Top Markets for Goddard School Locations
Goddard is expanding nationwide and several top markets have immediate opportunities for new school locations. Don’t see your city listed? We can help you identify strong neighborhood markets in your area.
Huntsville, AL
One of Alabama’s fastest-growing cities. Its booming job growth in tech, aerospace, & defense drives demand for quality early childhood education.
Phoenix, AZ
One of the fastest-growing job markets in the U.S. Young professionals arrive in droves, creating a growing need for premium childcare facilities.
Bakersfield, CA
One of the fastest-growing workforces in the U.S., Bakersfield’s family-focused neighborhoods are a prime opportunity for early education providers.
Fresno, CA
The city's diverse and family-oriented population drives a growing demand for a dependable, high-quality learning centers for children.
Los Angeles, CA
This cultural hub is an ideal market for high-quality childcare thanks to high demand, favorable regulations, and a large population of working parents.
Napa, CA
An affluent community with a strong emphasis on quality of life & education. Its family-oriented values require premium early education services.
Salinas, CA
A fast-growing city with a young population and strong ties to agriculture. Rising family density makes it a high-demand market for early education.
San Diego, CA
This city is home to close-knit neighborhoods, a growing populations & high incomes. An ideal spot for investing in premium early education.
San Jose, CA
A major tech hub with high incomes and a large population of working parents. Ideal for premium early education in a city that values quality care.
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
An affluent area with high incomes and educated parents. Its proximity to the Bay makes it ideal for premium childcare.
Stockton, CA
A diverse, expanding city with a median age under 34. The growing population of young families continue to boost demand for reliable childcare.
The Bay Area, CA
A high-income region with dense family neighborhoods and a strong focus on education. Premium childcare is in high demand among working parents.
Boulder, CO
With a well-educated population and deep commitment to lifelong learning, Boulder offers a strong foundation for high-quality early childhood education.
Washington, D.C.
A culturally diverse city with an emphasis on education. Its large, educated population makes it an ideal choice for premium childcare facilities.
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
One of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. A 4% population surge is bringing in families seeking reliable childcare.
Miami, FL
This city’s low taxes, stable job market, & diversified population have made it a highly desirable city for new businesses, including private early childhood education.
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
A coastal metro area reaching over 620,000 residents. Its expanding communities & family-friendly environment drive demand for quality early education.
Gainesville, GA
An emerging hub in Georgia. The city's expanding economy and family-friendly environment create a strong demand for quality childcare services.
Warner Robins, GA
A burgeoning city with a projected population of 89,382 in 2025. Its strong military presence & growing young families create a need for quality childcare.
Des Moines, IA
Iowa’s capital has many working families but limited childcare, making this a high-potential market for Goddard Schools.
Iowa City, IA
A growing Midwestern city with high household incomes and strong public investment in education. Ideal for families seeking premium childcare.
Boise City, ID
A tech hub drawing young professionals and new families. Rapid job & population growth fuels interest in quality education.
Bloomington, IL
A thriving Midwestern hub. Its family-first culture supports rising interest in early education.
Chicago, IL
One of the largest metro areas in the U.S. with a high density of working parents. Consistent demand makes it a strong fit for opening a private preschool.
Louisville, KY
Families in this booming city enjoy a great quality of life, low cost of living and access to high quality education, making in the perfect place for your school.
Baton Rouge, LA
A thriving metro of nearly 870,000, where growth in major industries is driving strong demand for high-quality private preschools.
Lafayette, LA
A mid-sized metro area with a population of 400,000+. Its strong cultural identity & expanding family base create demand for quality early education.
New Orleans, LA
A culturally rich metro area with a population exceeding 1 million. Its diverse and growing communities seek quality early education options.
Portland, ME
This thriving economy with a concentration of dual-income young professionals have created a market where families are actively seeking quality childcare services.
Boston, MA
Boston's economy—anchored by the healthcare, biotech, and education sectors—has a high concentration of working professional families.
Detroit, MI
One of the nation’s top 10 cities for economic growth. It’s an attractive city for young families, driving demand for premium early childcare services.
