Kumon vs Tutor Doctor: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Education & Children Real Data Not Investment Advice
K

Kumon

Education & Children
$67K – $146K
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VS
TD

Tutor Doctor

Education & Children
$94K – $139K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Tutor Doctor wins on investment range ($7K less) vs Kumon.
Fee Burden
Kumon wins on royalty rate (8.0% lower) vs Tutor Doctor.
Unit Count
Kumon wins on total units (25,300 more) vs Tutor Doctor.
Satisfaction
Tutor Doctor wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Kumon.

Investment & Fees

Metric Kumon Tutor Doctor
Min Investment $67K $94K
Max Investment $146K $139K
Franchise Fee $2K $45K
Royalty Rate 0.0% 8.0%
Ad Fund Rate 0.0% N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Kumon Tutor Doctor
Avg Unit Revenue $350K $200K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Kumon Tutor Doctor
Total Units 26,000 700
Annual Growth -0.5% 20.0%
Failure Rate 4.0% N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Kumon Tutor Doctor
Franchisee Satisfaction 67/100 72/100

Track Record

Metric Kumon Tutor Doctor
Years in Business 66 N/A
Years Franchising 46 N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Kumon Tutor Doctor
Min Net Worth Required $150K N/A
Liquid Capital Required $70K N/A

Operations

Metric Kumon Tutor Doctor
Avg Employees 3 N/A
Training Weeks 2 N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kumon or Tutor Doctor a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Kumon has 26,000 total units and a 67/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Tutor Doctor has 700 total units and a 72/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Kumon franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Kumon franchise requires an initial investment of $67K – $146K. The franchise fee is $2K, with ongoing royalties of 0.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Tutor Doctor franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Tutor Doctor franchise requires an initial investment of $94K – $139K. The franchise fee is $45K, with ongoing royalties of 8.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Kumon vs Tutor Doctor?

Kumon's royalty rate is 0.0%. Tutor Doctor's royalty rate is 8.0%. That means Kumon has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Kumon or Tutor Doctor?

Kumon has 26,000 total units. Tutor Doctor has 700 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Kumon or Tutor Doctor semi-absentee friendly?

Kumon is typically run as a owner-operator model. Tutor Doctor is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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