Kumon vs Mathnasium franchise USA 2026: which one wins on real numbers?
Kumon is the lighter bet on entry — $102K vs $127K (about $26K less). Kumon runs the bigger network at 1705 vs 1043 outlets.
01 What actually matters
Numbers that separate them on a 5-year horizon — not the franchise-development pitch.
Mathnasium charges 10% royalty on revenue — recurring, uncapped, and deducted before your own margin is calculated. Factor it into every pro-forma.
Mathnasium is expanding fastest here — 45 outlets per year since founding in 2003. High-velocity brands signal momentum but also mean new territory for individual franchisees gets handed out quickly; lock in your preferred area early.
02 The numbers, visualised
Primary format per brand, from FDD Item 7. A brand's smaller express or non-traditional formats can cost materially less.
Initial investment (FDD Item 7)
Total initial investment, low end of each brand's FDD Item 7 range for its primary format. Several US brands also run smaller express, non-traditional or conversion formats at materially lower investment — check the brand page for the full Item 7 table.
Network scale — total outlets
Total US outlets from FDD Item 20. Bigger networks mean more brand recognition and supplier scale; smaller ones mean less intra-brand competition in your trade area.
Customer ratings
Which brand's outlets are rated higher by customers, aggregated across locations. Exact star rating and review volume are in Brand Health.
Direction only — the underlying rating & review count are Pro data.
03 Side-by-side
Straight from each brand’s FDD. Green badge marks the more favourable value for a typical first-time operator.
| Metric | Kumon | Mathnasium |
|---|---|---|
| Initial investment (Item 7) | $102K ↓ Lower | $127K |
| Royalty (Item 6) | — | 10% |
| Gross margin | — | — |
| Min space (sq ft) | 1000 ↓ Smaller | 1200 |
| Total US outlets (Item 20) | 1705 ↑ Bigger | 1043 |
| Franchise fee (Item 5) | $2K ↓ Lower | $49K |
| Additional funds | — | — |
Not sure if Kumon or Mathnasium actually fits *you*?
BrandFit asks 6 visual questions about your operator profile, capital, and location — then ranks all 182 brands by predicted success-fit for your situation. See where these brands really stand for someone like you.
Ready to talk to Kumon or Mathnasium?
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04 Explore these brands in depth
Same data plus the full FDD breakdown, fee load, contract fairness and SBA lending picture — free on every brand page.
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05 Frequently asked
Wrapped in FAQPage JSON-LD for SERP rich-result eligibility.
Which Education & Training brand has the largest network in the US?
Kumon operates the largest network among these — 1705 outlets. Large networks offer more brand recognition and supplier scale, but also mean denser intra-brand competition in already-saturated markets.
What is the minimum space required for a Education & Training franchise?
Among these brands, the smallest footprint is Kumon at 1000+ sqft. Square footage is only half the site test — most US franchisors also specify traffic counts, co-tenancy, parking ratios and a trade-area population in the franchise agreement, and will reject a site that hits the minimum footprint but misses those.
Are these Education & Training franchises still awarding territory in my state?
FDD Item 20 lists every outlet by state, plus openings, closures, transfers and terminations for the last three years — the fastest way to see whether a brand is still expanding near you or has gone quiet. Kumon runs the largest network here at 1705 outlets. Note that fourteen states — California, New York, Illinois, Virginia, Washington and others — require franchise registration, so a brand may simply be unregistered in yours.
What is the typical contract term for these Education & Training franchises?
Contract terms among these brands range from Kumon (5-yr term · renewable for additional 5-yr terms if in good standing); Mathnasium (5-yr term · unlimited 5-yr renewals if good standing · $7,000 renewal fee · successor agreement may differ materially). Shorter terms offer renewal leverage but can mean the brand exits a weak market; longer terms lock you in but often include renewal fees. Always clarify renewal terms in writing before signing the initial contract.
What is the best Education & Training franchise in the US in 2026?
Among the 2 brands FRANticc compares, the top options by network size are Kumon, Mathnasium (Kumon: 1705 stores, Mathnasium: 1043 stores). The lowest investment entry is Kumon from $102K. "Best" depends on your capital, your market and how hands-on you plan to be — this page gives you the data for all three dimensions.