2026 FDD Issued Apr 24, 2026 Minnesota Commerce (CARDS) Checked Oct 23, 2026
Sylvan Learning Franchise Cost (2026)
A Sylvan Learning franchise costs an estimated $117,600 – $288,400 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). That total includes the $46,900 initial franchise fee (Item 5) and covers this format: Standard center location (approx. 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft). Item 6 lists royalty fee: 11% – 12% of Gross Sales excluding Sylvan Edge and ACE IT!, subject to the conditions below.
- Total investment
- $118K – $288KItem 7 source and qualifications
- Franchise fee
- $46.9KItem 5 source and terms
- Royalty
- 11% – 12% of Gross Sales excluding Sylvan Edge and ACE IT!Item 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Brand fund
- 5% of Gross Sales excluding Sylvan Edge and ACE IT!Item 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Liquid capital
- $75KFranchisor website, checked October 30, 2026 · See conditions
- Net worth
- $150KFranchisor website, checked October 30, 2026 · See conditions
- Units (2025)
- 433Item 20 source and scope
- Franchise exit rate
- 6.3% / yrCalculated 3-year average; definition and source
What stands out about Sylvan Learning
The sales figures shown here describe the offered-territory subset in Item 19, rather than every reporting Sylvan center. The FDD separately reports a larger group of centers operating throughout the year. Its territory-size note matters because some existing franchisees have larger protected areas under older agreements.
Item 19 splits sales into quartiles instead of printing an overall average or median. Selecting the top quartile as an ordinary center would overstate what that table represents. Revenue from a primary center may also include satellite operations, while additional retail centers are represented separately. These distinctions limit direct comparisons between operators.
What are the initial franchise fees and financial requirements for Sylvan Learning?
Item 5 lists an initial franchise fee of $46,900 for Sylvan Learning. Check the cited Item 5 for payment timing, discounts and format-specific terms.
Sylvan describes these minimums as financial criteria a candidate typically meets. These minimums come from the franchisor’s website, not from the FDD, and can change: Sylvan Learning franchise page (checked October 30, 2026).
Item 5 (PDF pages 16-17) sets a $46,900 initial franchise fee, including licenses for all current programs, paid in full and non-refundable when the Franchise Agreement is signed. A Development Agreement costs $46,900 for one territory, $89,110 for two or $126,630 for three, paid in a lump sum and including the initial fees. Franchisees must also spend $10,000-$15,000 on a grand opening. The fee may be reduced 5% for existing Sylvan or affiliated-brand franchisees, qualified veterans, first responders, social workers or qualified educators.
Source: Sylvan Learning 2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 16.
How much does it cost to open a Sylvan Learning franchise? (Item 7)
Source: Sylvan Learning 2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 25.
Item 7 of Sylvan Learning’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the total cost to open one standard center location (approx. 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft) at $117,600 – $288,400. This total includes the initial franchise fee.
| Expense Category | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $46,900 | $46,900 |
| Training-related expenses | $1,400 | $2,400 |
| First month’s rent and security deposit | $1,500 | $5,500 |
| Real Estate Improvements and Site Preparation | $15,000 | $118,010 |
| Development Project Management Fee | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Initial Inventory and Instructional Materials | $2,750 | $4,500 |
| Specialized Furnishings | $6,000 | $15,000 |
| Other Furniture and Miscellaneous Supplies | $3,400 | $4,500 |
| Signage (interior and exterior) | $2,000 | $10,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Insurance Deposit and Premium | $2,000 | $2,700 |
| Computers and other Hardware, Telephone, Internet Access & Software | $7,500 | $13,930 |
| Miscellaneous Supplies | $15 | $150 |
| Accounting Software | $135 | $600 |
| Optional: Sylvan Edge and/or ACE IT! programs | $0 | $3,210 |
| Legal, Accounting and other Professional Fees | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| Additional Funds – Three Months | $9,500 | $35,000 |
| Total | $117,600 | $288,400 |
For comparison, the median high-end investment among 7 education & tutoring records without a source-review hold is $288,400.
Item 7 (PDF pages 25-27) prints $117,600-$288,400 for a standard center of about 1,000-2,000 square feet. Real estate improvements and site preparation are the widest line at $15,000-$118,010; additional funds for three months are $9,500-$35,000.
What ongoing royalties and fees does Sylvan Learning charge? (Item 6)
Source: Sylvan Learning 2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 17.
