Joel Libava
The Goddard School franchise opened its 700th school in Winter Garden, Florida, on November 9, 2026. The franchise brand now spans 37 states and Washington, D.C.
That being said, growth is a good sign. It’s not a substitute for your own due diligence.
The Goddard School Franchise Hits a Big Number
The Goddard School franchise just hit a big number. Goddard Systems, LLC announced the opening of school number 700: The Goddard School of Winter Garden – Horizon West, Florida.
The brand began franchising in 1988. Today those 700 schools serve almost 100,000 children, from six weeks to six years old.
Fact: You need to know that the state of Florida drove much of the recent growth. Goddard awarded 13 franchise licenses there in 2026. Six went to new franchisees. Seven went to existing owners adding schools. That’s a good sign!
That’s because franchisees who already know the business are buying more of them. And it’s worth paying attention to. The brand also opened its first schools in San Francisco and Brooklyn, and awarded its first license in Maine.
About The Goddard School’s New Florida Location
The new Winter Garden franchise is run by on-site operator Victoria VanSicklin, who has more than 20 years in early childhood education.
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She is partnering with Pam and Shawn King, who own six other Goddard schools in Florida and Georgia. An experienced educator in the building, with seasoned owners behind her, is a model worth understanding.
Goddard cites its rankings: No. 68 on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500 and No. 57 on the Franchise Times Top 400. Those are the franchisor’s talking points, so treat them that way.
What Childhood Education Franchise Buyers Should Do
A press release is a celebration. Congratulations to this important franchisor. But it’s not due diligence.
In short, if you’re considering The Goddard School, read the Franchise Disclosure Document front to back. Study the financial performance data in Item 19. Then call current franchisees and former ones, using the lists in Item 20. Don’t skip the franchise owners who left.
Then, be sure to ask about staffing, state licensing and how long it took to reach break-even. Early education is a people business, so those answers matter.
The Bottom Line
Seven hundred schools is a real milestone. It shows demand and a system that’s held up for nearly 40 years.
But a big number does not tell you whether this franchise fits you, your market and your wallet.
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Do the homework. Talk to owners. Then decide.
Press Release Source: Goddard Systems, LLC press release via GlobeNewswire, Nov. 9, 2026
(Main image courtesy of The Goddard School website.)
About the Author
Joel Libava is The Franchise King® — an independent franchise advisor with 25+ years in the industry, two published books on franchising, and his writing has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, Entrepreneur® Magazine and others. In addition, he wrote exclusively for the U.S. Small Business Administration blog for eight years. He doesn't sell franchises. Instead, Joel helps you figure out if franchise ownership is actually right for you — and if it is, teaches you his powerful, proven-to-work franchise research techniques, so you can make a smart, informed decision on a franchise to own and be your own boss.
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