Kumon is a unique educational system that teaches students how to master reading and math skills at their own pace. Kumon was started in 1954 by Toru Kumon. Toru was a japanese mathematics teacher that saw a need for a different teaching method because his son was having difficulty with math. The teaching method dubbed ‘The Kumon method’ was so successful that his son was able to do calculus by the end of sixth grade. With the help of his parents, Toru opened his first ‘Kumon Centre’ in Osaka, Japan in 1956. By 1958 he founded ‘Kumon Institute of Education’ and began opening locations around the world. Since opening there have been about 20 million students enrolled with about 4 million currently enrolled in 2009. Kumon has a huge presence worldwide with 1500 Kumon Centre’s in the U.S. and 26,000 centre’s worldwide.
What makes Kumon different? The biggest part is that students work at their own pace instead of with a class on a predetermined teaching pace. Also, the student must master each level of teaching before they move on to the next level, creating a strong foundation of comprehension and retention for the student. Since the student moves at his or her own pace and at a progression that is so gradual, they don’t get frustrated with the learning process. With the help of their instructors and simple daily assignments that teach them control and concentration, students will be headed down the path of the Kumon philosophy which is ‘There is nothing a child can’t do.’
Facts and Figures
Kumon is one of the few franchises that gives franchisee’s a feeling of rewarding work that benefits the community on top of making a secure financial future for themselves because it helps children realize their full potential and increases education in the community.
Even though Kumon has over 25,000 centre’s worldwide only 1500 centre’s are located in the U.S. making it a fairly small franchise in the states. The Kumon family owns a 60% share of the company, keeping it controlled by the family with the original teaching vision.
Franchisee’s can benefit from very modest start-up costs of $30k-$130k. Kumon is one of the largest and most established franchises in the world. Backing this estimation is a report from Forbes in 2009 that the entire company is worth over $1 billion. Kumon plans to open 120 new centre’s worldwide in 2009. The average total investment is usually about $50k with an ongoing royalty of $32-$36 per subject per month per student.
A staff of 1 full-time and 1-3 part-time employee’s is expected and a freestanding building or storefront in a strip center with 1000 square feet is needed. An initial contract term of 3 years is required with a renewal period of 5 years available after the initial 3 year term.
Kumon has a corporate staff of 400 that help with things like building site selection, advertising, grand openings, field training, inventory, 800 hotline help and other tasks. An 8 to 11 day training period is needed before opening a Kumon centre. There is even a quiz located on the Kumon website for people to take that may be interested in starting a Kumon centre.
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