Item 6 of Sylvan Learning’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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | 11% – 12% of Gross Sales excluding Sylvan Edge and ACE IT! | Every period | 11% for other services; 12% for Sylvan Edge and ACE IT! Quarterly minimum $5,500, with those program royalties credited; minimum waived first six months after Primary Center grand opening. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| NAF Contribution | 5% of Gross Sales excluding Sylvan Edge and ACE IT! | Every period | Monthly; may change on 30 days’ notice. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Local Marketing Expenditure | Varies | Every period | Greater of 6% of monthly Gross Sales or $1,500, excluding Sylvan Edge and ACE IT!; Sylvan Edge uses 3% of its sales. Cooperative contributions credited. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Advertising Cooperative | Varies | When it applies | If established, majority vote determines contribution; credited toward local marketing. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Technology Fee (Hub Technology Platform) | $114 per month | Every period | Current per-center fee; contractual limit $750 before CPI/vendor adjustments. Systems and fee may change on notice. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Dashboard Access License Fee | Varies | When it applies | First license waived; $10 monthly per additional license; vendor pass-through may rise. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Call Center Fee | Varies | Every period | Required: Model A $700 monthly plus $10 per inquiry, or Model B $350 monthly plus $30 per inquiry, depending on volume. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Initial Training Fee | Varies | When it applies | First two individuals free; current $500 per day per additional person. $1,000 may apply for untimely out-of-schedule initial training; continues page 19. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Additional Training | Varies | When it applies | Current $500 per day plus actual costs for required or elected additional training. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Additional On-Site Assistance | Varies | When it applies | Current $500 daily plus actual travel/accommodation costs when requested. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Split Territory Fee | Varies | When it applies | 25% of then-current Initial Franchise Fee to split a protected area and develop another location. (Item 6, PDF p. 20) |
| Conference Fee | Varies | When it applies | Current $950 early/$1,100 regular/$1,350 late per attendee, contractual maximum $1,500 before CPI adjustment. Required nonattendance materials fee $1,500 or agreement maximum; travel, hotel and wages extra. (Item 6, PDF p. 20) |
| Compliance Review Fee | Varies | When it applies | Actual cost, currently $1,500-$3,500 per audit by scope; may be higher as described. (Item 6, PDF p. 20) |
| Gift Card and Loyalty Program Fees | Varies | Every period | Current participation charge $0; future administration may apply. Redemption reimbursement can deduct up to 7% vendor/affiliate administration. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Renewal Fee | Varies | When it applies | $6,000 plus legal/professional expenses and other renewal costs. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Refresh Grand Opening | Varies | When it applies | Minimum $10,000 campaign for refurbishment/remodel or renewal/transfer. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Holdover Fee | $250 | When it applies | Per day operating after expiry without signed renewal. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Transfer Fee | Varies | When it applies | $6,000 per center plus $2,500 transfer training and described costs. Training fee waived for qualifying existing franchisee; per-center multiplication continues page 22. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Resale Program Fee | Varies | When it applies | Optional program: greater of 5% purchase price or then-current Initial Franchise Fee (currently $46,900), additional to transfer fee. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Interest | Varies | When it applies | Lesser of 18% annually or lawful maximum. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Audit Costs | Varies | When it applies | Actual cost, currently $4,800-$5,500, if missing reports/records or greater-than-2% understatement; may be higher by scope. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Indemnification | Varies | When it applies | Covered third-party losses and expenses. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Liquidated Damages under Franchise Agreement | Varies | When it applies | Royalty rate times preceding twelve-month Gross Sales times lesser of three years or years remaining in initial term, on qualifying default termination. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Public Offering or Private Placement of Securities | Varies | When it applies | Actual legal/professional review costs if securities offered. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Development Agreement Transfer Fee - Controlling Interest | Varies | When it applies | $25,000 plus $1,500 per undeveloped center. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Development Agreement Administrative Fee | Varies | When it applies | $3,500 for qualifying convenience/noncontrolling transfers of no more than 20%, limited once per rolling twelve months; otherwise controlling transfer fee. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Development Agreement Liquidated Damages | Varies | When it applies | Lesser of $100,000 or Minimum Royalty Fee times 36 times undeveloped units on qualifying default termination. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
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.
Sylvan Learning startup investment and modeled fees over 10 years
Item 6 royalty depends on program sales and a quarterly minimum; advertising excludes specified programs and local marketing has a monthly minimum. Item 19 provides quartiles without an overall average or median, so the top-quartile sample is not used as a general sales input. See the fee amounts and definitions in Item 6 above. Open the calculator with your own assumptions.
Item 20: Sylvan Learning franchised outlet history
Source: Sylvan Learning 2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 80.
