How Much Does an Eye Level Learning Center Franchise Cost?

Get Franchise Bundle
Get Full Bundle:
$79 $49
$99 $79
$49 $29

TOTAL:

2026 COST ANSWER

How much does an Eye Level Learning Center franchise cost?

The April 8, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document states that the total Estimated Initial Investment for an Eye Level Learning Center is $49,968 to $133,200. The franchisor gives one opening-investment range for a Learning Center rather than separate total-investment ranges for New Centers, Transfer Centers, or multi-unit commitments. A transfer acquisition and each additional unit therefore need a separate budget rather than a blended use of this range.

$49,968-$133,200

2026 FDD Item 7 range. It includes premises, build-out, equipment, opening marketing, insurance, payroll, and Additional Funds for the first three months. The Initial Franchise Fee is only one component of this total. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 24-27.

Data basis: Legal franchisor: Daekyo America, Inc., a California corporation. FDD issuance date: April 8, 2026. Cost sections reviewed: Item 5, pages 13-14; Item 6, pages 14-23; Item 7, pages 24-27; Item 10, page 33; and cost-relevant provisions of Items 8, 11, and 17. Information checked July 19, 2026. No matching 2026 FDD was found on a franchise-controlled public website, so FDD references below are unlinked Item/page citations. The Wisconsin active-franchise registration list includes Daekyo America, Inc. through April 21, 2027.

The brand's official U.S. franchise information confirms the U.S. offer, while the 2026 FDD controls the financial figures in this article.

SOURCE CONFLICT

The official U.S. investment page and franchise FAQ still display older cost language that does not match the April 8, 2026 FDD. Those older investment and franchise-fee figures are not used here.

Capital snapshot

The snapshot separates the signing payment, the opening range, the three-month operating allowance, and the monthly charge structure so they are not mistaken for the same capital requirement.

Initial Franchise Fee $1,000 Standard single-unit fee, due at Franchise Agreement signing.
Paid to franchisor or affiliates $4,100-$6,100 Included within the cover-page investment range.
Additional Funds $7,500-$27,600 Opening-cost allowance for the first three months after opening.
Monthly royalty range $33-$42 Per Subject-Student for an Authorized Curricula subject; see caveat below.
Minimum Royalty $1,500/mo. Applies from the 13th reporting month after first enrollment.

Sources: 2026 FDD cover; Item 5, page 13; Item 6, pages 14-21; Item 7, pages 24-27.

ITEM 7 INVESTMENT

What is included in the $49,968 to $133,200 investment?

For one Learning Center, the 2026 opening-cost table covers 17 disclosed expenditure categories. Leasehold Improvements and Additional Funds create most of the published spread; the Initial Franchise Fee, Microsite Set-Up Fee, and Booklet Security Deposit are comparatively small fixed payments.

Agreement and premises costs

For one Learning Center in the 2026 FDD, premises-related outlays dominate the range: Leasehold Improvements reach $60,000 at the disclosed high end, and a required Lease Security Deposit reaches $9,400.

Disclosed expenditure Amount Timing Payee or cost driver
Initial Franchise Fee $1,000 At Franchise Agreement signing Franchisor
Microsite Set-Up Fee $100 Upon opening Franchisor
Booklet Security Deposit $3,000 At Franchise Agreement signing Franchisor; refundable only after permitted deductions
Rent $1,500-$4,700 As required by landlord First month's rent is included
Lease Security Deposit, if required $1,500-$9,400 As required by landlord Refundability depends on the lease
Leasehold Improvements $18,000-$60,000 Before opening Contractors and outside suppliers
Design and Architect Fees $1,000-$2,000 Before opening Architects and interior design firms

Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 24-26.

The $3,000 deposit is refundable only after permitted deductions. At the end of the relationship, the FDD permits a $2 charge for each booklet shortfall, recovery of return-shipping costs, and offsets for other amounts owed; any remaining balance is returned without interest. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5, pages 13-14.

Equipment, approvals, and launch costs

The opening budget also covers required physical assets, technology, approvals, insurance, communications, and the launch-marketing commitment before or shortly after opening.

Disclosed expenditure Amount Timing What the amount covers
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, Signage and Supplies $7,000-$8,000 Before opening Outside suppliers and required Self-Directed Learning Desks
Professional Fees $1,000-$3,000 Before opening Lawyers, accountants, and other advisers
Computer and Tablets for Eye Level Center $2,000-$3,000 Before opening Three computer functions, headsets, and center-management hardware
Business License and Permits $100-$200 Before opening Government agencies
Criminal Background Check $18-$50 Before opening Outside vendor; local fingerprinting charges may be additional
Grand Opening Marketing $4,000 During the first six months Required opening-marketing spend; some New Center pre-opening activity may count
Insurance - 12 months $1,050-$2,200 Before opening Required coverage, including cyber security insurance
Internet and Telephone System $200-$300 Before opening Initial equipment plus a continuing service charge

Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 24-27; Item 8, pages 30-31.

