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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Childrens Lighthouse vs KidsPark Childcare including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $440,600 - $630,000 | $293,250 - $516,500 |
Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $30,000 |
Royalty Fee | 7% | 5% |
Advertising Fee | - | $250 a month |
Year Founded | 1997 | 1988 |
Year Franchised | 1999 | 2005 |
Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | We seek franchisees with demonstrated marketing and management skills, and good communication. Childcare experience is not required. Ideal candidates locate their protected territory in urban areas and are committed to moving forward within 90 days from point of contact. |
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Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/No | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/Yes |
Equipment | No/Yes | -/- |
Inventory | No/Yes | -/- |
Receivables | No/Yes | -/- |
Payroll | No/Yes | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | 4 weeks: 2 weeks of training at the Children's Lighthouse home office, one week of in-school training with seasoned Children's Lighthouse franchise owners and one week of post-opening training in your school. | Pre-opening - we provide detailed Play-by-Play center creation training and support, 1-week hands-on center management and program implementation for you and your Director, and 2-days on-site training. On-going, we provide bi-monthly group webinars, bi-monthly individual check-ins, annual on-site training and an annual Franchise Forum for all owners and directors. All our manuals and resources are available from our on-line library. On-The-Job Training: 30 hours Classroom Training: 30 hours Additional Training: Via webinar, by phone |
Support | Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app |
Operations |
Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | Number of Employees Required to Run: 10 - 15 |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | Yes | - |
Childrens Lighthouse is currently offering franchises in all 50 states. We are totally committed to the support and service of our franchises. We've worked hard to develop quality management support systems to help you become successful in your new business. Targeted crew and management training programs, proven local neighborhood marketing tactics, aggressive advertising programs, labor and inventory control aids, equipment and supplies innovations are all examples of Childrens Lighthouse support tools. When you become a Childrens Lighthouse franchisee, you benefit from our many years of business experience. Although we are growing rapidly, we are not so big that you can't join us. Unlike some franchises, there is plenty of development territory still available. We are aggressively seeking new franchisees to expand existing markets as well as develop new ones. Opportunities range from single-unit franchises to multi-unit territories. And, we offer a variety of investment options for you to choose from. With Childrens Lighthouse, you can be in business quickly and at an investment level that best fits your particular situation and initial goals. Our program is designed to guide you from the moment you make the decision to purchase a franchise. In addition to counseling you in necessary financial matters, the most important step is selecting an appropriate site to build your childcare center and gaining exclusivity to that territory. The right location is critical to the success of your center and we have been successful in determining appropriate sites.
We envision KidsPark centers in cities across the United States. If you are looking for an entrepreneurial opportunity to contribute a needed service to your community and are considering an overall investment between $166,000 and $340,000, take a close look at KidsPark. As a KidsPark owner, you will share a reputation for quality, a proven method of operation and an innovative program. Learn about our opportunity by reading our virtual brochure.