LAST UPDATED:  February 2026 FRANCHISE WEBSITE:  https://www.goddardschoolfranchise.com/   NUMBER OF LOCATIONS:  640+ REPORTED COST TO GET IN:  $902,500 - $8,568,000 REPORTED ROI (Item 19):  $2,417,129 (average gross revenue, FY 2024) The Goddard School is a nationally recognized preschool and child care system delivering play-based, academically informed early education for infants through pre-K. It couples a proprietary curriculum with robust family communication and quality-assurance standards across a large, franchisee-owned network. 1. What Is the Brand Overview for The Goddard School? About the Brand The Goddard School concept began in Pennsylvania in 1983. It began expanding via franchising starting in 1988 under entrepreneur Anthony A. Martino (also known for founding Midas & AAMCO). Today the system is led by  Darin Harris , CEO of Goddard Systems, LLC, supported by an executive team spanning development, academics, marketing and technology.  Mission:  Empower families to raise healthy, happy and successful children through high-quality early childhood experiences. Vision:  Deliver research-based, scalable early learning that fosters a lifelong love of learning while strengthening communities. Unique Selling Points (USPs) Proprietary Wonder of Learning™ curriculum emphasizing inquiry, critical thinking and social-emotional growth.  Consistently high national rankings and third-party accolades in franchising and education.  Strong school outcomes and family satisfaction supported by an Educational Advisory Board of leading researchers and clinicians.  Robust school-to-home communication and quality assurance standards. 2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details? Why Franchise With The Goddard School? Proven, lender-friendly model; TopScore FUND recognition; extensive franchisor support.  End-to-end location analysis and real estate guidance backed by demand and demographic data.  Training for enrollment, staffing and operations; ongoing field consulting and standards reviews.  Done-for-you digital marketing and brand communications to drive occupancy. Available Territories Active expansion is highlighted in (but not limited to) Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, San Diego, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City. Visit the brand’s franchise development website for  more information on franchising opportunities with The Goddard School . Investment Overview Initial Costs:  The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a The Goddard School franchise ranges from $902,500 to $8,568,000, depending whether you lease or purchase. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows: Type of Expenditure If You Lease and Landlord Constructs Improvements If You Lease and Find a Building That Needs Improvements If You Purchase the Land and Build the School Initial License Fee $135,000 $135,000 $135,000 Initial Training & Opening Support Fee $35,000 - $42,000 $35,000 - $42,000 $35,000 - $42,000 Initial Marketing Fee $55,000 - $75,000 $55,000 - $75,000 $55,000 - $75,000 Site Development Fee $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 Background Check (up to 4 individuals) $1,500 - $6,000 $1,500 - $6,000 $1,500 - $6,000 Convention Deposit $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 Lease Deposit $20,000 - $50,000 $20,000 - $50,000 — Land Acquisition Cost — — $600,000 - $1,400,000 Building Construction/Site Work — $500,000 - $3,000,000 $3,500,000 - $5,500,000 Building Loan / Finance Costs — $30,000 - $220,000 $200,000 - $300,000 Construction Manager — — $0 - $50,000 Environmental/Soil Testing — — $0 - $5,000 Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment $218,000 - $263,000 $218,000 - $263,000 $218,000 - $263,000 Playground Equipment $140,000 - $240,000 $140,000 - $240,000 $140,000 - $240,000 Marketing Materials, Stationery, Forms & Curricular Resources $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 Signs $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 Computer System, IT Security, Telephone & Digital Signage $26,000 - $40,000 $26,000 - $40,000 $26,000 - $40,000 Security System $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 Miscellaneous Opening Costs $120,000 - $135,000 $120,000 - $135,000 $120,000 - $135,000 Additional Funds (3 Months) $100,000 - $275,000 $100,000 - $275,000 $100,000 - $275,000 Total Estimated Initial Investment (School) $952,500 - $1,363,000 $1,482,500 - $4,583,000 $5,232,500 - $8,568,000 Initial Franchise Fee:  The initial fee required to begin operation of a franchise is $135,000, typically due upon signing the franchise agreement. Qualifying military veterans may be eligible for a $20,000 discount on their first franchise. Ongoing Fees:  According to the 2025 FDD, The Goddard School franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees: Type of Fee Amount Royalty Fee 7% of gross receipts (standard)/month Brand/Marketing