Child care is an essential service for busy working families, making it a great investment opportunity with strong growth potential. The child care industry is booming and is on track to grow significantly, soaring from $61.7 billion to more than $91 billion by 2030. Several child care opportunities exist, including The Goddard School and Lightbridge Academy.
Interested in buying a Goddard franchise? Learn how it compares to Lightbridge Academy so you can choose the best opportunity for you.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Goddard Franchise Cost | Lightbridge Academy Cost | |
| Franchise Fee | $135,000 | $40,000 |
| Initial Investment | $902,500 to $8,514,000 | $1,067,233 to $4,885,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $750,000* | $750,000 |
| Liquid Capital Requirement | $250,000 – $275,000** | $250,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 7% | 7% |
| Ad/Brand Development Fee | 4% | 3% |
| Average Gross Revenue | $2.3 million for schools open 18+ months*** | $2.7 million for centers open 24+ months*** |
* According to Franchise Business Review
** According to Goddard Franchise’s website
*** According to their latest FDDs.
Behind the Goddard Franchise
The Goddard Franchise has established itself as a reputable name in early childhood education, with a curriculum centered on play in a nurturing environment. Since its founding in 1983, the franchise has grown to over 600 locations in 38 states. The brand has strong awareness and is often sold out of franchise opportunities in prime markets.
The Goddard franchise cost is significant, often higher than many other child care franchises. The Goddard School franchise system is very mature and can also be more rigid in operational structures.
The Goddard School franchise provides 10 to 15 days of virtual and in-person training on marketing, operations, management, and education methods. Franchise owners are also advised by a real estate manager who helps them through the real estate process.
The Lightbridge Academy Franchise Opportunity
Lightbridge Academy is more than just a daycare and goes beyond traditional offerings typically found in the child care industry. Our brand stands out for our innovative approach to early childhood education, integrating technology and educational advancements to enhance the customer experience, learning environment, and operational efficiency. Lightbridge Academy’s Circle of Care philosophy ensures that the needs of children, families, staff, community, and franchisees are equally prioritized. This comprehensive approach offers a community-centric business model.
Founded in 1997, we use our 25 years of experience to help our franchisees achieve success in the child care industry. Prime markets have been opened creating opportunities in the child care space where many franchises, like Goddard, have already sold out. With a franchise fee and total initial investment cost lower than Goddard’s, we provide a premier offering for entrepreneurs to grow and expand beyond one location.
Franchise investors looking to make a difference in their community have invested in Lightbridge Academy. Our innovative use of technology helps create a healthy and safe learning environment while also deepening parent connections and streamlining child care operations. Known as The Solution for Working Families® our world-class service creates the customer loyalty that is necessary for retention and long-term success.
You’re never alone as a franchisee in the Lightbridge Academy family. Each franchisee has a dedicated business coach who guides you through every step of the franchising process, from construction to grand opening and throughout each stage of ramping and maturing your business. Before opening your center, you’ll receive three weeks of virtual and in-person training on everything from your roles and responsibilities as an owner to financing, operations, marketing, and curriculum planning.
“We have a good reputation because we were guided and trained on how to execute the education aspect of children in our care,” said Raj and Veenu Parkash, Lightbridge Academy multi-unit franchise owners in New Jersey. “When you’re not from this field, you need to know and understand. So, the training department helps us understand the business’s education aspect.”
Inspired by the idea of joining an education franchise that has a long-standing culture of caring deeply about the success of its franchisees and is forward-thinking in its approach to early childhood education? Lightbridge Academy offers an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a community as committed to your growth as it is to the families it serves.
To learn more about the Lightbridge Academy franchise opportunity, contact us.
