When Sam Younis graduated from Columbia University with an MFA in theater, he initially planned for a career on the stage or in film. Early in his career, he had performed on Broadway and landed small parts on television shows, including CSI: Miami and Disney’s Wandavision. His success in New York prompted him and his wife to move to Los Angeles. He carved together a living working odd jobs that allowed him to audition for acting roles. Frustrated with an inconsistent income, Younis pivoted his job search and looked for jobs outside acting. One of the part-time jobs he discovered he enjoyed most was tutoring. That’s when a Google search led him to discover Mathnasium, a math tutoring and learning center franchise. Franchisees operate local Mathnasium centers, where trained instructors guide students through engaging, structured lessons. Little did Younis know his future involved multi-unit ownership in franchising.
After meeting Mathnasium co-founder Larry Martinek at a Mathnasium Discovery Day, Younis said he immediately embraced the organization’s vision and approach to math tutoring, which included creativity and play. Using the Mathnasium Method™, tutors assess each student’s strengths and gaps in understanding to create a customized learning plan. Mathnasium serves students from elementary through high school They focus on building confidence, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of math concepts rather than rote memorization.
“I started reading reviews online, and there was a lot of buzz about the element of fun and playfulness and the kids actually enjoying it,” Younis said. “What turned me on to Mathnasium was that I could see from the little tutoring that I had done in the past that kids were struggling in math. Plus, parents would always want this kind of help.”
The Path to Multi-Unit Ownership in Franchising
In 2011, Younis opened his first Mathnasium center in Los Angeles in January 2012. The ramp-up wasn’t easy, he said. Yet since he already knew the community, Younis tapped into his relationship-building skills to network and talk about the Mathnasium model to local families. The business grew, but Younis eventually sold the center two years after his family moved to Georgia to be closer to relatives and to support his wife’s new counseling career. Immediately after closing his Los Angeles center, Younis opened a Mathnasium in Decatur, Georgia, which he still owns and operates. In 2016, he opened a second center in Dunwoody, and in 2019, he opened Mathnasium of Morningside. In 2023, Younis sold the Dunwoody location to simplify business operations following the pandemic—but will soon launch another center in Grant Park.
“I didn’t see this coming, but the opportunity to expand again opened up. I’m going to be opening a third location in the Grant Park neighborhood, which is south of Morningside and west of Decatur. The three territories sort of fit together like pieces in a puzzle,” he said. “I don’t necessarily want to have an empire of 20 centers, but I want to have two to three centers (that supports) a lifestyle that would work for me.”
Reflecting on His Formula for Success
Becoming a multi-unit franchisee means hiring the right people to take on leadership roles. Additionally, owners should follow the Mathnasium business model, Younis said. Once centers ramp up, most owners hire center directors or assistant directors. They manage day-to-day operations and part-time tutors to work one-on-one with students. Now, Younis spends most of his time building relationships in the communities he serves and refining his business model.
“If you entrust your business to the wrong person or you didn’t train them properly or some combination of those things, things can also fall apart,” he said. “So you have to have really solid processes for all. Everything you do gets put to the test because you can run one center and just kill it. But if you’re the only one who knows the secret sauce, which doesn’t work when you start going multi-center.”
Being a part of a franchise system means the corporate office provides the systems and processes center owners can draw upon as they develop their businesses. Mathnasium not only develops curricula and assessments to guide tutors, but also gives owners a tried-and-tested business model and national marketing support. However, to be successful, center owners must truly understand what matters most to the families in their communities, Younis said.
“Every territory is going to have differences, but Mathnasium offers a multi-pronged approach. They tell you all of the things that you absolutely must be doing and some things you ought to think about doing. They give you that toolbox so that when you start, you’re not going to feel completely overwhelmed,” he said.
Younis’ Advice for Prospective Franchisees (Especially if seeking multi-unit ownership in franchising)
- Develop a strong team—one owner can’t handle all aspects of the business alone. Having the ability to inspire and motivate your team is critical. You rely on your staff to deliver Mathnasium tutoring services effectively.
- Connect with parents, students, and schools to build trust. An owner’s success hinges on building relationships.
- Leverage corporate resources for areas outside your expertise. If you have teaching experience but less business experience, take advantage of Mathnasium’s corporate training and support. The corporate office also offers a vetted list of vendors, digital marketing strategies, and continuous curriculum refinements to ensure alignment with changing education standards.
“You don’t necessarily have to have your feet within the walls of the center for it to run effectively if you set everything right,” he said. “I love that flexibility. There’s also a greater possibility for profitability and building wealth with more than one center, which increases by the multiplier of how many centers you have.” Read Denise Caballero’s success story to learn even more about owning more than one Mathnasium.
Does Mathnasium Factor Into Your Career Equation?
Mathnasium ownership isn’t reserved for former teachers or mathematicians. Individuals who like to work with children and follow systems will see their efforts pay off. The average gross receipts for all Mathnasium centers open 12 months or longer were $344,816 for the calendar year of 2023, up from $304,252 in 2022.
While you don’t need a business background to invest in Mathnasium, center owners do need to have a passion for learning and a desire to engage with families in their communities. Mathnasium offers unique benefits to center owners.
- Protected territories and access to Mathnasium’s proprietary assessments, curriculum, and methodology.
- Mathnasium’s unique online and onsite training, including a final three-day in-person training in Los Angeles, where you’ll apply what you’ve learned in previous training.
- A field support specialist that helps you launch your business. Once your business is operational, a franchise business consultant serves as your private business coach, helping you grow strategically.
Investment Requirements for Mathnasium
If you choose to invest in a Mathnasium center, you must meet specific financial requirements. Most notably, a minimum net cash of $112,000 and a net worth of $149,110.
Here are some additional investment requirements:
- Initial Franchise Fee: $49,000 (Teachers receive 25% off the initial franchise fee.)
- Total Startup Investment: $112,936 to $149,616
- Royalty: 10% of gross monthly receipts
- Monthly marketing fees: 2% of gross receipts plus $250/month
- Digital and local marketing fee: $1,000 minimum per month
Not only are Mathnasium owners making money, but they’re also enjoying running their businesses and the support they receive from the corporate office. According to a 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
Most recently, in 2025, Mathnasium received a Top Franchises Satisfaction Award. The company was also recognized on Franchise Business Review’s Top Education Franchises, Rock Star Franchise Owners, Top 200, and Recession-Proof Franchises lists.
For more information about franchising with Mathnasium, call 888-763-2604 or visit http://mathnasiumfranchise.com.
