WorldKids School franchise unit economics
WorldKids School franchisees run bilingual early-learning schools that teach young children in Spanish and a second language for monthly tuition and fees, in a small, medium or large format.
WorldKids School franchise at a glance
Item 19 of the FDD issued on March 31, 2026 prints revenue, payroll, occupancy, other items and EBITDA for eight company-owned schools that traded all of 2025; no franchised school was open at the end of 2025.
WorldKids School’s Item 19 covers eight affiliate-run schools that traded all of 2025, with an average revenue of $1,920,700* and a median of $1,249,890*, according to Item 19 of WorldKids School’s 2026 FDD, issued 31 March 2026. The 8 in that group are 80%* of WorldKids School’s 10 company-owned schools. A WorldKids School franchise costs $378,385 to $3,826,265 to open.
- WorldKids School’s eight schools reported combined EBITDA of $3,610,093*, 23.49% of revenue*, before any royalty or brand fund.
- WorldKids School charges a 6% royalty from the first month and a 2% brand fund from the 13th month, so the eight schools’ combined EBITDA would be 15.49% of revenue* after both.
- A WorldKids School franchise costs $378,385 to $620,885 to open in the small format, $827,500 to $1,823,500 in the medium format and $1,148,265 to $3,826,265 in the large format, according to Item 7.
- A WorldKids School franchise pays the franchisor $120,000 before opening: an $80,000 initial franchise fee, a $20,000 site development assistance fee and a $20,000 training assistance and opening support fee.
- WorldKids School had 10 company-owned schools and no franchised schools at the end of 2025, with 7 franchise agreements signed but not yet open.
- WorldKids School’s payroll was 47.03% of the eight schools’ combined revenue*, ranging from 42.46% to 51.49% by school*.
These figures come from WorldKids School's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, as the brand reported them, and were read by Averan Advisors. The average, median, combined EBITDA and all percentage shares are Averan calculations from the dollar figures printed in Item 19.
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Talk to Averan → Averan WorldKids School Conversion Package →- Payroll was 47.03% of the eight schools’ combined revenue*. Payroll totaled $7,225,828* on $15,365,596*. By school it ranged from 42.46% at Unit 7 to 51.49% at Unit 6*.
- Occupancy was 12.57% of revenue at the five schools above $1 million and 19.07% at the three below*. Item 19 defines occupancy as rent and real estate taxes. Across all eight schools it was 13.43% of revenue*.
- After a 6% royalty and 2% brand fund, Unit 6 would keep 4.11% of revenue*. Unit 6 reported $810,497 of revenue and $98,136 of EBITDA, 12.11%*. Eight percent of its revenue is $64,840*, leaving $33,296*.
- The printed EBITDA percentages in Item 19 differ from EBITDA divided by revenue at all eight schools. For seven schools the printed percentage matches EBITDA divided by total expenses, rounded*. Revenue less printed total expenses also differs from printed EBITDA at every school, by $1,263 to $13,347 at seven of them and by $353,966 at Unit 3*.
- No franchised WorldKids School was open at the end of 2023, 2024 or 2025. Company-owned schools rose from 5 to 10 over the three years. Item 20 lists 7 franchise agreements signed but not open and projects no franchised openings in the next fiscal year.
Revenue
How much does a WorldKids School franchise make?
| School | Revenue | Payroll share | Occupancy share | EBITDA | EBITDA share | After 6% + 2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 3 | $4,301,751 | 48.31% | 15.13% | $895,870 | 20.83% | 12.83% |
| Unit 8 | $3,947,909 | 48.10% | 11.90% | $895,552 | 22.68% | 14.68% |
| Unit 2 | $2,587,493 | 44.59% | 10.90% | $750,365 | 29.00% | 21.00% |
| Unit 1 | $1,366,698 | 47.20% | 10.94% | $374,203 | 27.38% | 19.38% |
| Unit 7 | $1,133,081 | 42.46% | 11.02% | $362,249 | 31.97% | 23.97% |
| Unit 6 | $810,497 | 51.49% | 19.95% | $98,136 | 12.11% | 4.11% |
| Unit 4 | $680,860 | 44.12% | 17.98% | $137,005 | 20.12% | 12.12% |
| Unit 5 | $537,307 | 46.69% | 19.12% | $96,713 | 18.00% | 10.00% |
| All eight | $15,365,596 | 47.03% | 13.43% | $3,610,093 | 23.49% | 15.49% |
Source: WorldKids School FDD, Item 19, Table 1 (pages 44 and 45). Unit 8’s occupancy is printed as “$469.741” and is read here as $469,741. The last column deducts 8% of revenue, the rate once the brand fund starts in the 13th month.
