The Goddard School vs Tutor Time
The Goddard School vs Tutor Time: The Goddard School costs $704K–$8.5M to open; Tutor Time costs $98K–$751K. The Goddard School has 453 units, Tutor Time has 80. SBA loan history: The Goddard School = 687 loans (1.2% default); Tutor Time = 108 loans (12.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
The Goddard School vs Tutor Time — 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
Tutor Time requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($98K vs $704K for The Goddard School), a 618% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $135K for The Goddard School versus $55K for Tutor Time — Tutor Time has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Goddard School operates 453 units to Tutor Time's 80 — roughly 6× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
The Goddard School has the deeper SBA lending track record with 687 historical 7(a) approvals versus 108 for Tutor Time. The Goddard School's peak SBA year was 2019 (69 loans); Tutor Time's peak was 1997 (15 loans). The Goddard School's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, The Goddard School concentrates in TX (85 SBA-funded units) while Tutor Time leads in NY (21) — pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded The Goddard School deals is $1.8M vs $282K for Tutor Time — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 1.2% for The Goddard School and 12.0% for Tutor Time — The Goddard School has the cleaner historical loss profile by 10.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 65 (Strong) for The Goddard School and 27 (Fair) for Tutor Time, giving The Goddard School the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 65/100 | 27/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 687 | 108 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 1.2% | 12.0% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $704K – $8.5M | $98K – $751K |
Franchise Fee | $135K | $55K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 4% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $150K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $2.0M | $200K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 453 | 80 |
Franchised Units | 453 | 80 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 15 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1988 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1988 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 38 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | King of Prussia, PA | CONGERS, NY |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better — The Goddard School or Tutor Time?
Lower upfront capital required
Tutor Time
The Goddard School: $704K starting · Tutor Time: $98K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Goddard School
The Goddard School: 687 SBA loans · Tutor Time: 108 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
The Goddard School
The Goddard School: 1.2% · Tutor Time: 12.0%
Larger system & brand presence
The Goddard School
The Goddard School: 453 units · Tutor Time: 80 units
More lender financing options
The Goddard School
The Goddard School: 135 unique lenders · Tutor Time: 45 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
The Goddard School vs Tutor Time: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing The Goddard School and Tutor Time is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $98K to $8.5M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — The Goddard School with 687 SBA loans and Tutor Time with 108. 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.