Fund 4% of gross receipts (system fund)/month Proprietary Curriculum Fee $700/month Local Advertising Franchisee’s cost ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 596 schools open for over 18 months reported the following gross revenue for FY 2024: Average Median High Low $2,417,129 $2,267,646 $6,411,013 $574,494 3. What Franchisee Support Does The Goddard School Provide? Pre-Opening Support Goddard provides market and location analysis, site validation, introductions to specialized brokers/developers and lender connections to streamline real estate selection and financing. Training Programs Fanchisees receive a blend of virtual and in-person training that covers enrollment, staffing, operations and academic implementation, with ongoing courses and field coaching. Operational Support Dedicated franchise consultants conduct scheduled on-site visits; a standards team oversees health/safety and quality assurance; central marketing and communications teams run digital campaigns to drive occupancy and protect brand reputation. Technology and Tools Franchisees benefit from curriculum and assessment tools (Wonder of Learning™), a family-communication app, centralized marketing dashboards and system reporting support daily operations and quality at scale. 4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for The Goddard School? Eligibility Criteria Liquid Assets:  $250,000 - $300,000 Net Worth:  $750,000 - $1,000,000 Professional backgrounds vary (business, health care, education, etc.); child care experience is not required. U.S. citizenship or a green card is required for ownership. Operational Commitments Each school must have an on-site owner or on-site operator providing day-to-day leadership. Semi-absentee ownership is not the model, and active leadership is expected. Funding Assistance Goddard maintains relationships with nationwide lenders and provides guidance through SBA and conventional loan processes. 5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories? “The educational support and the overall operational guidance is just phenomenal.” -  Imran Ahmad , Multi-Unit Co-Owner — New Jersey “The policies are all in place for you in order for you to run your own business. We follow our processes, we follow our quality assurance at Goddard, but we can add additional things to our schools … We can customize our classrooms as to what our children's interests are. These children are going home happy.” -  Sumara Ahmad , Multi-Unit Co-Owner — New Jersey 6. What Is the Market Potential for Early Childhood Education? The United States child care market is  estimated at $65.1 billion and projected to reach around $110 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 6.0 percent . Demand remains elevated as more parents return to in-office work and as states expand early education support. Meanwhile,  65 to 70 percent of U.S. children under 6 have all available parents in the workforce , underscoring structural demand for dependable early learning. Competitor Analysis Goddard competes with national and regional providers such as  Primrose Schools, KinderCare, Bright Horizons,  The Learning Experience and  Lightbridge Academy . Goddard’s differentiators include  a large, franchisee-owned U.S. footprint and brand recognition; a research-informed proprietary curriculum and advisory board; and centralized marketing plus rigorous standards oversight that drive occupancy and consistency. 7. What Is the Application Process for The Goddard School Franchisees? Initial Conversation:  Connect with a member of the franchise development team to learn about requirements, expectations and the overall process of joining The Goddard School system. Review the FDD: Receive and review the FDD, which outlines the business model, fees and legal details. You’ll have a chance to discuss the document and ask questions with the team. Complete the No-Fee Application: Submit a brief application that shares your background, experience and goals. This helps the brand assess your fit and understand your vision as a potential owner. Explore the Goddard Difference: Take a deeper look at what sets Goddard apart, including its curriculum, brand reputation and franchisee support in real estate, financing and operations. Attend Virtual Discovery Day: Meet the executive leadership team in an interactive session designed to ensure mutual alignment on values, expectations and long-term goals. Start Your Journey as an Owner: Once approved, sign the franchise agreement and begin the site selection process with support from Goddard’s real estate and opening teams as you move toward opening your school. Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our  Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.  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 information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. 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