PHASE II PROGRAM Hours of Hours of Subject Classroom On-The-Job Location Training* Training Early Childhood Education .5 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning Requirements modules and/or virtual training sessions Financials 2 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions FMS 5 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions Getting Ready 1.5 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions Health & Safety 12 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions Marketing 4 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions Wonder of Learning - Kaymbu 4 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions The Faculty Journey 5 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions Risk Management 4 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions The Tour and Enrollment 13 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions Leadership 1 hour 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions The Family Journey 5 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions Meetings with GSL Leadership 2 hours 0 hours King of Prussia, PA and online learning modules and/or virtual training sessions Meetings with Goddard School 3 hours 0 hours Kingo of Prussia, PA and online learning franchisees modules and/or virtual training sessions Total Hours 62 hours Varies
From the filings
The Goddard School
EducationSoftware purchasing at The Goddard School is controlled at the franchisor level through designated systems and approved suppliers. The 2026 FDD names Kaymbu and mandates the proprietary Franchise Management System (FMS) across 665 franchised schools. Vendors should target the corporate team in King of Prussia, PA, where technology standards and procurement rules are set.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Ordinary royalty terms
7% component; full terms unconfirmed
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing.
Recorded percentage components
These are recorded percentage components. Each has its own base and conditions; the chart does not state the total payment or confirm ad-fund completeness.
1recorded components (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
Systems named in Item 11 of this filing. None is recorded as mandated here, which is not the same as the filing mandating nothing. Read Item 11 before treating the category as open.
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
21 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 4 explicit no's; 9 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
We will have independent access to the information and data collected by and produced by your computer system; there is no contractual limitation on our right to access this information and data.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
You shall submit to us, no later than the third business day of each month during the term of this Agreement, a signed statement in the form we prescribe that accurately reflects all Gross Receipts during the preceding month and any other data or information as we may require.
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesItem 8
We and our affiliates are approved suppliers to our franchisees.
Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?
YesItem 20
The following independent franchisee organization has asked to be included in this disclosure document: The Independent Association of The Goddard Schools Franchisees (IAGSF), A Chapter of the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers, PO Box 10158, Palm Desert, CA 92255-1058, telephone 619-209-3775, email iagsf…
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 11
We also may modify specifications to our computer systems, including all hardware, software and firmware and network infrastructure, including a router and firewall (IT Security), network equipment / wireless access point devices, and telephone systems, including telecommunications infrastructure products and support…
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
0Item 8
In 2025, neither we nor Goddard Manager nor its affiliates, recognized any revenue in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in connection with required sales or leases or services to School franchisees.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesFranchise agreement
We may receive fees and other payments from suppliers and others in connection with your purchases and we may use the fees for our own purposes.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
25Item 8
Approximately 95% of your total purchases in connection with the establishment of your School and approximately 25% of your overall purchases in operating the School must be purchased through Purchase Orders we issue, from approved suppliers or in accordance with our standards and specifications.
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesItem 11
Either we or you will own the telephone number depending on the telephone service you choose.
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must install, configure endpoint security and data loss threat prevention software we specify and authorize us to monitor endpoint security and data loss threat prevention software on your computer systems.
Franchise management
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesItem 11
We will use our commercially reasonable efforts to maintain high standards of quality, appearance, professionalism and service of the System and to that end will conduct periodic inspections of the School, as we deem advisable.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesItem 11
We will have the right to add to or otherwise modify the Manual as we deem necessary and you must comply with those changes at your expense, except any addition or modification will not materially alter your fundamental status and rights under the Franchise Agreement.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 12
You may operate the School (including any Annex or Satellite Location) only at the location we have approved.
