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SYLVAN LEARNING, SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER, SYLVAN
Sylvan Learning franchises enable operators to run short-term or permanent learning centers and electronic learning environments that provide specialized assessments and individualized educational programs for children, focusing on reading, mathematics, writing, and test preparation under SYLVAN trademarks like SylvanSync and Sylvan Edge. The business model involves franchise fees, royalties, and adherence to proprietary systems, standards, and curricula, with options for single centers or multi-unit development agreements. The target market is parents of school-aged children seeking supplemental tutoring and skill-building services.
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Franchise Costs
11% royalty + 5% NAF + $114/mo technology fee (up to $750) + $350-$700/mo call center fee
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 438 franchised territories operated continuously during the 12 calendar months of 2024
* Calculated weighted average gross revenue from Table 1, '2024 Franchisee Gross Sales by Quartile': (110 units × $810,698 + 110 units × $366,443 + 109 units × $240,305 + 109 units × $123,299) / 438 total units = $386,114.95. No single overall median gross revenue, net income, net profit, EBITDA, or expense data was explicitly provided to estimate profit ranges.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $386,115
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Unlock financial performance dataSYLVAN LEARNING, SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER, SYLVAN Franchise Analysis
In the competitive children's education space, Sylvan Learning stands out with a business model rooted in personalized tutoring that's been refined over decades, yet its expansion pace raises eyebrows. Item 19 delivers revenue insights that could reshape your expectations for supplemental learning centers, while a deep dive into SBA lending history uncovers resilience amid economic shifts. What happens when hefty ongoing fees meet steady but unspectacular unit growth—does the math still add up for operators? Unlock to find out.
Item 7 lays out the financial entry: franchise fee of $36,900, total initial investment ranging $107,922-$239,012 covering build-out, equipment, and initial marketing for a learning center. Ongoing fees bite hard at 11% royalty on gross sales plus 5% brand/ad fund, layered with a $114 monthly technology fee (capped at $750) and $350-$700 call center charge—potentially 16%+ of revenue before extras. Yet Item 19 counters with average gross revenue of $386,115 across comparable outlets, suggesting top performers could clear six figures in profit after fees, assuming 30-40% margins typical for tutoring ops.
System health shows stability over growth: 469 franchised units plus 5 corporate, up just 1% from 473 in 2023 to 478 in 2024 per recent FDD. SBA data bolsters confidence—116 loans averaging $346,433 with an impressively low 5.2% default rate, far below industry norms, indicating franchisees secure financing and sustain operations. Low contraction signals reliability, but minimal expansion hints at market saturation in kids' enrichment; for patient investors eyeing $300K+ top-line potential in under $250K startup, Sylvan offers proven footing without explosive scaling risks.
Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How SYLVAN LEARNING, SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER, SYLVAN Compares
Key Insights
- #3 largest franchise system in Children's Education & Enrichment
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Children's Education & Enrichment
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SYLVAN LEARNING, SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER, SYLVAN Current | $108K – $239K | $37K | 11.0% | 469 |
| Mathnasium | $113K – $150K | $49K | 10.0% | 995 |
| MATHNASIUM LEARNING CENTERS; MATHNASIUM CENTERS, | $113K – $150K | $49K | 10.0% | 968 |
| CLUB Z! | $41K – $57K | $27K | 6.0% | 319 |
| SOCCER SHOTS | $43K – $54K | $37K | 7.0% | 313 |
| HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER | $192K – $341K | $42K | 9.5% | 243 |
Children's Education & Enrichment Average 38 franchises | $211K – $398K | $41K | 7.7% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 38 Children's Education & Enrichment franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+34 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for SYLVAN LEARNING, SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER, SYLVAN franchisees (2010 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
116 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
478 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
478 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a SYLVAN LEARNING, SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER, SYLVAN franchise ranges from $107,922 to $239,012. This includes a franchise fee of $36,900. Ongoing royalty fees are 11.0% of gross sales.
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