Mathnasium franchise startup costs run $112K–$153K for a math tutoring center of 1,200–1,800 sq ft. The 10% royalty is high for the tutoring segment but is backed by strong brand recognition and a proven curriculum.
Mathnasium is a math-only supplemental tutoring franchise founded in 2002. The brand operates centers where students in grades 2–12 attend sessions using the proprietary Mathnasium Method — a curriculum built on number sense and conceptual understanding. As of 2026, the franchise network includes approximately 1,100 US locations. The model is center-based (not home-based), typically in strip malls or similar neighborhood retail locations.
Per the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), total estimated initial investment for a Mathnasium Learning Center runs $112,000–$153,000. Key cost categories include:
Mathnasium charges a 10% royalty on gross revenue — one of the higher royalty rates in the supplemental education segment. The advertising contribution is 2% of gross revenue. The high royalty reflects the brand's ongoing curriculum development, proprietary assessment tools, and the instructional support infrastructure that individual operators access through the franchise relationship. Franchisees should model break-even at 30–40 enrolled students depending on local pricing.
Mathnasium requires prospective franchisees to demonstrate net worth of $150,000 or more and liquid capital of $93,000 or more at the time of application. These thresholds ensure franchisees can cover the initial investment without being fully leveraged from day one. Education-focused franchisees often come from corporate backgrounds rather than entrepreneurial ones — Mathnasium's training and support infrastructure is designed with that profile in mind.
Mathnasium is a supplemental tutoring service, not a licensed school. In most states, supplemental tutoring centers do not require an education license. However, some states may impose child-services or childcare registration requirements depending on the age range served and hours of operation. Franchisees should confirm applicable state requirements during site selection. A standard state business license and local commercial zoning permit are required in all markets.
Mathnasium is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. At $112K–$153K total investment, several financing paths apply; the SBA Microloan Program (up to $50K) may be relevant for partial funding:
Mathnasium is on the SBA Franchise Directory. At $112K–$153K, the investment range is accessible relative to most retail or food service franchises. The tutoring center model generates recurring monthly revenue from enrolled students. Key underwriting factors lenders evaluate:
The $49K franchise fee is due at signing and is not separately financed via SBA. The SBA 7(a) loan covers leasehold improvements, furniture, equipment, technology, and working capital — typically $63K–$104K of the total project. Ensure personal equity covers both the franchise fee and the SBA minimum equity injection simultaneously before committing to the franchise agreement.
ClearValue Lending works with education franchise operators at every stage — from pre-opening equipment financing to working capital lines as enrollment grows. Apply at Find my match. Your file routes to one matched lender. Use our business loan calculator to model costs.
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $112,000–$153,000 for a standard Mathnasium Learning Center. The $49,000 franchise fee is the largest single line item. Location build-out and working capital are the primary variables.
Mathnasium has strong brand recognition in the supplemental education segment and a proven curriculum model. The 10% royalty is high relative to other education franchises, so franchisees need healthy enrollment numbers to generate meaningful owner income. The model performs best in suburban markets with engaged school communities and middle-income households prioritizing academic achievement.
No. Mathnasium does not require franchisees to be educators or hold teaching credentials. The franchisee role is business owner and manager — you hire and supervise instructors. Mathnasium provides instructor training through its proprietary curriculum system.
Yes. Mathnasium is on the SBA Franchise Directory. SBA 7(a) is the standard financing path at this investment size. SBA microloans can supplement equity for smaller financing gaps.
SBA guidelines set a minimum DSCR of 1.15× — the business must generate $1.15 in cash flow for every $1.00 in annual debt service. In practice, lenders for education franchise startups typically require 1.25×–1.35×. Mathnasium's combined fee load of 12% (10% royalty + 2% ad fee) is a significant deduction from gross revenue — the pro forma must accurately model this when projecting net cash flow. Year-one projections should use conservative enrollment ramp curves rather than steady-state assumptions. Source: SBA Standard Operating Procedure 50 10 7 (sba.gov).
SBA requires a minimum 10% equity injection of total project cost. At Mathnasium's $112K–$153K investment range, that equates to $11K–$31K in documented borrower funds. Important: the $49K franchise fee is due at signing and is not separately financeable via SBA — it counts as part of the required equity contribution. Ensure personal savings cover both the franchise fee and the SBA equity injection requirement simultaneously before signing. Equity can come from personal savings or ROBS. Source: SBA SOP 50 10 7, Subpart B, Chapter 4.