Lightbridge Academy
Lightbridge Academy franchises operate childcare centers offering early learning programs for infants (6 weeks and up), toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten-aged children, including summer camps, before/after care, and backup care for school-aged children. Franchisees use the proprietary Lightbridge Academy System, which encompasses design, operations, training, and merchandising standards, typically in 8,000-11,600 sq ft facilities accommodating 140-200 children. The business targets parents seeking structured, high-quality early education and childcare services in a competitive market.
Franchise Costs
7% royalty (4% first 6 months) + 2% brand development fund (up to 3%) + $500/mo fixed fees (technology, tablet service, phone)
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 46 franchised Mature Centers operational a minimum of 24 months and 3 franchised Developing Centers operational between 12-23 months, as of December 31, 2023.
* Weighted average gross revenue calculated using 46 Mature Franchised Centers (average $2,393,879) and 3 Developing Franchised Centers (average $1,885,711): (46 * 2,393,879 + 3 * 1,885,711) / 49 = $2,362,766.67. Weighted average EBITDA calculated using 46 Mature Franchised Centers (average $352,684) and 3 Developing Franchised Centers (average $157,656): (46 * 352,684 + 3 * 157,656) / 49 = $340,743.51. EBITDA margin calculated as weighted average EBITDA / weighted average gross revenue. Median gross revenue is taken from the Mature Franchised Centers ($2,540,335) as it represents the largest group. Best guess profit range (low) is estimated by multiplying the overall minimum observed gross revenue ($1,282,212 from Mature Centers) by the lowest average adjusted EBITDA margin (9.9% from Developing Centers). Best guess profit range (high) is estimated by multiplying the overall maximum observed gross revenue ($3,596,457 from Mature Centers) by the highest average adjusted EBITDA margin (17.1% from Mature Centers).
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Lightbridge Academy Compares
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 88% of Early Childhood Education franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Early Childhood Education
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Early Childhood Education
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lightbridge Academy Current | $1.1M – $3.1M | $40K | 7.0% | 55 |
| THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE ACADEMY OF EARLY EDUCATION | $781K – $1.5M | $60K | 7.0% | 411 |
| KIDDIE ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL CHILD CARE | $405K – $915K | $150K | 7.0% | 344 |
| Jovie | $124K – $193K | $50K | 5.0% | 165 |
| CHILDRENS LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOLS | $1.1M – $1.5M | $85K | 7.0% | 69 |
| Ivybrook Academy | $541K – $870K | $50K | 7.0% | 40 |
Early Childhood Education Average 17 franchises | $868K – $2.3M | $76K | 6.6% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 17 Early Childhood Education franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Lightbridge Academy franchisees (2018 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
138 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
| Name | SBA Loan |
|---|---|
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
138 Contacts Available
Unlock all Lightbridge Academy franchisee contacts with verified contact information
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a Lightbridge Academy franchise ranges from $1,067,233 to $3,120,400. This includes a franchise fee of $40,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 7.0% of gross sales.
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