Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Best Brains is an after-school enrichment franchise that teaches math, English, abacus and coding to children ages 3 to 14.
Best Brains had 203 U.S. centers at the end of 2025, up from 164 a year earlier. Its 2026 FDD projects 48 new franchised centers this year. Candidates can choose between a Premium Learning Center and a Teacher Learning Center, which has no franchise or training fee for qualifying certified teachers.
About the Brand
Best Brains, Inc. was formed in Illinois in August 2011, and the franchisor and its related companies have operated Best Brains learning centers since then. The brand began franchising in the U.S. in April 2013 and is based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Ajay Sunkara has been president since the company’s founding. Hana Adas, who joined as a manager in 2011, has been vice president of operations since 2016.
Best Brains added 39 U.S. centers in 2025, according to its 2026 FDD. Texas had the most franchised centers, with 58. Illinois and North Carolina followed with 17 each. The brand also had 62 centers in Canada, five in India, three in Australia and one in the United Kingdom through affiliated entities as of Dec. 31, 2025.
The brand’s consumer site said Best Brains provides “support for all students to Be Their Best inside or out of the classroom.”
Unique Selling Points (USPs)
Why Franchise With Best Brains?
Available Territories
The FDD projects 48 new franchised centers in 2026. Texas accounts for 20 of them and California for five. Best Brains does not grant exclusive territories. Franchisees get approval for one location, but the company can approve other centers nearby. Applicants can submit a preferred market on the Best Brains franchise website.
Investment Overview
Initial Costs: Opening a Premium Learning Center is estimated to cost between $49,850 and $134,300. The range for a Teacher Learning Center is $29,850 to $74,300, and owners must hold a U.S. or Canadian teaching certificate. The FDD lists the estimated costs for both formats below.
The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Premium Min | Premium Max | Teacher Min | Teacher Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $14,500 | $14,500 | $0 | $0 |
| Training Fee | $3,500 | $3,500 | $0 | $0 |
| Initial Inventory and Equipment | $1,000 | $10,600 | $1,000 | $10,600 |
| Travel and Living During Training | $550 | $2,000 | $550 | $2,000 |
| Lease Security Deposit | $1,500 | $6,000 | $1,000 | $3,500 |
| Utility Security Deposits | $0 | $500 | $0 | $500 |
| First Month’s Rent | $1,500 | $7,000 | $1,000 | $3,500 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $3,500 | $50,000 | $2,500 | $15,000 |
| Signage | $500 | $6,000 | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| Furniture and Fixtures | $5,000 | $8,000 | $4,000 | $9,000 |
| Office Equipment and Supplies | $500 | $1,000 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Licenses and Permits | $200 | $500 | $200 | $500 |
| Professional Fees | $0 | $1,000 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Insurance | $100 | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $14,000 | $14,000 | $14,000 | $14,000 |
| Grand Opening Representative Fee | $3,500 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $0 | $6,000 | $0 | $6,000 |
The franchisor recommends a 1,000 to 1,500 square foot center. Premium centers typically sit in retail strip centers, while Teacher centers are smaller and non-retail.
Initial Franchise Fee: The Premium Learning Center franchise fee is $14,500, plus a $3,500 training fee, both paid when the franchise agreement is signed. The fee drops to $12,000 for an owner’s second location. Teacher Learning Centers pay no franchise fee or training fee.
Honorably discharged U.S. veterans have the training fee waived. Every franchisee also pays a $3,500 Grand Opening Representative Fee to cover a corporate representative’s attendance at the opening. Current franchisees approved to expand can pay $2,500 for a 90-day option to search for a new site, credited toward the franchise fee if they sign.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Best Brains franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 14% of Regular Gross Sales and Additional Program Sales, $750 monthly minimum |
| Aftercare Royalty | 7% of Add-on Program Sales |
| Brand Development Fund | $1 per subject per student, up to $3 per student, $250 monthly minimum |
| Local Advertising | At least $250 per month |
| Technology Fee | $40 to $80 per month, based on enrollment |
| Student Worksheets and Instructional Materials | $20 per student per month for all four subjects, plus $3 per student for the abacus |
| Subject Material Fee | $5 to $8 per subject per month |
| Support Fee | $1 per subject per student per month |
The royalty rises to 18% for up to six months if a center receives a poor review in a franchisor audit, which begins six to 12 months after the first student enrolls. Franchisees also owe a $500 annual conference fee, which is refunded if they attend.
ROI Potential: Best Brains does not provide a financial performance representation in Item 19 of its 2026 FDD, and it does not authorize its representatives to make earnings claims.
Pre-Opening Support
The franchisor reviews each proposed site and lease and aims to respond within 30 days. It ships the initial inventory of worksheets, instructional materials, abacuses, equipment and center décor. Franchisees spend at least $14,000 on grand opening advertising under a marketing plan the franchisor approves, and a corporate representative attends the opening.
Training Programs
Initial training runs 14 days at a Best Brains center in the Chicago area, typically one to 10 weeks after signing. It covers 34 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of on-the-job training in center development, human resources, marketing, finance, administration and technical operations. The franchisor also provides about three days of on-site assistance near the opening. Owners may be required to attend up to five days of refresher training each year.
Operational Support
Franchisees get a 340-page Operations Manual and ongoing advisory support, delivered electronically or at the corporate office. The franchisor supplies recommended minimum prices for each market and produces marketing materials in-house through the Brand Development Fund. Each center gets its own page on the Best Brains website, and the bbSupport app connects enrolled students with certified teachers hired by corporate.
Technology and Tools
Centers run on the BEST BRAINS Educational Assistant portal, which tracks student enrollment and performance reports. The FDD estimates the required computer system at $2,000 to $3,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Best Brains does not publish minimum liquid asset or net worth requirements on its franchise site or in its FDD.
Operational Commitments
Owners must personally supervise the center on premises, and all center managers and assistants must complete the brand’s training and certification. The franchise term is five years, renewable for another five. Centers typically open eight to 12 weeks after signing. A franchisee who exits outside the agreement’s terms, or is terminated for cause, owes $30,000 in liquidated damages.
Funding Assistance
Best Brains finances up to $30,000 of startup costs for Teacher Learning Centers at 0% interest, with a minimum $3,000 down payment. Repayment runs 24 months, beginning on the first day of class. The franchisor does not offer financing for Premium Learning Centers.
“I am a parent myself, and I have found that owning a Best Brains center still allows me to maintain my work-life balance. It requires about the same time a part-time job would, yet it is very rewarding work.”
Visit the Best Brains franchise website for more franchisee testimonials.
The U.S. private tutoring market is forecast to grow by $32.44 billion from 2026 to 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 11.3%, according to a May 2026 Technavio report. Best Brains’ FDD identifies parents of young children as its primary market and said sales run year-round but peak during the school year.
Competitor Analysis
Best Brains competes with traditional schools, private tutors, home study and other learning centers, according to its FDD. Among franchised tutoring brands, Sylvan Learning reported more than 710 locations and Huntington Learning Center more than 250 in February 2026. Best Brains pairs a core program of math, English, abacus and coding with a separate franchise model for certified teachers.
Candidates must receive the FDD at least 14 days before signing a franchise agreement. According to the FDD, centers typically open eight to 12 weeks after the agreement is signed.
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