Initial operating cushion

The official total already includes the disclosed three-month payroll estimate and the three-month operating allowance, so neither amount should be added a second time.

Disclosed expenditure Amount Covered period Interpretation
Payroll Cost for Employees $1,000-$4,000 Three months Depends on staffing and local wage rates
Additional Funds $7,500-$27,600 Three months from opening Already included in the total Estimated Initial Investment
Total Estimated Initial Investment $49,968-$133,200 Opening and initial operating period Official Item 7 total; do not add Additional Funds again

Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 25 and 27.

FDD CAVEAT

A direct addition of the published Item 7 rows produces $49,968 at the low end, matching the official total, but $132,550 at the high end - $650 below the official $133,200 maximum. This is a derived arithmetic check, not a replacement estimate. The official high total is preserved, and a buyer should request a written reconciliation from the franchisor. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 24-26.

PAYMENT TIMING

When is the money paid?

The cash is not paid in one installment. The Franchise Agreement and Booklet Security Deposit are paid at signing; premises and development costs accumulate before opening; marketing and working-capital obligations continue into the first months; and the core Item 6 fees are generally collected by Electronic Funds Transfer on the 20th day of the month.

At Franchise Agreement signingPay the $1,000 Initial Franchise Fee and $3,000 Booklet Security Deposit. For a multi-unit grant, all $1,000-per-agreement franchise fees are due when the first Franchise Agreement is signed.
During site development and before openingPay landlord deposits, Rent, Leasehold Improvements, furniture, signage, equipment, Professional Fees, Design and Architect Fees, computers, licenses, permits, background checks, insurance, payroll setup, and communications costs as incurred.
At opening and during the launch periodPay the $100 Microsite Set-Up Fee upon opening. Complete at least $4,000 of Grand Opening Marketing during the first six months. The disclosed Additional Funds cover the first three months from opening.
Monthly after openingThe franchisor generally debits Royalty Fees, Enrollment Royalty, Brand Development Fund contributions, purchases, and other amounts by EFT on the 20th or next business day. The $1,500 Minimum Royalty begins after the first year from first Subject-Student enrollment.

Sources: 2026 FDD, Items 5-7, pages 13-27; Item 11, pages 39-40.

ONGOING FEES

Which fees continue after the Learning Center opens?

The principal continuing obligation is a per-Subject-Student Continuing Service and Royalty charge, supplemented by the Enrollment Royalty, Summit of Math Royalty, Brand Development Fund, and conditional Cooperative Advertising contributions. Required Instructional Materials and shipping can add usage-based charges.

Continuing cost entity Disclosed amount Fee basis and timing Important qualification
Continuing Service and Royalty $33-$42 Per Subject-Student per month; due by the 20th based on prior-month enrollment A person in two Authorized Curricula subjects counts as two Subject-Students
Enrollment Royalty Fee $15 Per newly enrolled student for the reporting month New and Transfer Centers may offer free enrollment during the first three months
Minimum Royalty $1,500/month Beginning in the 13th reporting month Applies when the calculated Royalty is below $1,500
Summit of Math Continuing Service and Royalty Fee $10-$15 Per Summit of Math Subject-Student per month Summit of Math must be offered in addition to Eye Level Math and English
Brand Development Fund $1 Per Subject-Student per month Not applied to Summit of Math students
Cooperative Advertising Programs Up to $1,000 As directed by a local Cooperative Only if the Learning Center participates; the FDD states none existed at issuance
Additional Instructional Materials $1/booklet For Booklets above the allowance Shipping and handling remain payable
Handling and carrier shipping $3 or $4/box, plus shipping As incurred $4 for boxes of 25 pounds or more; $3 below 25 pounds

Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pages 14-23; Item 8, pages 28-29.

For qualifying New and Transfer Centers, free trials may be offered during the first six months without Royalty or booklet charges, except shipping, when the required records are entered correctly. A separate free-enrollment program can waive the Enrollment Royalty during the first three months. Applicable state sales or use tax on Royalty Fees may also be collected. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pages 21-22.

ROYALTY SCHEDULE CAVEAT

The ongoing-fee table states a $33-$42 monthly Royalty range. Note 2 also refers to $36 per Subject-Student during identified noncompliance or probation circumstances and $32 after stated probation requirements, which does not cleanly align with the table's $33 lower bound. Obtain the current written Royalty schedule from the Operations Manual and have the franchisor explain which rate controls before signing.

Eye Level's disclosed subsidies and Royalty credits

These items may reduce a qualifying New Center's or Transfer Center's net cash outlay, but they are conditional and should not be subtracted from Item 7 unless the franchisor confirms eligibility in writing.

