Mathnasium vs Signal 88 Security: Which Is the Better Investment?

Based on FranchiseStack.ai's analysis of 188+ franchise FDD filings — side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Updated 2026.

Education & Children Business Services Real Data Not Investment Advice
M

Mathnasium

Education & Children
$115K – $149K
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VS
S8

Signal 88 Security

Business Services
$50K – $130K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Signal 88 Security wins on investment range ($19K less) vs Mathnasium.
Fee Burden
Signal 88 Security wins on royalty rate (4.0% lower) vs Mathnasium.
Unit Count
Mathnasium wins on total units (925 more) vs Signal 88 Security.
Satisfaction
Mathnasium wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Signal 88 Security.

Detailed Analysis: Mathnasium vs Signal 88 Security

According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 188+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Mathnasium and Signal 88 Security are among the most-researched franchise comparisons. The choice comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. Mathnasium operates in Education & Children while Signal 88 Security is in Business Services. Cross-industry comparisons are valuable when you're evaluating which business model best fits your skills and lifestyle.

From a capital perspective, Signal 88 Security has a lower entry point. However, initial investment alone doesn't determine ROI — ongoing royalties, revenue potential, and failure rates all factor into long-term returns. Signal 88 Security charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket.

Franchisee satisfaction is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. Mathnasium leads with a 75/100 satisfaction score, indicating that existing owners are more positive about their decision. Before committing to either franchise, we recommend running both through our Financial Model tool to project personalized 5-year P&L scenarios. You should also review each franchise's complete Franchise Disclosure Document using our FDD Checker to understand litigation history, termination rates, and territory restrictions.

Investment & Fees

Metric Mathnasium Signal 88 Security
Min Investment $115K $50K
Max Investment $149K $130K
Franchise Fee $49K $30K
Royalty Rate 10.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Mathnasium Signal 88 Security
Avg Unit Revenue $400K $400K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Mathnasium Signal 88 Security
Total Units 1,100 175
Annual Growth 4.0% N/A
Failure Rate 4.0% N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Mathnasium Signal 88 Security
Franchisee Satisfaction 75/100 70/100

Track Record

Metric Mathnasium Signal 88 Security
Years in Business 22 N/A
Years Franchising 19 N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Mathnasium Signal 88 Security
Min Net Worth Required $200K N/A
Liquid Capital Required $100K N/A

Operations

Metric Mathnasium Signal 88 Security
Avg Employees 6 N/A
Training Weeks 2 N/A

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mathnasium or Signal 88 Security a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Mathnasium has 1,100 total units and a 75/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Signal 88 Security has 175 total units and a 70/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Mathnasium franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Mathnasium franchise requires an initial investment of $115K – $149K. The franchise fee is $49K, with ongoing royalties of 10.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Signal 88 Security franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Signal 88 Security franchise requires an initial investment of $50K – $130K. The franchise fee is $30K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Mathnasium vs Signal 88 Security?

Mathnasium's royalty rate is 10.0%. Signal 88 Security's royalty rate is 6.0%. That means Mathnasium has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Mathnasium or Signal 88 Security?

Mathnasium has 1,100 total units. Signal 88 Security has 175 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Mathnasium or Signal 88 Security semi-absentee friendly?

Mathnasium is typically run as a owner-operator model. Signal 88 Security is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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