Owner
“Goddard gives me the infrastructure, tools, and support to run highly sought-after quality early childhood education schools while giving back to families across our communities.”
- Dipti Singh, Multi-Unit Franchise Owner
Individual experiences may vary. Testimonials are not intended to represent or guarantee that any current or prospective franchisee will achieve the same or similar results.
We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common questions prospective franchise owners ask. Explore the FAQs below to get a clearer picture of what it means to join the Goddard network.
In 2024, schools open for 18 months or longer had an average EBITDA of $521,987. This amount is based on mature schools opened for 18 months or more as of 2024. EBITDA is defined as gross revenue less all expenses directly related to operating the school excluding interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. You should refer to Item 19 of Goddard Franchisor, LLC’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more information regarding the reported earnings of Goddard School franchises. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you will earn as much as the amounts reported by Goddard School franchisees.
Franchising offers many advantages of business ownership with the support of a proven brand, established systems, and ongoing guidance supported by an established brand, standardized systems, and ongoing guidance.
Investing in early childhood education adds another layer of value: it's a recession-resilient, $71 billion industry projected to grow to $91 billion by 2030. With rising demand for high-quality childcare, it’s a smart, scalable investment that also makes a meaningful impact on families and communities.
Startup costs vary based on location and whether you lease, build, or buy an existing school. For example, build-to-suit lease costs range from $952,500 to $1.36 million, while purchasing land and building a school ranges from $5.23 million to $8.57 million.
These estimates include franchise fees, marketing, site development, initial operations, and ongoing expenses post-opening. We also offer financing support and lender introductions. The average cash injection for a borrower is between 10-15% of the total project costs. Many franchisees also choose to partner with investors to help fund their school. Please also refer to Item 7 of Goddard Franchisor, LLC's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more detailed information on these costs.
Yes, you either need to be a U.S. citizen or have already obtained your green card in order to become a Goddard School franchisee. If you pursue SBA financing for a Goddard School franchise, please note the SBA may have different requirements - visit this link to learn more.
Yes, Goddard supports multi-unit ownership, allowing franchisees to own and operate multiple Goddard School locations. This structure makes it possible to build a thriving, scalable business with several schools under your ownership.
Interested in becoming a Goddard School franchisee? It’s an exciting journey and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Get started today and see how owning a Goddard School can be both a rewarding business venture and a lasting impact on the families you serve.