Brett and Jenna met in high school in Kearney and later attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Brett played football and Jenna was on the Dance Team. They’ve called Lincoln home for the past decade while Brett competed professionally in the NFL and Jenna taught elementary school. Jenna’s classroom experience showed her how crucial strong math foundations are, which inspired them to open Mathnasium of Lincoln in November of 2024. They have 11 employees. When they’re not at the center, they’re busy with their three kids.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
We knew we wanted to do something meaningful that would benefit the Lincoln community, and a friend introduced us to Mathnasium. The moment I walked into a center and saw it in action, I fell in love – it had all the best aspects of a well-run classroom from my teaching days, but focused entirely on building math confidence and skills. The model felt like the perfect blend of Brett’s entrepreneurial drive and my education background, plus it offered us a way to work together as a family. It checked every box: community impact, a proven concept we believed in, and the opportunity to help students in a way that felt deeply personal to me.
When researching franchises, what criteria mattered to you most? How did your franchise meet that criteria?
Three things mattered most to us: community impact, strong return on investment, and robust franchise support. We wanted to do something meaningful that would benefit kids in Lincoln, not just run any business. Mathnasium checked that box immediately – there’s a real need for quality math education, and we could see the difference we’d make. From a business perspective, we needed a proven model with solid financials and growth potential. The Mathnasium track record and support gave us confidence in the ROI. Finally, the support system was critical since neither of us had owned a business before. Between the training, our new-franchise support team, and the network of other owners willing to share their experience, we knew we wouldn’t be figuring it out alone. Mathnasium met all three criteria, which made the decision clear.
Which of your prior skills and experiences do you use in operating your business today?
My teaching background comes alive every day at the center – I love the student interactions, seeing those ‘aha!’ moments, and watching incredible growth happen. The individualization of each learning plan is honestly a dream. I get to focus on what I loved most about teaching: connecting with students and celebrating their progress. Brett brings the discipline and structure from his football career to handle the behind-the-scenes operations – payroll, finances, and keeping us on track with our growth goals. It really is a team effort: I focus on the students and instructional side, while Brett ensures the business runs smoothly. Together, we’ve built something that combines both our strengths.
During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?
Yes, we used FBR’s website and we also talked to trusted friends in the franchise space.
When doing your research, which questions did you ask the franchisees?
We asked about establishing the culture of a center, the digital tools, and the support from the franchisor.
Which questions did you ask the franchisor?
We wanted to understand exactly what systems and support would be in place to help us run the center smoothly, and what operations we’d need to set up on our own. Specifically, we asked about curriculum and assessment tools, student management software, marketing resources, and ongoing training for our instructors. We also wanted clarity on the financial side – what the startup costs truly entailed and what our ongoing obligations would be. Understanding that balance between the franchise’s proven systems and our own operational responsibilities was crucial. We needed to know we’d have a strong framework to work within, but also the flexibility to build relationships in our local community and put our own stamp on the center. The answers we got gave us confidence that Mathnasium provides the structure without being overly prescriptive.
What were your first 90 days like as a franchisee?
The first 90 days were a whirlwind of learning, but I felt supported every step of the way by our Mathnasium Support team. They were invaluable in helping us navigate everything from hiring our first instructors to fine-tuning our operations. What made it so exciting was that while we had the proven Mathnasium framework and resources, they encouraged us to put our own heart into the center and connect it to the Lincoln community. I loved getting to know our first families, seeing students make progress right away, and building a team of instructors who shared our passion for math education. Those early wins – a struggling student finally ‘getting it,’ a parent’s grateful email – reminded us why we made this leap.
At what point did you feel like you “got the hang of it” and settled in as a business owner?
Around the one-year mark, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, that went fast!’ – and realizing that so many things had become second nature. Student assessments, customizing learning plans, managing our instructor team, even the daily rhythm of the center all felt natural. But here’s the thing: just when we felt settled, we started challenging ourselves to grow. We’ve added new programs, expanded our reach in the Lincoln community, and continuously look for ways to better serve our families. I think that’s what I love about this business – there’s a solid foundation and proven systems, but there’s always room to innovate and improve. We’re in a constant state of growth, which keeps it exciting and ensures we’re always putting students first.
How does the franchisor support and encourage your success?
The initial training was thorough – maybe even a little overwhelming at times with so much information coming at us – but the hands-on experience at the corporate learning centers was invaluable. Seeing a high-performing center in action and working directly with students gave us the confidence we needed. That said, I can’t overstate how critical our Field Support Specialist, David, has been to our success. He answered every question, no matter how small, and made sure we had thought through every detail before opening. An unexpected and happy surprise has been the support from other Mathnasium owners, especially nearby centers. They’re so willing to share what’s working, talk through challenges, and offer advice. It’s reassuring to have people who’ve ‘been there’ and genuinely want to see each other succeed. Between David, the franchisee network, and the proven systems Mathnasium provides, we’ve never felt like we were figuring it out alone. It’s a true support system.
What are you most proud of and why?
I’m most proud of the culture we’ve created at our center and the incredible student success we’re seeing. Our students are making giant leaps in their math confidence and understanding – the kind of growth that changes how they see themselves as learners. It’s one thing to see progress during sessions at the center, but what really gets me is when students come in excited to share their test scores from school. Those moments – when a kid who used to dread math is now proud of their grade – that’s why we do this. We’ve built a place where students actually want to come, where they feel safe to make mistakes and celebrate wins. Our instructors are invested, our families trust us, and our students are thriving. It’s exactly what I envisioned when I left the classroom, but on a scale I could never have reached as one teacher.
What advice would you give to potential franchise owners?
My biggest advice is to see Mathnasium in action – visit centers while students are actually working. Watch the interactions, observe the energy, and pay attention to how students respond. That’s what sold me. Also, talk to current owners and ask all your questions. We’ve all been in your shoes, and we genuinely want to help because we’re united by the same goal: making a positive impact on students. Don’t be shy – ask about the challenges, the day-to-day reality, what surprised us, and what we wish we’d known. The franchise community is incredibly supportive, and you’ll get honest answers. If you love education, believe in the Mathnasium Method™, and are ready to work hard, this can be an incredibly rewarding path.
Mathnasium franchisees are incredibly happy. According to our recent Franchise Business Review survey, owners continue to give Mathnasium leadership high marks.
- 91% agreed they enjoyed operating their business
- 90% agreed they were supportive of the Mathnasium brand
- 89% agreed they enjoyed being a part of the organization
In addition to their impressive survey responses from their franchisees, Mathnasium also appears on the following FBR data-backed lists:
- Top Franchises for Women
- Top 200 Franchises Overall
- Most Innovative Franchises
- Top Franchises for Veterans
- Recession-Proof Franchises
- Top Franchises for Culture
For more information about franchising with Mathnasium, call 888-763-2604 or visit http://mathnasiumfranchise.com.
