Franchise Deep Dive: Primrose Schools' Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

The private preschool franchise is on a mission to transform the future of early education, and it is looking for qualified owners to partner with.

By Victoria CampisiStaff Writer

Updated 4:33 PM • 03/30/23

LAST UPDATED: 1/2024

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://franchise.primroseschools.com/

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 500+

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $651,900–$8,454,000

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): N/A

Primrose Schools is a national system of accredited private preschools that provides a premier early education and child care experience for children and families. Since being founded in 1982, there are 483 Primrose Schools in 33 states today.

The brand has been ranked the top child care franchise by Entrepreneur for six consecutive years and named as one of the best franchises to buy in America by Forbes. Each school is independently owned and operated by franchise owners who are provided with an exclusive approach to early education called Balanced Learning®. Primrose has franchising opportunities available in markets throughout the U.S., and is seeking qualified potential owners to join the brand's rapid expansion and mission to transform the future of early education.

How Many Locations Are There?

In 2023, Primrose Schools celebrated the opening of its 500th school. This milestone followed a year of significant growth, including the opening of 20 new schools. The company's national expansion plan includes 180 schools in the pipeline across major cities such as Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Washington D.C.

In a press release, CEO Jo Kirchner, emphasized the commitment to service excellence and innovation since the first franchise. The company aims to inspire a lifelong love of learning through its award-winning curriculum, designed to nurture resourcefulness, creativity, and curiosity. The curriculum integrates STEAM-based activities, focusing on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

The milestone opening highlights Primrose Schools' 41 years of leadership in early education, prioritizing purposeful play and kindergarten readiness. In the 2022-2023 school year, 95% of Primrose Pre-K students demonstrated readiness by mastering key academic and social-emotional concepts. The company partners with franchise owners in 34 states.

What Is the Business Model?

The Primrose Schools franchise model is built on four key pillars:

Turnkey: Sleep well knowing every building block for the foundation of your Primrose school has been researched, planned, equipped, supported and delivered. Play kitchen sink included.
Flexibility: Monday through Friday business hours allow you the flexibility to manage your own time and balance your quality of life. Still, lots of franchise owners choose to put in extra hours engaging in outreach, community activities and networking.
Security: Child care is an essential service. The stability of the industry and the Primrose brand are reasons why Primrose Schools has the lowest Small Business Administration loan failure rate among childhood education brands.
Purpose: Primrose franchise owners are making an important difference by meeting the need for quality early learning and care for children and families in their communities.

Notably, approximately one-in-fourPrimrose franchisees have multiple schools.

How Much Can Primrose Schools Franchise Owners Make?

Primrose Schools does not make earnings for franchise owners publicly available. However, SharpSheets estimates that the average Primrose Schools franchise makes around $649,000 in profits per year.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Primrose School?

The total cost to open a Primrose Schools franchise varies depending on which of the following options franchisees choose.

Lease Investment Option (Permanent Lease Program)

Initial Franchise Fee: $50,000 - $80,000
Real Estate Fee Deposit: $25,000
Balance of Real Estate Fee: $30,000 - $45,000
Security Deposit for Lease and Limited Rent Guarantee Fee: $15,000 - $125,000
Other Real Estate and Development Costs: $2,229,900 - $4,738,200
Utility Security Deposits: $10,000 - $30,000
School Equipment and Supplies: $222,000 - $340,000
Insurance: $5,000 - $10,000
Initial Training and Opening Support Fee: $35,000
Marketing, Advertising, and Grand Opening: $40,000 - $105,000
Transportation Vehicles: $900 - $42,000
Licenses: $4,000 - $7,000
Miscellaneous: $10,000 - $45,000
Financing Cost: $232,000 - $233,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months: $180,000 - $420,000
Total: $3,088,800 - $6,280,200

Build-To-Suit Program

Initial Franchise Fee: $50,000 - $80,000
Real Estate Fee Deposit: $25,000
Security Deposit for Lease and Limited Rent Guarantee Fee: $15,000 - $250,000
Utility Security Deposits: $10,000 - $30,000
School Equipment and Supplies: $222,000 - $340,000
Insurance: $5,000 - $10,000
Initial Training and Opening Support Fee: $35,000
Marketing, Advertising, and Grand Opening: $40,000 - $105,000
Transportation Vehicles: $900 - $42,000
Licenses: $4,000 - $7,000
Miscellaneous: $10,000 - $45,000
Financing Cost: $55,000 - $75,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months: $180,000 - $420,000
Total: $651,900 - $1,464,000

Investment Purchase Option (Real Estate Affiliate Development Program)

Initial Franchise Fee: $50,000 - $80,000
Real Estate Fee Deposit: $25,000
Balance of Real Estate Fee: $30,000 - $45,000
Other Real Estate and Development Costs: $4,760,600 - $6,959,500
Utility Security Deposits: $10,000 - $30,000
School Equipment and Supplies: $222,000 - $340,000
Insurance: $5,000 - $10,000
Initial Training and Opening Support Fee: $35,000
Marketing, Advertising, and Grand Opening: $40,000 - $105,000
Transportation Vehicles: $900 - $42,000
Licenses: $4,000 - $7,000
Miscellaneous: $10,000 - $45,000
Financing Cost: $258,000 - $310,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months: $180,000 - $420,000
Total: $5,630,500 - $8,453,500

Site First Option

Initial Franchise Fee: $50,000 - $80,000
Real Estate Fee Deposit: $25,000
Security Deposit for Lease and Limited Rent Guarantee Fee: $125,000 - $150,000
Other Real Estate and Development Costs: $10,000 - $25,000
Utility Security Deposits: $10,000 - $30,000
School Equipment and Supplies: $222,000 - $340,000
Insurance: $5,000 - $10,000
Initial Training and Opening Support Fee: $35,000
Marketing, Advertising, and Grand Opening: $40,000 - $105,000
Transportation Vehicles: $900 - $42,000
Licenses: $4,000 - $7,000
Miscellaneous: $10,000 - $45,000
Financing Cost: $19,000 - $30,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months: $180,000 - $420,000
Total: $735,900 - $1,344,000

What Is the Franchise Fee for Primrose Schools?

The franchise fee for Primrose Schools ranges from $50,000–$80,000.

Who Are the Leaders of Primrose Schools?

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More?

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