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

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?

• Jo Kirchner – CEO
• Steve Clemente – President
• Tim Roush – Chief Marketing Officer
• Annette Heng – Chief School Excellence Officer
• Nick Koros – Chief Development Officer
• Amy Jackson – Chief Early Learning Strategy Officer 
• Avery Ma – Chief Technology Officer
• Sarah Funk – Senior Vice President, Chief Talent and Performance Officer 
• Tim Waldsmith – Vice President, Strategic Development

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More?

• Primrose Schools® Closes Out 40th Year with Impressive Recognition and Growth
• Brands Winning at Franchise Marketing: Primrose School Franchising Co.
• How to Open a Primrose Preschool
• Start a Primrose School Franchise in 2024
• Primrose Schools® Celebrates 500th Location with Appreciation to the Students, Staff, Teachers, and Owners Behind the National Franchise’s Four Decades of Early Education Innovation

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves. 

Check out these three 1851 brands:

Sylvan Learning*

• 1851 Brand Page
• Franchise Development Page
• Number of Open Locations (as of 1/12/2024): 710+
• Investment Range: $98,087–$199,582

Mathnasium* 

• 1851 Brand Page
• Franchise Development Page
• Number of Open Locations (as of 1/12/2024): 1,000+
• Investment Range: $112,860–$149,155 

Lightbridge Academy*®

• 1851 Brand Page
• Franchise Development Page
• Number of Open Locations (as of 1/12/2024): 65+
• Investment Range: Leased Center: $621,233–$937,900; Purchased Center: $2,611,900–$5,202,500

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.