Kiddie Academy vs Idea Lab Kids Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Kiddie Academy vs Idea Lab Kids including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Kiddie Academy Franchise
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
Investment $345,000 - $5,605,000$60,200 - $281,000
Franchise Fee $135,000$35,500
Royalty Fee 7%11%-9%
Advertising Fee 2%1%
Year Founded 19811990
Year Franchised 19922016
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Kiddie Academy Franchise
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
Experience People and management skillsSkills and abilities that we look for in a successful Idea Lab Kids® business owner. Are you genuinely interested in S.T.E.A.M? Do you understand the role S.T.E.A.M plays in today’s economy and society? Are you active in your community and hungry to make a positive impact in young minds? Are you self-directed, self-motivated and able to juggle through multiple priorities? Do you have a strong desire to learn, grow and have fun in the process?

Financing Options

 
Kiddie Academy Franchise
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support

 
Kiddie Academy Franchise
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
Training Classroom Training: 80 hours Additional Training: Online training On-The-Job Training: 50 hours Classroom Training: 30 hours
Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad slicks, Regional advertising, Website, Web AdvertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations 15% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20

Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Our franchisee business partners will have the option of taking an active role in the business as the full-time General Manager or choose to hire a full-time Program Coordinator and serve as a consultant. Physical location is not required until 12-18 months in order to allow sufficient ramp up.

Expansion Plans

 
Kiddie Academy Franchise
Idea Lab Kids Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion NoYes

Company Overviews

About Kiddie Academy

It began in 1981 with an idea and a commitment. The idea was how to best combine learning with child care; the commitment was to do it better than anyone else. As you learn more about Kiddie Academy, you will realize we have a lesson plan that works! Reward your family with The Kiddie Academy Difference. When it comes to child care there's Kiddie Academy and then there's everyone else.

The total investment necessary to begin the operation of a Kiddie Academy® Franchise is $345,000 - $1,035,000 for a leased Kiddie Academy franchised location, and $3,254,500 - $5,605,000 for a purchased Kiddie Academy franchised location. This includes $135,000 in Initial Fees that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
Veteran Incentives  $25,000 off franchise fee

"Top
#10 in Gator's Top franchises.    
"Ranked         "Entrepreneur
#108 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#129 in Franchise 500 for 2021.










About Idea Lab Kids

Idea Lab Kids is an enrichment center dedicated to providing the most innovative S.T.E.A.M education in the form of afterschool camps, classes and birthday parties.
Our unique business model allows for two revenue generating sources:
Onsite- Mobile camps and classes
Offsite- Physical Facility offering in house afterschool camps and weekend birthday parties
Note- Physical location is not required until 12-18 months in order to allow sufficient ramp up.

Idea Lab Kids engages K-8 students in supplemental Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.A.M) education - giving them real academic advantage in school in addition to the skills and motivation they need to prepare them for 21st century jobs.

IDEA Lab Kids is a unique kids franchise opportunity that allows our franchisee business partners to build a financially viable business by providing multiple revenue streams. We are seeking to partner with driven professionals and investors who have a passion for building a profitable business while also making a positive impact in their community by providing S.T.E.A.M Education.

A background in childcare or education and a passion to educate kids is desirable to succeed as an IDEA Lab Kids franchisee.  In the children's franchise industry, franchise owners today come from diverse backgrounds and have a common goal of making a difference in early childhood education and achieving financial success.
 
 Our franchisee business partners will have the option of taking an active role in the business as the full-time General Manager or choose to hire a full-time Program Coordinator and serve as a consultant.
Veteran Incentives  5% off franchise fee
#316 in Franchise 500 for 2021.   Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.