Item 20 Table 3 reports 433 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. The company-owned table reports a further 0 outlets. Our calculated average annual franchised exit rate is 6.3% across the 3 reported years, using the definition below.
| Year | Franchised at Start | Opened | Reported Exits | At End | Franchise Exit Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 469 | 18 | 14 | 473 | 3% |
| 2024 | 473 | 24 | 21 | 476 | 4.4% |
| 2025 | 476 | 12 | 55 | 433 | 11.6% |
Franchised units went from 469 to 433 over 3 years (-36).
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 Sylvan Learning’s exit rate with other brands.
26 units changed owners in 2025.
Item 20 Table 3 (PDF pages 75-80) prints national totals on PDF page 80. Table 4 (PDF page 81) shows the 5 company-owned centers were sold to franchisees in 2024; transfers come from Table 2 (PDF pages 72-75).
How much do Sylvan Learning franchise owners make? (Item 19)
Source: Sylvan Learning 2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 70.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports average gross sales for top quartile franchised centers in 2025 (offered-territory subset, Table 3) of $532,008 (2025, Top 46 franchised centers in 2025; subset of centers with territory size currently offered, not the full 409-center reporting sample). Sylvan Learning’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 (11% – 12% of Gross Sales excluding Sylvan Edge and ACE IT!) come out of sales before an owner is paid, so these figures cannot show what an owner earns.
See every Sylvan Learning 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 Sylvan Learning’s Item 19 figures and sample limits.
How long is the Sylvan Learning franchise agreement term?
Source: Sylvan Learning 2026 FDD, Item 17, PDF p. 58.
The standard Sylvan Learning franchise agreement runs 10 years, with renewal terms of 5 years.
Item 17 (PDF page 58): 10 years from the effective date. A franchisee in good standing may continue for two consecutive 5-year successor terms, paying a $6,000 renewal fee plus the franchisor's legal and professional expenses.
How long does it take to open a Sylvan Learning franchise? (Item 11)
Source: Sylvan Learning 2026 FDD, Item 11, PDF p. 37.
Item 11 of the 2026 FDD states the time from signing the franchise agreement to opening: 6 to 9 months, depending on whether the site is known at signing. The agreement requires you to open no later than 273 days after signing.
Compare Sylvan Learning with other franchises
Head-to-head FDD cost, fee, and earnings comparisons:
Franchises with a similar investment range
These published records are selected by proximity to Sylvan Learning’s $117,600 low-end Item 7 investment, starting with Education & Tutoring. Formats, fees and source qualifications differ; the figures are not interchangeable budgets:
Compare other education & tutoring franchises
Frequently Asked Questions about Sylvan Learning
- Can the ongoing fees for Sylvan Learning be modeled as one flat percentage?
- Item 6 royalty depends on program sales and a quarterly minimum; advertising excludes specified programs and local marketing has a monthly minimum. Item 19 provides quartiles without an overall average or median, so the top-quartile sample is not used as a general sales input.
Sources
Sylvan Learning, LLC Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 24, 2026, as filed with the Minnesota Commerce (CARDS). Read the source FDD PDF. How to get this FDD yourself.
- Item 5: cited PDF p. 16
- Item 6: cited PDF p. 17
- Item 7: cited PDF p. 25
- Item 19: cited PDF p. 68
- Item 20: cited PDF p. 80
- Agreement term (Item 17): cited PDF p. 58
Page references for Sylvan Learning 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 30, 2026: Record updated.
- October 30, 2026: Added liquid-capital and net-worth qualification amounts from Sylvan's official franchise candidate page. The page describes these as financial criteria a candidate typically meets; they are not FDD figures.
- October 23, 2026: Source check completed against the recorded FDD.
- October 23, 2026: Complete source recheck against the April 24, 2026 FDD: cover, Item 1, Item 5, the Item 6 schedule corrected on October 19 (PDF pages 17-24), every Item 7 row and total, Item 17, Item 19 Tables 1-3 and Item 20 Tables 1-4. Added Item 5, Item 7, term and Item 20 detail; corrected the Item 20 page. The source hold is cleared.
- October 19, 2026: Source review hold recorded: The October 19 audit found and corrected material Item 6 transcription errors against PDF pages 17-24. This targeted fee review does not clear the earlier whole-record verification: the other FDD sections and their narrative still require a complete source recheck. The simplified fee model is withheld for the contractual reasons stated above. The prior source-check date is historical.
- October 16, 2026: Initial cost profile published from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (issued April 24, 2026).