Mad Science
The total investment to open a Mad Science franchise ranges from $508,320 to $2.0M. The initial franchise fee is $49,000. Ongoing royalties are 3% plus a 3.5% advertising fee.
What is the Mad Science franchise?
Mad Science provides educational support services focused on inspiring children through science. For decades, the brand has used hands on, interactive programs to make scientific principles accessible and engaging for young learners. Its approach has supported curiosity and critical thinking in millions of children across various settings.
The Mad Science franchise brings these programs to local communities through curriculum aligned activities. Its model centers on demonstrations, experiments, and participatory workshops delivered beyond traditional classroom settings. The brand’s approach to STEM education is designed to help children understand scientific concepts while building lasting interest in discovery and innovation.
Mad Science serves parents and educators seeking additional academic and personal enrichment for children. Its programs aim to make science fun, accessible, and relevant, supporting the brand’s reputation as a provider of supplementary educational services in the children’s enrichment market. Experiential learning is central to the offering and sets it apart from conventional educational programs. The source presents this market position as supporting a franchise business that can be financially rewarding.
Loan Activity Score
30/100
SBA Default Rate
13.2%
Active Lenders
21
According to its Franchise Disclosure Document or public business records, Mad Science has 36 locations, all owned by franchisees. Public SBA loan records show 21 lenders made 38 loans to franchisees of Mad Science. PeerSense calculates Mad Science's score as 30 out of 100, using public SBA loan performance and recent lending activity. Cost figures are based on the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document.
36 locations
$508,320 to $2.0M
$49,000
36
36 franchised
Proprietary PeerSense metric
LimitedDistinct lenders in public SBA records for Mad Science
38
Total SBA loans
$108K
Average loan size
Source: public SBA 7(a) and 504 loan records through December 31, 2025
Referral fee at closing
SBA Lending Activity for Mad Science
Loan Activity Score Breakdown
Established (25 to 99 loans)
Are lenders increasingly or decreasingly funding this brand? Growing trends score highest.
Blended default rate (recent + all time) compared to NAICS sector peers.
Quality lenders actively backing this brand, with penalty for lender pullback.
FDD availability, Item 19 disclosure, and overall data completeness.
Geographic spread of SBA funded locations across states.
SBA Lending Performance
SBA Default Rate
13.2%
vs 10.8% peer avg
SBA Loans
38
Total Volume
$4.1M
Active Lenders
21
2 selective
States
21
vs. SBA Sector Average
SBA loan default rate vs. all franchises in the same NAICS sector, not limited to direct competitors
Key Highlights
Franchise Financing Resources
Data Insights
Key performance metrics for Mad Science based on SBA lending data
SBA Default Rate
13.2%
2.4% above peer avg
SBA Loan Volume
38 loans
Across 21 lenders
Lender Diversity
21 lenders
Avg 1.8 loans per lender
Investment Tier
Premium investment
$508,320 to $2,048,605 total
Mad Science: Deep SBA Data
Brand specific metrics derived directly from SBA 7(a) approval records: peak lending year, leading state, average loan size, and lender concentration. PeerSense computes these per brand so capital advisors and prospective franchisees can benchmark this opportunity against the rest of the franchise universe.
Peak SBA Year
1998
6 approvals. The best year on record for Mad Science.
Top SBA State
California
7 SBA financed Mad Science locations, the densest operator footprint.
Average Loan Size
$166K
Median $350K. Use as a sizing anchor when modeling your own Mad Science unit.
Lender Concentration
51.2%
Concentrated
Share of Mad Science approvals captured by the top 3 SBA lenders.
Mad Science's SBA lending pipeline peaked in 1998 (6 approvals). Operator density is highest in California with 7 SBA financed locations. Average funded ticket sits at $166K, with the median at $350K. Lender mix is concentrated: the top three SBA lenders account for 51.2% of approvals. Credit decisions concentrate with a small group of incumbents.
Payment Estimator
Estimated Monthly Payment
$5,262
Principal & Interest only
Indicative only, as of October 1, 2026. Not a quote, commitment or offer of credit. Final pricing, leverage and terms are determined by the lender at underwriting, after full transaction materials are reviewed. PeerSense sources the file. The lender sets pricing. What these terms mean.
Locations
Mad Science, unit breakdown
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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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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