Rental SubsidyUp to $500 per month for the first four months after first Subject-Student enrollment; New Center only, full compliance and an addendum required.
Rental Subsidy 2An additional up to $500 per month for four months if the New Center opens and enrolls its first Subject-Student within 240 days, subject to the same conditions.
Center Opening Support SubsidyUp to $1,000 reimbursement for preapproved opening-marketing activity for New and Transfer Centers.
Growth Incentive credits$1,000 Royalty credit at 30 Subject-Students within 90 days and another $1,000 at 80 Subject-Students within 180 days; one or both may be earned.

Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pages 15-16; Item 7, pages 26-27.

The Key & Manager center-management system currently has no usage fee, but the FDD reserves the right to impose technology, maintenance, support, hardware, software, and upgrade costs in the future. The frequency and cost of hardware or software updates are not capped in the Franchise Agreement.

FORMAT DIFFERENCE

How do transfer and multi-unit costs differ?

A New Learning Center, a Transfer Learning Center, and a multi-unit commitment do not have identical fee contracts. The 2026 FDD gives only one total-investment range, so transfer acquisition costs and the capital for additional units must be evaluated separately.

Multi-unit agreements

Under the 2026 FDD, each additional unit carries a $1,000 agreement fee, but no combined capital range is disclosed for a commitment of two to five centers.

Development scopeThe franchisor may grant multi-unit opportunities for up to five Learning Centers.
Initial Franchise FeesThe FDD states $1,000 for each additional Franchise Agreement, with all unit fees due when the first Franchise Agreement is signed.
Capital implicationNo multi-unit aggregate is disclosed. The $49,968-$133,200 range should not be treated as the total capital for two to five centers.

Source: 2026 FDD, Item 1, page 9; Item 5, page 13.

Transfer Center transaction

For a Transfer Center under the 2026 FDD, the disclosed transaction charges include a $5,000 Transfer Fee, a $1,000 Transfer Training Fee, and a $10,000 Initial Franchise Fee, while the purchase price and required upgrade cost remain undisclosed.

Transfer cost or obligation Amount When due How it differs
Transfer Fee $5,000 Before transfer completion No charge for a transfer to a company controlled by the current franchisee
Transfer Training Fee $1,000 Before transfer completion Credited on the transferee's statement after operations begin
Transfer Initial Franchise Fee $10,000 At Franchise Agreement signing The FDD describes a $1,000 credit against this amount after the center begins operating
Transfer Royalty starting rate $36/Subject-Student At least six months and until stated probation requirements are met Also applies to a current franchisee acquiring a second center by transfer
Upgrade and remodel Not disclosed As required for transfer approval The transferee must agree to correct deficiencies and upgrade/remodel within the specified period
Purchase price and assumed liabilities Not disclosed Transaction-specific Not included as a separate amount in the Item 7 range

Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, page 17; Item 11, page 40; Item 17, pages 53-54.

SDL Desk disclosure conflict: Item 5 says a New Learning Center receives up to 16 Self-Directed Learning Desks at no cost, while Item 8 says up to 20. Both say a Transfer Learning Center receives up to 10. Additional SDL Desks cost $150 each, with a disclosed maximum additional spend of $1,500. Confirm the no-cost New Center quantity in writing before finalizing the furniture budget. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5, page 14; Item 8, page 28.

FUNDING REQUIREMENTS

What liquid capital, net worth, and financing terms are disclosed?

The April 8, 2026 FDD does not state a minimum Liquid Capital or Net Worth threshold, and Item 10 says the franchisor does not offer direct or indirect Financing or guarantee a note, lease, or obligation. The official U.S. franchise FAQ, checked July 19, 2026, displays screening language of more than $60,000 in liquid assets and more than $120,000 in net worth for a single unit, but that page also contains older cost data. Treat those thresholds as website screening language, not an Item 7 investment figure, and obtain current written confirmation.

Estimated Initial Investment$49,968-$133,200 is the franchisor's Item 7 opening-cost range.
Liquid CapitalCash or cash-like funds available for the investment; the 2026 FDD does not publish a threshold.
Net WorthTotal assets less liabilities; it is not the same as cash available to fund the center.
FinancingItem 10 provides no franchisor financing arrangement and no guarantee of third-party credit approval.

The official franchise qualification process states that financial strength, financial documentation, credit, and background information are reviewed. A lender's approval would remain separate from the franchisor's qualification decision.

Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 10, page 33; official Eye Level U.S. FAQ and qualification-process pages, checked July 19, 2026.

CONDITIONAL CHARGES

Which later events can create additional fees?