Grand Rapids, MI
A metropolitan area of 1M+ with a diverse economy and vibrant culture that draws young families looking for early education.
Minneapolis, MN
One of the more affordable places to live for young adults and families. Its thriving economy supports steady demand for educational services for kids.
Kansas City, MO-KS
A metropolitan area with population of 2M+. Its diverse economy and vibrant community attract young families seeking quality education.
Albuquerque, NM
Its economy, driven by sectors like tech, education, & healthcare, provides a stable environment for businesses, including premium daycare centers.
Buffalo, NY
This city is home to a large population of dual-income families. The focus on early childhood education makes it an excellent choice for opening a school.
New York, NY
With a population nearing 8.5M, its dense urban environment & high concentration of working families create a strong demand for high-quality childcare.
Toledo, OH
An affordable mid-sized city with young, energetic neighborhoods. Working parents are actively seeking better early childhood education options.
Tulsa, OK
A dynamic city with arts, industry, and rising affordability. Young professionals and families are seeking more early education options.
Bend, OR
One of the fastest-growing job markets in the U.S., it draws young professionals seeking strong quality of life and reliable childcare.
Portland, OR
This city's progressive values and emphasis on sustainability attract families seeking holistic early academic programs & preschools.
Sioux Falls, SD
Among the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest. Strong job growth and family migration are driving demand for high-quality early education.
Knoxville, TN
A city known for its vibrant culture and growing economy. Its emphasis on education & family life creates a strong demand for quality childcare services.
Amarillo, TX
A growing city with 26.8% of residents under 18 and a median age of 34.1, Amarillo is home to young families seeking dependable childcare services.
College Station-Bryan, TX
This city has a large, relatively young population. Establishing a Goddard School here would cater to the needs of both academic and working families.
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
One of the top 10 fastest-growing franchising markets in the U.S. This city is also known for having a community that caters to early childhood education.
Houston, TX
With 71,000 new jobs projected and an influx of young families, this metropolitan area is seeing rising demand for private preschool options.
Lubbock, TX
A steadily growing metro anchored by Texas Tech University. Its expanding population creates a robust environment for early childhood education.
Midland, TX
One of the top 10 fastest-growing areas in the U.S. Its booming energy sector & influx of young families fuel demand for quality childcare services.
San Antonio, TX
This city’s rich history and relatively low cost of living makes it popular with families, creating a steady demand for private preschools & childhood education.
Temple, TX
A healthcare and education hub seeing rapid population growth. Affordable housing and new development attract families in need of childcare.
Waco, TX
With a median age of 29.8 and expanding key industries, this family-friendly city is primed for dependable childcare & early education.
Salt Lake City, UT
This city boasts high birth rates and strong community values around education. This drives a growing demand for premium early learning programs.
Virginia Beach, VA
A coastal city with a stable economy and 30% of households with kids under 18 make this vibrant area a strong fit for top-tier early learning centers.
Milwaukee, WI
This market has a high concentration of working families who are in need of reliable childcare & early education.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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Will Goddard provide assistance with finding a location?
You will be assigned a real estate manager to assist you throughout the real estate process. If you do not already have a relationship with a commercial real estate broker, we’ll help you connect with one who understands our location requirements. The bottom line is The Goddard School will be there to guide you every step of the way to help you find a location.
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How much does it cost to open a Goddard School Franchise?
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. Check out our financial requirements page to learn more. Please also refer to Item 7 of Goddard Franchisor, LLC's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more detailed information on these costs.
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Do I need to have a background in childcare to own a Goddard School?
Not at all! The Goddard brand is centered on fostering a love of learning for our students and our franchisees who come from a variety of industry backgrounds. Our team of business and education experts will work with you to understand and create a fun learning environment for the families in your community.
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Will I be required to work in the school?
One of the hallmarks of The Goddard School is that every school has either an on-site owner or an on-site operator to provide day-to-day leadership.
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Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to own a Goddard Franchise?
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.
Get Started
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.