Childrens Lighthouse vs LeafSpring School Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Childrens Lighthouse vs LeafSpring School including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Childrens Lighthouse Franchise	LeafSpring School Franchise
Investment	$440,600 - $630,000	$3,546,150 - $6,473,700
Franchise Fee	$50,000	$87,500
Royalty Fee	7%	6%
Advertising Fee	-	-
Year Founded	1997	1988
Year Franchised	1999	2018
Term Of Agreement	15 years	-
Term Of Agreement	15 years	-
Renewal Fee	-	-
Business Experience Requirements
	Childrens Lighthouse Franchise	LeafSpring School Franchise
Experience	Industry experience General business experience Marketing skills (qualifications important but not required)	-
Financing Options
	Childrens Lighthouse Franchise	LeafSpring School Franchise
	In-House/3rd Party	In-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees	No/No	-/Yes
Start-up Costs	No/Yes	-/Yes
Equipment	No/Yes	-/Yes
Inventory	No/Yes	-/Yes
Receivables	No/Yes	-/-
Payroll	No/Yes	-/-
Training & Support
	Childrens Lighthouse Franchise	LeafSpring School Franchise
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.	On-The-Job Training: 20 hours Classroom Training: 60 hours
Support	Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives	Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing	Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising	Ad Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
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: 65
Expansion Plans
	Childrens Lighthouse Franchise	LeafSpring School Franchise
US Expansion	-	Yes
Canada Expansion	No	-
International Expansion	Yes	Yes

Company Overviews

About Childrens Lighthouse

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.

About LeafSpring School

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

A lot, it turns out. Especially when a company has spent decades building trust, creating value, and forging meaningful relationships in the community it serves. And yet, our name was chosen back in 1989, when Rainbow Station was nothing more than a seed of potential. A possibility. Now, many years and many schools later, Rainbow Station’s strong foundation has supported the growth and expansion of our Richmond, Virginia company into an international leadership preschool, with facilities located across the U.S. and overseas.

WHY THE NAME CHANGE?

As we’ve expanded, countless schools in the early childhood education industry have begun using the name “Rainbow.” Our mission, our values and our curriculum have set us apart from these other schools for decades, but the name Rainbow Station is not the differentiator it once was. As attached as we are to our name, it was time to change. In January 2018, Rainbow Station began changing its name to LeafSpring School

WHY LEAFSPRING?

In a nod to the train imagery that was the foundation for our brand, a leaf spring helps stabilize a train’s engine as it moves along the tracks. It is our mission to ensure that our schools continue to be that same stabilizing force in the life of every child that walks through our doors. Our new LeafSpring School logo was designed to embody the enthusiasm, energy, and creativity that makes our schools unique.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

At LeafSpring School, we recognize the importance of giving our students roots, while at the same time providing them with the springboard they need to reach their own individual potential in the world. Thank you, as always, for trusting us with your most precious gifts. We are so excited to see what grows from here. Come join us and ride the train to success.

Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee