Kidville vs Mad Science
Kidville vs Mad Science: Kidville costs $198K to $263K to open; Mad Science costs $508K to $2.0M. Kidville has 12 units, Mad Science has 36. SBA loan history: Kidville = 14 loans (7.1% default); Mad Science = 38 loans (13.2% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Kidville vs Mad Science: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Kidville requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($198K vs $508K for Mad Science), a 61% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $10K for Kidville versus $49K for Mad Science, Kidville has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Kidville and 3% for Mad Science, giving Mad Science the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Mad Science operates 36 units to Kidville's 12, roughly 3× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Mad Science has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 38 7(a) approvals compared with 14 for Kidville.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.1% for Kidville and 13.2% for Mad Science, Kidville has the cleaner SBA loss record by 6.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 38 (Fair) for Kidville and 30 (Fair) for Mad Science, giving Kidville the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 38/100 | 30/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 14 | 38 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.1% | 13.2% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $198K to $263K | $508K to $2.0M |
Franchise Fee | $10K | $49K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 3% |
Ad Fund | 3% | 3.5% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 12 | 36 |
Franchised Units | 12 | 36 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2010 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | New York, NY | MD |
Category | Educational Support Services | Educational Support Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Kidville or Mad Science?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Kidville: $198K starting · Mad Science: $508K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Mad Science
Kidville: 14 SBA loans · Mad Science: 38 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Kidville
Kidville: 7.1% · Mad Science: 13.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Kidville: 12 units · Mad Science: 36 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Mad Science
Kidville: 7% · Mad Science: 3%
More lender financing options
Mad Science
Kidville: 4 unique lenders · Mad Science: 21 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Kidville vs Mad Science: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Kidville and Mad Science is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $198K to $2.0M.
Kidville has 14 SBA loans on record and Mad Science has 38. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Kidville vs Mad Science, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Kidville or Mad Science?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Kidville or Mad Science?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman