Is Maple Bear or Ducklings Early Learning Center cheaper to open?

Maple Bear costs $799,000–$2,394,365 and Ducklings Early Learning Center costs $993,400–$2,153,500 to open (FDD Item 7). Maple Bear has the lower entry cost.

Which is the better franchise, Maple Bear or Ducklings Early Learning Center?

FranchiseVerdict grades Maple Bear D and Ducklings Early Learning Center B, from FDD Items 5–7, 19–21 and SBA loan performance. See the full side-by-side above.

Maple Bear vs Ducklings Early Learning Center

Franchise Comparison 2026

Both Maple Bear and Ducklings Early Learning Center are education franchises. Maple Bear requires an investment of $799K – $2.4M while Ducklings Early Learning Center requires $993K – $2.2M. Ducklings Early Learning Center discloses average revenue of $1.8M; Maple Bear makes no financial performance representation in its Item 19, which is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule. Note: Includes company-owned outlets. FranchiseVerdict rates Maple Bear D (Below average) and Ducklings Early Learning Center B (Above average).

Metric	Maple Bear	Ducklings Early Learning Center
Verdict Grade	DBelow average	BAbove average
Investment Range	$799K – $2.4M	$993K – $2.2M
Franchise Fee	$85K	$55K
Royalty Rate	6.0%	3.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)	N/ANo Item 19 representation	$1.8MIncl. company outlets
SBA Charge-Off Rate	N/A	Limited data
Total Units	1	14
Unit Growth (YoY)	-1 units	+3 units
Year Began Franchising	2019	2017
FDD Year	2025	2025