Education-based child care franchise offering early childhood education programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children, focusing on a balanced curriculum and nurturing environment.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
505
+
9%
9%
Franchise fee
?
$80,000
Investment
?
$743,000 - $8,595,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$2,622,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Established in 1982 in Marietta, Georgia, Primrose Schools has become a premier provider of early childhood education and care. The company began franchising in 1988 and has expanded to over 500 schools across more than 35 states. Primrose Schools cater to children from six weeks to six years old, offering programs that emphasize a balanced approach to learning.
Primrose Schools differentiates itself through its proprietary Balanced Learning® curriculum, which combines teacher-guided and child-initiated activities to foster learning through play and exploration.
This approach integrates character development, social-emotional learning, and academic readiness, providing a holistic educational experience. Additionally, Primrose Schools maintains high standards of quality and safety, with each school accredited by Cognia, ensuring adherence to rigorous early childhood education standards.
By focusing on comprehensive child development and maintaining a commitment to excellence, Primrose Schools has established itself as a leader in the early education sector, continually raising the bar for quality and innovation.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Primrose Schools franchise is
$743,000 - $8,595,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Primrose Schools offers 5 types of franchises:
Program
Initial Investment Range
Real Estate Development Program
$5,788,200 to $8,595,000
Build-to-Suit Program
$742,900 to $1,525,000
Permanent Lease Program
$2,256,300 to $4,899,200
Independent Development Program
$5,758,200 to $8,550,000
Site First Program
$826,900 to $1,405,000
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Primrose Schools franchised facility under Independent Development Program. For more information on costs required to start a Primrose Schools franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Low Amount
High Amount
Initial Fee
$50,000
$80,000
Real Estate Fee
$25,000
$25,000
Other Real Estate and Development Costs
$4,827,300
$7,040,000
Utility Security Deposits
$10,000
$30,000
School Equipment and Supplies
$313,000
$383,000
Insurance
$5,000
$20,000
Initial Training Fee
$35,000
$35,000
Marketing, Advertising and Grand Opening
$40,000
$105,000
Transportation Vehicle
$900
$50,000
Licenses
$4,000
$7,000
Miscellaneous
$10,000
$45,000
Financing Cost
$258,000
$310,000
Additional Funds – 3 months
$180,000
$420,000
Total
$5,758,200
$8,550,000
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Primrose Schools offers 5 types of franchises:
Program
Initial Investment Range
Real Estate Development Program
$5,788,200 to $8,595,000
Build-to-Suit Program
$742,900 to $1,525,000
Permanent Lease Program
$2,256,300 to $4,899,200
Independent Development Program
$5,758,200 to $8,550,000
Site First Program
$826,900 to $1,405,000
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Primrose Schools franchised facility under Independent Development Program. For more information on costs required to start a Primrose Schools franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Low Amount
High Amount
Initial Fee
$50,000
$80,000
Real Estate Fee
$25,000
$25,000
Other Real Estate and Development Costs
$4,827,300
$7,040,000
Utility Security Deposits
$10,000
$30,000
School Equipment and Supplies
$313,000
$383,000
Insurance
$5,000
$20,000
Initial Training Fee
$35,000
$35,000
Marketing, Advertising and Grand Opening
$40,000
$105,000
Transportation Vehicle
$900
$50,000
Licenses
$4,000
$7,000
Miscellaneous
$10,000
$45,000
Financing Cost
$258,000
$310,000
Additional Funds – 3 months
$180,000
$420,000
Total
$5,758,200
$8,550,000
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Primrose Schools's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Primrose Schools had 505 total units in 2024, of which 505 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the royalty fee?
The royalty fee for a Primrose Schools franchise is 7.00%. In addition, you would have to pay the advertising (or national brand fund) fee of 2%+ up to 3%.
What is the total investment?
The initial investment required for a Primrose Schools franchise is $743,000 - $8,595,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
What is the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for a Primrose Schools franchise is $80,000. This is typically paid upfront as part of the total initial investment, after signature of the Franchise Agreeement.
Primrose Schools franchises provide comprehensive training programs to ensure franchisees and their teams uphold the brand’s high standards of quality and operational excellence. This includes:
Initial Training:
Conducted multiple times annually, it involves remote orientation, self-guided studies of the early childhood education industry, in-person sessions at designated locations, and on-site training at approved facilities. Online components, such as webinars and assignments, are also included. Franchisees must complete pre-opening training at least 16 weeks prior to opening or purchasing a facility and post-opening training within 6 to 12 months of operation.
Director and Multi-School Manager Training:
Directors are required to attend training within six to 12 months of employment. Multi-School Managers must complete Initial Training within 30 days of assuming their roles.
Additional Programs:
These include annual conferences, refresher training, seminars, and workshops, which may be conducted in person or online, to enhance skills and ensure continued compliance.
Employee Training:
Franchisees are responsible for training their employees to meet state laws, licensing requirements, and Franchisor standards. The Franchisor may directly provide employee training if necessary.
School Excellence Training:
This program must be completed within six to 12 months after a facility’s opening or transfer, focusing on maintaining operational excellence.
Territory Protection
Primrose Schools franchises offer limited territory protection through a "Development Area," assigned at the start of the agreement, based on demographics and population. The franchisor may adjust this area over time if changes support additional facilities.
Franchisees can request a "Designated Area" for enhanced protection between the second anniversary of opening and six months after. The franchisor determines its boundaries at their discretion, excluding certain existing or potential locations. If no timely request is made, the franchisor is not obligated to establish this designation.