2026 FDD Issued Apr 3, 2026 Minnesota Commerce (CARDS) Checked Oct 22, 2026
Code Ninjas Franchise Cost (2026)
A Code Ninjas franchise costs an estimated $174,250 – $265,750 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). That total includes the $45,000 initial franchise fee (Item 5) and covers this format: Learning Center. Item 6 lists learning center royalty fee: 8.25% of Net Sales, subject to the conditions below.
- Total investment
- $174K – $266KItem 7 source and qualifications
- Franchise fee
- $45KItem 5 source and terms
- Royalty
- 8.25% of Net SalesItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Brand fund
- 2% of Net SalesItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Units (2025)
- 245Item 20 source and scope
- Franchise exit rate
- 11.5% / yrCalculated 3-year average; definition and source
What stands out about Code Ninjas
Construction and equipment make up much of the spread in Item 7’s Learning Center estimate of $174,250 – $265,750. The table’s largest variable line is construction, while computers, furniture, and signs also require upfront spending. A Studio Center has a separate lower estimate and a different royalty rate, so the two formats should be evaluated with their own figures.
Item 6 charges 8.25% of Net Sales on Learning Center Net Sales, while a Studio Center pays a higher rate. The 2% of Net Sales marketing contribution is separate from the mandatory local advertising service fee and third-party ad placement costs. Fixed technology charges can also change. The published Item 19 sample mixes the two formats, so one combined sales average cannot support an exact fee illustration.
Item 19 reports an All Overall average of $235,927 across Learning Centers and Studio Centers open at the start of the reported year. It separately reports Learning Center sales and a top quartile. Those narrower groups describe different samples, and the table excludes locations opened or closed during the year. Gross sales do not establish owner profit.
Item 20 records 238 franchised centers at the end of 2025. It lists 14 openings and 15 exits that year. Across the three reported years, the franchise count changed by -46. The FDD lists company-owned outlets separately, so the total network count is 245.
What are the initial franchise fees and financial requirements for Code Ninjas?
Item 5 lists an initial franchise fee of $45,000 for Code Ninjas. Check the cited Item 5 for payment timing, discounts and format-specific terms.
Item 5 (PDF pages 13–14) states a $45,000 initial franchise fee for a Learning Center and $35,000 for a Studio Center. Qualified U.S. veterans and active-duty personnel may receive a 10% Learning Center fee discount, subject to the stated ownership and transfer conditions. New franchisee training is currently $750 per attendee. A development agreement requires $45,000 for the first Learning Center plus $25,000 for each additional center, with credits against initial franchise fees if its conditions are met. A delayed Learning Center opening can trigger a $500 monthly pre-opening minimum royalty.
Source: Code Ninjas 2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 13.
This record lists no minimum net worth or liquid-capital requirement for Code Ninjas, because no sourced figure has been recorded. Ask the franchisor for its current financial qualifications in writing.
How much does it cost to open a Code Ninjas franchise? (Item 7)
Source: Code Ninjas 2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 22.
Item 7 of Code Ninjas’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the total cost to open one learning center at $174,250 – $265,750. This total includes the initial franchise fee.
| Expense Category | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| New Franchisee Training Fee | $750 | $750 |
| Lease | $7,000 | $10,000 |
| Utility Deposit | $250 | $500 |
| Architect Fees | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Construction Costs | $50,000 | $90,000 |
| Expenses for Initial Training | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Business Licenses and Permits | $250 | $1,000 |
| Business Insurance | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Initial Inventory | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Computer Hardware & Software | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Signage | $6,000 | $12,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing Program | $8,000 | $10,000 |
| Professional Fees | $500 | $2,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Total | $174,250 | $265,750 |
Other formats
| Format | Total investment |
|---|---|
| Code Ninjas Studio Center | $73,500 – $109,250 |
| Development agreement for three Learning Centers (first center plus development fee only) | $224,250 – $315,750 |
For comparison, the median high-end investment among 7 education & tutoring records without a source-review hold is $288,400.
Item 7 Table A (PDF pages 22–23) lists the single Learning Center expenses in the order shown; the rows add to the printed $174,250–$265,750 total. Table B (PDF pages 23–25) gives the separate Studio Center estimate. Table C (PDF page 25) adds a $50,000 development fee to the first Learning Center investment for a three-center development agreement; it is not the total cost of opening all three centers. The cover gives the same printed ranges. Additional funds cover the first three months after opening.
What ongoing royalties and fees does Code Ninjas charge? (Item 6)
Source: Code Ninjas 2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 14.
Item 6 of Code Ninjas’s 2026 FDD lists the charges below. Recurring charges and charges triggered by a transfer, renewal or other event have different conditions. Read each fee’s basis and notes before comparing rates.