The eight company schools billed $15,365,596* in 2025, an average of $1,920,700*. The median is $1,249,890*, and 3 of the 8 schools billed more than the average*. Revenue ranged from $537,307 at Unit 5 to $4,301,751 at Unit 3.
Combined EBITDA was $3,610,093*, 23.49% of combined revenue*. Item 19 states that the company schools do not pay royalties or brand fund contributions, so these figures exclude them. A 6% royalty and 2% brand fund on the same revenue come to $1,229,248*, leaving $2,380,845*, or 15.49% of revenue*.
Payroll, occupancy and other items took 47.03%, 13.43% and 15.72% of combined revenue*. Occupancy means rent and real estate taxes. Item 19 says the $2,000 monthly local advertising minimum is included in other items.
All eight schools belong to the franchisor’s affiliate. Item 19 says there are operational differences between the company outlets and a franchised outlet, and on the next page says no material differences are reasonably anticipated. Two further company schools opened partway through 2025 and are not in the table.
Printed figures
Printed percentages and totals in Item 19
| School | Printed EBITDA % | EBITDA ÷ revenue | EBITDA ÷ total expenses | Revenue less total expenses, minus EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 38% | 27.38% | 37.9% | $4,532 |
| Unit 2 | 41% | 29.00% | 41.1% | $9,315 |
| Unit 3 | 26% | 20.83% | 23.8% | −$353,966 |
| Unit 4 | 25% | 20.12% | 25.3% | $3,243 |
| Unit 5 | 22% | 18.00% | 22.0% | $1,263 |
| Unit 6 | 14% | 12.11% | 13.8% | $1,823 |
| Unit 7 | 47% | 31.97% | 47.1% | $2,072 |
| Unit 8 | 29% | 22.68% | 29.5% | $13,347 |
Source: WorldKids School FDD, Item 19, Table 1 (pages 44 and 45). The printed percentages are as filed; the other columns are Averan calculations.
The printed EBITDA percentage is not EBITDA divided by revenue at any of the eight schools. At seven schools it matches EBITDA divided by printed total expenses, rounded*. The printed payroll, occupancy and other-item percentages do match the dollars divided by revenue, except Unit 3’s payroll, printed as 44% where $2,078,308 on $4,301,751 is 48.31%*.
Revenue less printed total expenses does not equal printed EBITDA at any school. At seven schools EBITDA is $1,263 to $13,347 lower*. The FDD does not name the items that make up the gap.
Unit 3’s expense lines do not add to its printed total. Payroll, occupancy and other items add to $3,391,707*; the printed total is $3,759,847, a difference of $368,140*. Revenue less the three lines is $910,044* and revenue less the printed total is $541,904*; printed EBITDA is $895,870. Unit 3’s printed 26% matches EBITDA divided by the three lines, 26.4%*.
The table on this page uses the printed dollar figures. Written substantiation for Item 19 is available on reasonable written request, according to the FDD.
Spread by size
Schools above and below $1 million of revenue, 2025
| Group | Schools | Combined revenue | Average revenue | Payroll share | Occupancy share | EBITDA share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Above $1 million | Units 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 | $13,336,932 | $2,667,386 | 46.92% | 12.57% | 24.58% |
| Below $1 million | Units 4, 5, 6 | $2,028,664 | $676,221 | 47.74% | 19.07% | 16.36% |
| All eight | 8 | $15,365,596 | $1,920,700 | 47.03% | 13.43% | 23.49% |
Source: WorldKids School FDD, Item 19, Table 1. Item 19 does not group the schools; the $1 million split is Averan’s.
Item 19 lists each school separately and does not group them into bands. The highest-revenue school billed $4,301,751 and the lowest $537,307, 8.01 times as much*.
Occupancy was 12.57% of revenue at the five schools above $1 million and 19.07% at the three below*. By school, occupancy ranged from 10.90% at Unit 2 to 19.95% at Unit 6*.
Payroll share did not follow revenue size. The highest payroll share, 51.49%, was at Unit 6 with $810,497 of revenue; the lowest, 42.46%, was at Unit 7 with $1,133,081*. The two groups’ payroll shares were 46.92% and 47.74%*.