Marketing
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 7
When you sign the Franchise Agreement, you must pay us an initial marketing fee of $50,000 for a building size range of from 8,600 square feet to 10,000 square feet
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesFranchise agreement
You shall develop the School, including any approved Annex, in the manner prescribed by us for Goddard Schools, including the implementation of the System, and shall use in the development and operation of the School only those approved suppliers we designate or those brands and types of equipment and supplies which…
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesFranchise agreement
You shall develop the School, including any approved Annex or Satellite Location, in the manner prescribed by us for Goddard Schools, including the implementation of the System, and shall use in the development and operation of the School only those approved suppliers we designate or those brands and types of…
Payments
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesFranchise agreement
You acknowledge and agree that this Section is intended to serve as your authorization for us to withdraw payment of any amounts due to us under this Agreement under any type of electronic funds transfer or wire transfer process.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 15
You must have one full-time director, and any additional full-time directors we may deem appropriate in our sole business judgment for the School.
Point of sale
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We will have independent access to the information and data collected by and produced by your computer system; there is no contractual limitation on our right to access this information and data.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
We may, in our sole business judgment, require that you attend and successfully complete additional training after your School opens or a transfer is complete.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesFranchise agreement
At our request, you shall attend and fully complete supplemental or refresher training programs, which may take place over two or more consecutive weeks, and any sales meetings, operations meetings, marketing meetings and conventions that may be offered by us from time to time during the term of the franchise.
The filing answers no to 4 questions
- Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?Franchise agreement
- Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?Item 11
- Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?Item 11
- Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?Item 11
The vendor opportunity at The Goddard School
The Goddard School operates 665 franchised early childhood education centers across the United States, with no company-owned locations. Franchised outlets grew 3.583% year over year, signaling steady expansion. Top states include Texas (78), New Jersey (74), Pennsylvania (61), Ohio (51), and Maryland (43). The brand is part of Sycamore Partners, with sibling brand Playa Bowls Franchisor.
For software vendors, the addressable market is 665 franchised schools, each required to maintain specific hardware and software standards. The franchisor controls technology procurement through the Franchise Agreement and the Manual, creating a centralized buying center at the corporate level.
Who controls software purchasing
Item 2 of the 2026 FDD names Darin Harris as President and Chief Executive Officer, Timothy J. Dwyer as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, and Cynthia Turner as Chief Legal Officer. Dr. Lauren Loquasto serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Academic Officer of Goddard Manager, and Jacqueline Burls as Senior Vice President, Chief School Support Services Officer. Technology standards are set by the franchisor and enforced through the Franchise Agreement, making the corporate team the primary decision-maker for software adoption.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required
Item 11 requires franchisees to purchase a computer system including hardware, software, firmware, network infrastructure, router and firewall, network equipment, wireless access points, telephone system, interactive flat panel, and digital signage. The filing mandates Windows 10, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) software, and specified endpoint security and data loss threat prevention software, all under maintenance agreements.
The FDD mandates the proprietary Franchise Management System (FMS) and the Wonder of Learning Digital Platform. FMS is hosted by the franchisor and currently provided without charge, though the franchisor reserves the right to implement a fee. The filing also names Kaymbu in Item 11.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
Item 8 establishes an approved-supplier list. Franchisees must purchase computer systems and IT security from approved suppliers as directed by the franchisor. FMS and proprietary curricular materials are available only from the franchisor. The franchisor does not currently designate a sole supplier for most products and services, except for FMS, playground equipment, FF&E, proprietary curricular materials, and development-related services.
Initial terms are 15 years. Item 17 provides renewal terms of 5 years, conditioned on substantial compliance, completion of required training, payment of a renewal license fee, satisfactory background checks, and signing the then-current Franchise Agreement. These renewal cycles may create windows for software evaluation and replacement.
How to read the The Goddard School FDD
The embedded PDF viewer below contains the brand's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Review Item 2 for officer names, Item 8 for supplier restrictions, Item 11 for technology requirements, Item 17 for renewal terms, and Item 19 for financial performance representations. Talk to FranCloud for a ranked target list of franchise systems that match your software category.
Ordinary royalty terms
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed.
Questions vendors ask
The Goddard School, answered from the filing
Read the filing itself
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Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
753 operators run 753 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Top states by locations
| TX | 78 |
|---|---|
| NJ | 74 |
| PA | 61 |
| OH | 51 |
| MD | 43 |
Ownership
The portfolio behind The Goddard School
Ownership: Sycamore Partners.
Sibling brands
Related Education brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Read the original filing for definitions, conditions, and qualifications.