The ongoing-fee disclosures contain material charges that are not part of ordinary monthly Royalty and Brand Development Fund payments. Some are fixed; others reimburse the franchisor for actual costs or use formulas that cannot be converted into a fixed dollar budget.

Late payment or underpaymentAn Administrative Fee of 1.5% of the overdue amount each month or $500, whichever is higher, plus a $100 Insufficient Funds Processing Fee when applicable. Past-due amounts may also be placed on a promissory note carrying interest.
Late or inaccurate reporting$200 for the first month, $500 for the second month, with increments of $500 per month thereafter.
Audit or supplier testingReimbursement of inspection or Audit costs when reporting conditions are triggered; the franchisor's costs for testing a proposed product or supplier.
Training, conference, and operational intervention$150 per person per day plus expenses at the franchisor's location; $300 per person per day plus expenses at the center; a possible reasonable annual-conference registration fee plus travel and related expenses; and a Management Fee of $500 per person per day plus costs in specified management situations.
Maintenance, Refurbishing, and Insurance defaultReimbursement of the franchisor's costs if it corrects appearance deficiencies or procures required insurance after the franchisee fails to do so.
Renewal, contract changes, and payment method$1,000 Renewal Fee, remodeling to then-current standards regardless of cost, a $250 Administrative Addendum Fee, and a 5% surcharge on fees paid by credit card.
Relocation or transferNo separate Relocation Fee is stated, but the franchisee pays for approved new signage and removal of old signage; the Transfer Fee is $5,000 and transfer-related training and remodel obligations may apply.
Default, breach, or early exitCosts and Attorneys' Fees, Indemnification, an Early Termination Fee of $4,000 for termination without cause, and Liquidated Damages based on average Royalty Fees multiplied by the lesser of six months or the months remaining in the term.
Background ChecksVendor-determined costs for required checks, including checks for assistants age 18 or older; the FDD also identifies an $18 FBI processing fee plus possible local fingerprinting costs.
Future technology servicesComputer System, Maintenance, and Support currently have no charge, but Item 6 permits charges if those services are implemented.

Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pages 17-23; Item 17, pages 51-54.

Non-Compliance Fee conflict: The Amount column states $500 per month for each non-complying incident, while the Remarks column says $300 for each non-compliance issue until cured. Do not choose either figure as controlling without written clarification and the current Operations Manual. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, page 18.

BUYER VERIFICATION

What does the official investment range leave unresolved?

The disclosed range is an opening estimate, not a complete cap on every cash obligation. Local premises costs, transfer economics, future technology changes, training travel, and later remodel duties can move the required capital outside the questions answered by the table.

Reconcile the high-end arithmetic.Ask for a written explanation of the $650 difference between the published line-item high sum and the official $133,200 total.
Obtain a site-specific premises budget.Rent, Lease Security Deposit, Leasehold Improvements, ADA work, zoning, permit conditions, landlord allowances, and exterior Signage depend on the approved site.
Separate business working capital from personal cash needs.Item 7 defines Additional Funds as three months from opening but does not state that owner compensation or personal living expenses are included.
Price training travel separately.Training for up to two management-team members is included in the Initial Franchise Fee, but transportation, lodging, meals, employee wages, and workers' compensation are the franchisee's responsibility and are not a separate Item 7 row.
For a Transfer Center, isolate the acquisition contract.Confirm purchase price, lease assumption, existing liabilities, transfer charges, Royalty probation terms, and required remodel work rather than applying the New Center opening range mechanically.
Confirm current fee schedules and qualifications.Request the latest Operations Manual schedules for Royalty, shipping, late fees, and technology, plus written Liquid Capital and Net Worth criteria.
Review the current disclosure before payment.The FTC Consumer's Guide to Buying a Franchise explains how Items 5, 6, and 7 fit into due diligence, and the FTC Franchise Rule governs the required disclosure framework.
CAPITAL SYNTHESIS

What capital number should a prospective franchisee carry forward?

Use $49,968 to $133,200 as the official April 8, 2026 Item 7 Estimated Initial Investment for one Eye Level Learning Center, not as the Initial Franchise Fee, a Liquid Capital requirement, or a multi-unit budget. The largest disclosed range driver is Leasehold Improvements at $18,000 to $60,000, followed by $7,500 to $27,600 of Additional Funds for the first three months.

After opening, the cost contract shifts to per-Subject-Student Royalty charges, Enrollment Royalty, Brand Development Fund contributions, a $1,500 Minimum Royalty after the first year, materials and shipping charges, and event-triggered fees. The most important unresolved points are the Item 7 high-end arithmetic, the conflicting Royalty and Non-Compliance Fee language, the New Center SDL Desk count, and any separate Transfer Center acquisition obligations.

Official U.S. franchise information Wisconsin active registrations FTC franchise-buying guide






Related Blogs