You don’t need a background in education to own a Lightbridge Academy. But you should have a heart for helping children learn and grow, and a desire to support their families.
Our ideal candidate also has:
How much does a Lightbridge Academy franchise cost?
Investment overview
Ready to achieve your business ownership dreams? Our franchise model is designed to set you up for success and future growth. Prospective franchise owners should begin by reviewing the cost to open a franchise and see if this opportunity is the right fit.
Financial requirements
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$250K
liquid assets
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$750K
net worth
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$50K
initial franchise fee
Leased center
Initial investment range: $834,868 – $2,609,735
Leasing your center requires a lower up-front investment but monthly rent payments. Initial costs include a lease deposit and buildout costs. Your landlord may be able to offset buildout costs under a tenant improvement allowance. You will also incur professional fees (legal, etc.) as well as permit and licensing fees.
Additional expenses include operational needs like furniture and equipment, curriculum materials, computer systems, security systems, and other miscellaneous expenses.
After opening, you will have ongoing expenses such as payroll and rent.
The base investment range is $834,868 to $1,409,735. Tenant leasehold improvements may range from $0 to $1,200,000 (the high end of the estimated initial investment).
Note 14: At times, landlords may require you, as the tenant, to fund all construction and improvements at the leased premises without any contribution from the landlord. The low-end estimate assumes no tenant-funded improvements are required, while the high-end estimate reflects the potential cost if this situation occurs. The high-end estimate is based on the average costs experienced by centers developed in 2024 and 2025 where franchisees reported this information. Because leasehold improvement costs are negotiated directly between franchisees and their landlords, this information is not received from every franchisee and actual costs may vary.
Purchased center
Initial investment range: $5,801,350 – $8,122,575
Purchasing your center requires a higher up-front investment, but it also allows you to own the land your center is built on. Initial costs include real estate acquisition, construction, and loan fees. You will also incur professional fees (legal, etc.) as well as permit and licensing fees.
Additional expenses include operational needs like furniture and equipment, curriculum materials, computer systems, security systems, and other miscellaneous expenses.
After opening, you will have ongoing monthly expenses such as payroll and property taxes.
Royalty fees
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4%
of gross revenues during the first six months of operation,
7% of gross revenues after
Franchisee financing options
Lightbridge Academy will connect you with trusted lenders who know our model and believe in what we do. Our partners included trusted financial institutuions like Wells Fargo, Provident Bank, Columbia Bank, Celtic Bank, and Live Oak Bank.
We’ve also partnered with Benetrends to help franchisees jumpstart their business success through customizable funding options. Through Benetrends, franchisees have access to:
- 401(k)/IRA rollover funding
- Tax advantaged initial capitalization strategies
- SBA loans
- Securities-backed loans
- Equipment leasing
Contact our team for more information about how we can help you cover the franchise price and associated costs.
Who makes a good franchisee?
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Business management experience
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A strong business acumen
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The ability to lead and manage teams effectively
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A passion for delivering high-quality customer service
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Belief in our core values and philosophy
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A commitment to following our franchise business model and system