How to read an Item 6 fee table.
| Fee Type | Amount / Rate | Payment Frequency | Notes & Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Center Royalty Fee | 8.25% of Net Sales | Every period | 8.25% of Net Sales for a Learning Center, usually collected through the payment processor at each transaction. (Item 6, PDF p. 14) |
| Studio Center Royalty Fee | 12.25% of Net Sales | When it applies | 12.25% of Net Sales for the alternative Studio Center format. (Item 6, PDF p. 14) |
| Marketing Contribution | 2% of Net Sales | Every period | 2% of Net Sales to the Brand Marketing Development Fund; local marketing spending is separate. (Item 6, PDF p. 14) |
| Marketing and Advertising Expenses | $350 per month | Every period | Currently $350 per month for mandatory in-house local digital advertising services. Third-party ad placement costs are additional; the service fee may rise by no more than 10% per calendar year. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Technology Fee | $350 per month | Every period | Currently $350 per month; may rise by 10% annually. Additional third-party technology vendor fees are payable separately. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Supplier/Vendor or Supplies Approval | Varies | When it applies | Inspection or sample testing costs plus reasonable related expenses if the owner proposes an unapproved supplier or vendor. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Product and Equipment Purchases | Varies | When it applies | Amounts vary for products and equipment bought from or through the franchisor. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Additional and Repeat Initial Training | Varies | When it applies | Currently $750 per additional or replacement trainee; may increase by no more than 10% per year. (Item 6, PDF p. 16) |
| Ongoing/Remedial Training | Varies | When it applies | Currently $500–$1,000 per day per trainer, plus reasonable related expenses, when required; the rate may rise by no more than 10% per year. (Item 6, PDF p. 16) |
| Convention Fee | Varies | When it applies | If a convention is held, the current fee is $750 per attendee, plus travel and other costs. The controlling owner and designated principal, if different, must attend; the fee may rise by no more than 10% annually. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Inspection or Audit | Varies | When it applies | Inspection or audit expenses in the stated reporting, records, or underpayment cases, including a 2% or greater sales understatement. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Interest | Varies | When it applies | 1.5% per month on overdue or insufficient payments, subject to applicable legal limits. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Renewal Fee | $3,500 | When it applies | $3,500 on signing a renewal agreement. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Controlling Ownership Interest Transfer Fee | $5,000 | When it applies | $5,000 on a proposed controlling-interest transfer. A transfer on death or disability has no transfer fee, but review and documentation costs are reimbursable. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Management Fee | $275 | When it applies | $275 per day if the franchisor temporarily operates a Learning Center after the designated principal dies or becomes incapacitated. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Non-Controlling Ownership Interest Transfer Fee | $2,500 | When it applies | $2,500 for a non-controlling-interest transfer or transfer to a wholly owned entity. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Relocation Fee | Varies | When it applies | $5,000 plus reasonable expenses for a proposed franchise relocation. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Cost of Enforcement or Defense and Damages | Varies | When it applies | Costs and damages in the specified agreement-enforcement or defense circumstances; see Item 6 Note 6. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Insurance | Varies | When it applies | Actual premiums plus franchisor expenses if required insurance is not purchased and the franchisor buys it. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Indemnification | Varies | When it applies | Expenses, including attorney fees, if the agreement’s indemnification clause applies. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Administrative Fee | Varies | When it applies | $100 per occurrence for an insufficient ACH balance; an additional 10% of franchisor expenses applies if it cures an owner default. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Reimbursements | Varies | When it applies | Actual amounts the franchisor paid or became obligated to pay on the owner’s behalf. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Non-Compliance Fee | $500 per week | When it applies | $500 per week for each week an agreement default remains uncured. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Liquidated Damages | Varies | When it applies | After termination for owner default, the average monthly royalty and marketing contributions over the preceding 24 months (or shorter operating period) multiplied by the lesser of 24 or the months remaining in the term. (Item 6, PDF p. 20) |
Explore annual fees and payback assumptions
This fee schedule cannot be reduced to the calculator’s simple sales-based formula. Enter your own assumptions and check them against the Item 6 terms.
Code Ninjas startup investment and modeled fees over 10 years
Item 6 gives different royalty rates for Learning Centers and Studio Centers. The broad Item 19 sales sample includes both formats. The FDD also requires separate local advertising spending and permits changes to fixed technology and agency fees. One sales figure cannot produce a reliable combined fee estimate. See the fee amounts and definitions in Item 6 above. Open the calculator with your own assumptions.
Item 20: Code Ninjas franchised outlet history
Source: Code Ninjas 2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 64.
Item 20 Table 3 reports 238 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. The company-owned table reports a further 7 outlets. Our calculated average annual franchised exit rate is 11.5% across the 3 reported years, using the definition below.
| Year | Franchised at Start | Opened | Reported Exits | At End | Franchise Exit Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 284 | 14 | 36 | 262 | 12.7% |
| 2024 | 262 | 18 | 41 | 239 | 15.6% |
| 2025 | 239 | 14 | 15 | 238 | 6.3% |
Franchised units went from 284 to 238 over 3 years (-46).
