Primrose Schools vs The Goddard School
Primrose Schools vs The Goddard School: Primrose Schools costs $743K–$8.6M to open; The Goddard School costs $704K–$8.5M. Primrose Schools has 389 units, The Goddard School has 453. SBA loan history: Primrose Schools = 554 loans (0.0% default); The Goddard School = 687 loans (1.2% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Primrose Schools vs The Goddard School: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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
The Goddard School requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($704K vs $743K for Primrose Schools), a 6% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $80K for Primrose Schools versus $135K for The Goddard School, Primrose Schools has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Primrose Schools and 7% for The Goddard School, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Goddard School operates 453 units to Primrose Schools's 389. Primrose Schools has been operating 44 years (founded 1982) versus 38 for The Goddard School (founded 1988), a 6-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
The Goddard School has the deeper SBA lending track record with 687 historical 7(a) approvals versus 554 for Primrose Schools. Primrose Schools's peak SBA year was 2021 (57 loans); The Goddard School's peak was 2019 (69 loans). Primrose Schools's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems concentrate the most SBA-funded units in TX. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Primrose Schools deals is $2.3M vs $1.8M for The Goddard School, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Primrose Schools and 1.2% for The Goddard School, Primrose Schools has the cleaner historical loss profile by 1.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 70 (Strong) for Primrose Schools and 65 (Strong) for The Goddard School, giving Primrose Schools the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 70/100 | 65/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 554 | 687 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 1.2% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $743K – $8.6M | $704K – $8.5M |
Franchise Fee | $80K | $135K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 4% |
Liquid Capital | $1.2M | $150K |
Net Worth Required | $1.2M | $2.0M |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 389 | 453 |
Franchised Units | 389 | 453 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1982 | 1988 |
Franchising Since | 1988 | 1988 |
Years Franchising | 38 yrs | 38 yrs |
Headquarters | FRISCO, TX | King of Prussia, PA |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Primrose Schools or The Goddard School?
Lower upfront capital required
The Goddard School
Primrose Schools: $743K starting · The Goddard School: $704K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Goddard School
Primrose Schools: 554 SBA loans · The Goddard School: 687 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Primrose Schools
Primrose Schools: 0.0% · The Goddard School: 1.2%
Larger system & brand presence
The Goddard School
Primrose Schools: 389 units · The Goddard School: 453 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Primrose Schools: 7% · The Goddard School: 7%
More lender financing options
The Goddard School
Primrose Schools: 106 unique lenders · The Goddard School: 135 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
Primrose Schools vs The Goddard School: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Primrose Schools and The Goddard School is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $704K to $8.6M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Primrose Schools with 554 SBA loans and The Goddard School with 687. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.
Primrose Schools vs The Goddard School, Frequently Asked Questions
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