KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — The Goddard School has again landed among the nation’s elite franchise brands, earning top-tier rankings across three major industry lists after a year marked by rapid expansion and strong franchisee confidence.
The early childhood education provider was named one of the top franchise opportunities in the 2026 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 and Franchise Business Review’s 2026 Top 200 Franchises. The brand also reclaimed its position as the highest-ranking childcare and early education system in the 2025 Franchise Times Top 400, which measures the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales.
The 2026 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 marks the 28th consecutive year Goddard has appeared on the influential list, ranking No. 68 this year. The brand was inducted into the Franchise 500 Hall of Fame in 2025 and was also recognized as a Top Brand for Multi-Unit Owners and a Top Franchise for Veterans. Franchise Business Review’s Top 200 ranking is based entirely on independent feedback from franchise owners.
The accolades follow a banner year for growth. The Goddard School signed 84 new franchise licenses in 2025, the second-highest total in its history. Nearly half of those licenses were awarded to first-time franchisees, while the rest came from existing operators expanding their portfolios, highlighting the brand’s appeal to both new entrepreneurs and seasoned multi-unit owners.
“2025 was a pivotal year for us — we saw near-historic growth driven by the dedication of our franchisees and the trust families place in our schools,” said Tim Linderman, senior vice president and chief growth officer of Goddard Systems LLC, which manages the franchise system. He credited the brand’s operating standards, training, marketing, and educational programming for strengthening performance across the network.
New franchise agreements were signed in markets spanning Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. At the same time, Goddard opened 28 new schools across eight states. More than 70 percent of those openings involved multi-school operators or partnerships with existing owners, a signal of confidence in the brand’s scalability.
Looking ahead, the company said it expects to award nearly 100 new franchise agreements in 2026, expanding further in both established and emerging markets nationwide.
Franchisees say the model’s support structure has been key to growth. Leisa Byars, who owns six Goddard Schools in Tennessee, said the system’s backing from site selection through operations has enabled continued expansion while maintaining educational quality.
Beyond franchise growth, Goddard said its schools now serve nearly 100,000 children and families through more than 670 locations. In 2025, the brand reported a Net Promoter Score of 84, with families giving an average rating of 9.46 out of 10 for likelihood to recommend. Its Wonder of Learning inquiry-based curriculum, introduced in 2024, has produced measurable outcomes, with the company reporting 98 percent kindergarten readiness among preschoolers.
Linderman said demand continues to rise as prospective franchise owners seek businesses that balance purpose with long-term performance, positioning The Goddard School for continued expansion in the year ahead.
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