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Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Goddard Systems Inc.

Preschool/child-care center

Background

Founded: 1986 Franchising since: 1988
The Goddard School offers year-round programs for children from six weeks to six years old including after-school enrichment and summer programs.

Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) is the franchisor of The Goddard School. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, GSI currently operates schools throughout the United States. Each school is a licensed childcare facility with an on-site owner, an Education Director and a staff trained in Early Childhood Education or Childhood Development. GSI provides continuing education for all teachers as well as a corporate Quality Assurance program.

1016 W. Ninth Ave.
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406
Phone:
(800)272-4901


Franchisor is a privately-held company with 80 employee(s); 6 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth
Year U.S. Franchises Canadian Franchises Foreign Franchises Company Owned
2009 339 0 0 0
2008 297 0 0 0
2007 255 0 0 0
2006 221 0 0 0
2005 190 0 0 0

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming

Costs and Fees

Total investment: $632.3K-679.6K
Franchise fee: $135K
Ongoing royalty fee: 7%
Term of agreement: 15 years, renewable


Type of Financing Available
In-House Third Party
Franchise Fee No Yes
Startup Costs No Yes
Equipment No Yes
Inventory No Yes
Accounts Receivable No Yes
Payroll No Yes

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $450K
Cash liquidity requirement: $125K
Business Experience:
  • General business experience

Operations
  • 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit
  • Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25
  • Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training and Support

Training
  • Available at headquarters: 3 weeks
  • At franchisee's location: Ongoing
  • IACET training for teachers & directors

Ongoing Support
  • Newsletter
  • Meetings
  • Toll-free phone line
  • Grand opening
  • Internet
  • Security/safety procedures
  • Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support
  • Co-op advertising
  • Ad slicks
  • National media
  • Regional advertising

Other marketing support
  • Full-service in-house ad agency

Rankings

Franchise 500® rank:
#105 (2009); #132 (2008); #118 (2007); #143 (2006); #177 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2008; 2007; 2006; 2005;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#73 (2009);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#84 (2009); #113 (2008); #100 (2007); #111 (2006); #124 (2005);