The Little Gym vs Mathnasium: 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
TL

The Little Gym

Education & Children
$180K – $390K
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VS
M

Mathnasium

Education & Children
$115K – $149K
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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
Mathnasium wins on investment range ($241K less) vs The Little Gym.
Fee Burden
The Little Gym wins on royalty rate (2.0% lower) vs Mathnasium.
Unit Count
Mathnasium wins on total units (800 more) vs The Little Gym.
Satisfaction
Both have the same franchisee satisfaction.

Investment & Fees

Metric The Little Gym Mathnasium
Min Investment $180K $115K
Max Investment $390K $149K
Franchise Fee $49K $49K
Royalty Rate 8.0% 10.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A 2.0%

Unit Economics

Metric The Little Gym Mathnasium
Avg Unit Revenue $300K $400K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric The Little Gym Mathnasium
Total Units 300 1,100
Annual Growth 10.0% 4.0%
Failure Rate N/A 4.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric The Little Gym Mathnasium
Franchisee Satisfaction 75/100 75/100

Track Record

Metric The Little Gym Mathnasium
Years in Business N/A 22
Years Franchising N/A 19

Financial Requirements

Metric The Little Gym Mathnasium
Min Net Worth Required N/A $200K
Liquid Capital Required N/A $100K

Operations

Metric The Little Gym Mathnasium
Avg Employees N/A 6
Training Weeks N/A 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Little Gym or Mathnasium a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. The Little Gym has 300 total units and a 75/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Mathnasium has 1,100 total units and a 75/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a The Little Gym franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a The Little Gym franchise requires an initial investment of $180K – $390K. The franchise fee is $49K, with ongoing royalties of 8.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Mathnasium franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Mathnasium franchise requires an initial investment of $115K – $149K. The franchise fee is $49K, with ongoing royalties of 10.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for The Little Gym vs Mathnasium?

The Little Gym's royalty rate is 8.0%. Mathnasium's royalty rate is 10.0%. That means Mathnasium has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — The Little Gym or Mathnasium?

The Little Gym has 300 total units. Mathnasium has 1,100 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is The Little Gym or Mathnasium semi-absentee friendly?

The Little Gym is typically run as a owner-operator model. Mathnasium 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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