EBITDA share was 24.58% above $1 million and 16.36% below*. After 8% of revenue for royalty and brand fund, those become 16.58% and 8.36%*. Unit 7 would keep $271,603* after both charges against $33,296* at Unit 6.
Brand charges
Brand charges
| Charge | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $80,000 | On signing the franchise agreement |
| Site development assistance fee | $20,000 | When the lease is signed or the site is bought |
| Training assistance and opening support fee | $20,000 | Before access to the training system |
| Royalty | 6% of Gross Revenue | Monthly, from the first month open |
| National advertising and development fund | 2% of Gross Revenue | Monthly, from the 13th month |
| Local advertising | Minimum spend of $2,000 a month | Monthly |
| POS and software (third-party vendors) | Up to $700 a month | Monthly |
| E-mail maintenance fee | $15 a month per address, may rise to $50 | Monthly |
| National franchise convention | $700 | As incurred |
| Renewal fee | $10,000 | At renewal |
| Transfer fee | $10,000 | Before transfer |
| Development fee, area developers | $40,000 for each additional school; $160,000–$240,000 for three to five schools including the first franchise fee | On signing the area development agreement |
| Royalty and brand fund on the average school | $153,656 a year, 8% of $1,920,700* | Averan calculation |
Source: WorldKids School FDD, Item 5 (page 11), Item 6 (pages 12 to 15) and Item 7 Part B (page 22). The last row is an Averan calculation.
The royalty is 6% of Gross Revenue and the brand fund is 2% from the 13th month. On the eight schools’ average revenue of $1,920,700*, the royalty is $115,242* and the brand fund $38,414* a year. Gross Revenue excludes sales taxes and tips and is reduced by documented refunds and credits.
The required local advertising and the software fees come to $32,400 a year at their highest*. That is $24,000 of local advertising and up to $8,400 of POS and software, 1.69% of the average school’s revenue*. The local advertising minimum of $24,000 a year is 4.47% of Unit 5’s revenue and 0.56% of Unit 3’s*.
$120,000 is paid to the franchisor before opening in every format. That is 31.71% of the low small-format estimate and 3.14% of the high large-format estimate*. An area developer pays $40,000 for each school after the first, and that development fee is not credited against any other fee.
The state cover page lists mandatory minimum payments, short operating history and the franchisor’s financial condition as risks. It also states that a spouse must sign a guarantee of the franchise agreement obligations. The franchisor, WKAF LLC, was formed on July 18, 2024.
Cost to open
Cost to open
| Line | Small, 1,000–3,000 sq ft | Medium, 4,000–6,000 sq ft | Large, 6,000–12,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $80,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 |
| Site development and training fees | $40,000 | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Rent and security deposits | $20,000–$25,000 | $25,000–$35,000 | $40,000–$75,000 |
| Leasehold improvements | $100,000–$250,000 | $400,000–$1,300,000 | $600,000–$3,000,000 |
| Furniture, fixtures and decor | $40,000–$80,000 | $120,000–$150,000 | $160,000–$300,000 |
| Signage | $10,000–$25,000 | $35,000–$50,000 | $35,000–$65,000 |
| Curriculum | $12,385 | $18,000 | $32,765 |
| Grand opening marketing | $12,000 | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Additional funds, 3 months | $50,000–$75,000 | $80,000–$110,000 | $125,000–$175,000 |
| Total | $378,385–$620,885 | $827,500–$1,823,500 | $1,148,265–$3,826,265 |
Source: WorldKids School FDD, Item 7 (pages 16 to 20). Lines not shown are travel while training, equipment, licenses, insurance and professional fees. The site development and training fees are two $20,000 fees.
Leasehold improvements are the largest line in every format. They run $100,000 to $250,000 for a small school, $400,000 to $1,300,000 for a medium school and $600,000 to $3,000,000 for a large school. Item 7 notes tenant improvement allowances may offset part of the build-out and gives estimated ranges for each format.
Additional funds cover the first three months and include payroll. Item 7 says the franchisor based the estimate on its affiliate’s experience and that a school needs a center director and two teachers in its first year.
The line items in each format add to the printed totals*. The $120,000 paid to the franchisor is the same in all three formats.
Item 11 estimates 180 to 240 days from lease signing to opening. A franchisee must open within 18 months of signing the franchise agreement.