Reported exits include terminations, non-renewals, franchisor reacquisitions and other cessations. A reacquired outlet may continue operating. How we calculate the exit rate. How to read the Item 20 outlet tables. Compare Code Ninjas’s exit rate with other brands.
16 units changed owners in 2025.
Item 20 Table 3 totals (PDF page 64) give three years of franchised outlet movements, with transfers from Table 2 (page 61) and company-owned totals from Table 4 (page 65). Each printed Table 3 total reconciles.
How much do Code Ninjas franchise owners make? (Item 19)
Source: Code Ninjas 2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 56.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports all Overall average annual Gross Sales of $235,927 (2025, 224 franchised Learning Centers and Studio Centers open at the start of 2025 and included in Table 1). Code Ninjas’s Item 19 reports sales but no profit, costs or owner pay. Rent, payroll, supplies, loan payments and Item 6 fees such as the royalty (8.25% of Net Sales) come out of sales before an owner is paid, so these figures cannot show what an owner earns.
See every Code Ninjas Item 19 figure, with its period and sample.
Payback calculator (enter your own assumptions) Check any inputs against this record’s Item 7 startup costs and Item 6 fee rules.
How to interpret Code Ninjas’s Item 19 figures and sample limits.
How long is the Code Ninjas franchise agreement term?
Source: Code Ninjas 2026 FDD, Item 17, PDF p. 49.
The standard Code Ninjas franchise agreement runs 10 years, with renewal terms of 10 years.
Item 17 (PDF pages 48–49) states a 10-year initial term and three additional 10-year terms if the renewal conditions are met, including notice, refurbishment, payments, a new agreement, and the renewal fee.
How long does it take to open a Code Ninjas franchise? (Item 11)
Source: Code Ninjas 2026 FDD, Item 11, PDF p. 35.
Item 11 of the 2026 FDD states the time from signing the franchise agreement to opening: 120 to 240 days for a Learning Center, or 60 to 120 days for a Studio Center. The agreement requires you to open within 8 months of signing.
Franchises with a similar investment range
These published records are selected by proximity to Code Ninjas’s $174,250 low-end Item 7 investment, starting with Education & Tutoring. Formats, fees and source qualifications differ; the figures are not interchangeable budgets:
- Huntington Learning Center $192K – $341K Education & Tutoring
- Menchie's Frozen Yogurt $180K – $515K Source review pending Provisional publication Restaurants & Food
- U-Save Car & Truck Rental $168K – $1.55M Source review pending Provisional publication Automotive
- 1-800-GOT-JUNK? $182K – $304K Source review pending Provisional publication Home Services
- Supercuts $186K – $323K Beauty & Personal Care
- Mr. Handyman $162K – $215K Home Services
Compare other education & tutoring franchises
Frequently Asked Questions about Code Ninjas
- How much does it cost to open a Code Ninjas franchise?
- Item 7 of the 2026 FDD estimates the total initial investment ranges from $174,250 – $265,750 for a standard Learning Center. This capital requirement covers the $45,000 initial franchise fee, interior buildout, computers, curriculum packages, and three months of operating funds.
- What are the ongoing royalties and fees for Code Ninjas?
- Item 6 lists an 8.25% of Net Sales royalty for a Learning Center and a 2% of Net Sales brand fund contribution. The alternative Studio Center has a different royalty rate. Required local digital advertising and technology also carry separate monthly charges, so these fees are not one all-in percentage.
- What is the average revenue for a Code Ninjas franchise?
- Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports $235,927 in average annual Gross Sales for the All Overall group of franchised Learning Centers and Studio Centers open at the start of the reported year. The sample has 224 locations, and the FDD excludes locations opened or closed during that year. Gross sales are not owner profit.
- How many locations does Code Ninjas operate?
- According to Item 20, the franchise system consists of 238 franchised centers alongside company-owned facilities. In 2025, the brand recorded 14 openings and an annual franchise exit rate of 6.3%. Item 20 also records franchisor reacquisitions, which do not necessarily mean a center closed.
Sources
Code Ninjas, LLC Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 3, 2026, as filed with the Minnesota Commerce (CARDS). Read the source FDD PDF. How to get this FDD yourself.
- Item 5: cited PDF p. 13
- Item 6: cited PDF p. 14
- Item 7: cited PDF p. 22
- Item 19: cited PDF p. 55
- Item 20: cited PDF p. 64
- Agreement term (Item 17): cited PDF p. 49
Page references for Code Ninjas use the PDF viewer's digital page count, not printed page headers. Some viewers download the document instead of opening the referenced page.
If the state document viewer does not open, use Minnesota Commerce's public filing instructions to look up the filing by franchisor name and document date.
Document & verification changelog
- October 29, 2026: Record updated.
- October 22, 2026: Source check completed against the recorded FDD.
- October 22, 2026: Initial cost profile published from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (issued April 3, 2026).