Locations
Locations, 2023 to 2025
| Year | Franchised, start | Franchised, end | Company-owned, start | Opened | Company-owned, end | Total, end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 8 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 10 |
Source: WorldKids School FDD, Item 20, Tables 1, 3, 4 and 5 (pages 47 and 48). All company-owned schools are in Washington and are run by the affiliate.
WorldKids School had no franchised schools open from 2023 to 2025. Company-owned schools rose from 5 to 10, with no closures, transfers, terminations or non-renewals.
Seven franchise agreements were signed but not open at the end of 2025. They are 3 in Washington, 2 in California and 2 in North Carolina. Item 20 projects no new franchised or company-owned openings in the next fiscal year.
The territory is protected, and Item 12 also says it is not exclusive. It is typically a population of 200,000 or a 5-mile radius, whichever is greater, and the franchisor will not open a company-owned or franchised school inside it. Keeping it does not depend on sales volume. The initial term is 10 years.
Questions we get asked
Questions owners ask
How much does it cost to open a WorldKids School franchise?
Item 7 estimates $378,385 to $620,885 for a small school, $827,500 to $1,823,500 for a medium school and $1,148,265 to $3,826,265 for a large school. Each total includes $120,000 paid to the franchisor before opening.
What fees does a WorldKids School franchise pay?
A royalty of 6% of Gross Revenue from the first month and a brand fund of 2% from the 13th month. A franchisee must also spend at least $2,000 a month on local advertising and pays up to $700 a month for POS and software to third-party vendors.
How much revenue does a WorldKids School make?
The eight company-owned schools that traded all of 2025 averaged $1,920,700* in revenue, with a median of $1,249,890*. They ranged from $537,307 to $4,301,751. Item 19 gives no figures for franchised schools because none was open.
What profit do WorldKids schools report?
Item 19 prints EBITDA for each of the eight company schools; combined, it is $3,610,093, 23.49% of revenue*. That is before royalty and brand fund. With 8% of revenue deducted for both, it is 15.49%*.
How many WorldKids School locations are there?
At the end of 2025 there were 10 company-owned schools, all in Washington, and no franchised schools. Seven franchise agreements had been signed for schools not yet open.
Can I rely on the percentages printed in Item 19?
The printed EBITDA percentages do not equal EBITDA divided by revenue for any school, and Unit 3’s expense lines add to $368,140 less than its printed total*. The dollar figures can be used to recalculate each share; the FDD says written substantiation is available on request.
Questions worth putting to WorldKids School
These are questions the filing leaves open. An owner or a buyer can put them to the franchisor directly.
- Is the revenue in Item 19 gross sales or collected revenue, and how many locations sit below the average?
- Which factors does WorldKids School see in its highest-selling locations, such as territory, years open and staffing?
- How long does a new location take to reach the average you publish, and what does the build-up look like month by month?
- At what level of sales do the minimum charges stop applying and the percentage take over?
- How many WorldKids School locations closed, were sold, or changed hands last year, and why?
Run your own numbers.
The Franchise Numbers Check runs the same checks on your own numbers. It scores where you stand and compares you with Item 19 of your brand’s FDD. It works out what one location earns and spends, and builds a 13-week cash forecast. It also checks whether you are ready to open another one. It is free and it runs in your browser.
Launch the diagnostic →Reporting for a WorldKids School owner
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Questions owners ask next
The figures above raise these, and each one is answered on its own page.
- At what level of sales does a minimum fee stop costing me more than the percentage?It works out the sales level where a minimum fee stops applying.
- How much cash do I fund before a new location covers its own costs?It builds a 13-week forecast for the months before break-even.
- What does this location earn on the money I put into it?It works out the payback period and cash-on-cash return for one unit.
- How much of Item 19 can I rely on?It explains what an Item 19 financial performance representation tells you and what it leaves out.
Where these figures come from
Every figure here comes from WKAF LLC’s 2026 FDD and is unaudited by us. We are unaffiliated with the brand. Calculations of our own are labeled where they appear. The figures describe past performance at other businesses and are not a projection of yours. This page is an educational summary. It is not an offer to sell a franchise, and it is not financial, legal or tax advice. WorldKids School is a trademark of its owner. How Averan reads a Franchise Disclosure Document.
These figures come from the brand's disclosure. They are not a forecast, an offer to sell a franchise or advice. Source: WKAF LLC, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, issued 31 March 2026.