MakerKids vs Lightbridge Academy Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
MakerKids Franchise
Lightbridge Academy Franchise
Investment $152,750 - $399,000$549,228 - $5,054,735
Franchise Fee $30,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 8%7%
Advertising Fee 3%2%
Year Founded 20131997
Year Franchised 20182011
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
MakerKids Franchise
Lightbridge Academy Franchise
Experience - Passion for working with kids - Thirst for knowledge - Glass half full mindset (60% optimist, 40% realist) - An Excellent Credit History - Leadership Skills - A Desire to Succeed - A Desire to Make A Difference - No past bankruptcies - No past criminal record - Willing to get out there and make sales - Persistence - Desire to listen, share and be compliant - Being happy is more important to you than being right - Customer-oriented Wait, I don’t know how to teach STEM! - Don’t worry. If you don’t have a teaching background, you can still excel as a MakerKids franchisee. In fact, the backgrounds of our ideal franchisees vary greatly – from engineers and accountants to teachers and homemakers, and everything in between. MakerKids franchise training was designed to level the playing field. We teach you all that you need to know about running a business that deals with STEM instruction.-

Financing Options

 
MakerKids Franchise
Lightbridge Academy Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/Yes
Start-up Costs -/--/Yes
Equipment -/--/Yes
Inventory -/--/Yes
Receivables -/--/Yes
Payroll -/--/Yes

Training & Support

 
MakerKids Franchise
Lightbridge Academy Franchise
Training - Five (5) days Training in Toronto, Canada - Five (5) days On-Site Training - Education/Curriculum: MakerKids® Lesson Plans Options for additional training*: - Internal Training with support and guidance from MK Training Team via Teleconferences, GoTo Meeting and Webinars - Additional Training available at MK HQ in Toronto, Canada - Additional On-Site Training available *Please inquire about additional training.On-The-Job Training: 28 hours Classroom Training: 128 hours Additional Training: Ongoing
Support - Advertising and Marketing: Initial supply of Presentation materials and Templates. - Usage of proprietary Operations Manual - Use of MakerKids® Name, Logo and Trademarks - Annual training and workshop - MakerKids new releases and new conceptsPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing - Use of MakerKids® Name, Logo and Trademarks - Presentation Material & TemplatesCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations -Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 32


Expansion Plans

 
MakerKids Franchise
Lightbridge Academy Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion Yes-
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About MakerKids

MakerKids runs award-winning STEM programs on Coding, Robotics and Minecraft. We use technology as a medium to help build confidence, social skills, change-making abilities and a positive relationship with technology. Kids have started businesses, won prizes from NASA, been published in magazines, and had positive mental health outcomes. MakerKids was named the #1 franchise concept in the NextGen in Franchising Competition at the International Franchise Association Conference from over 400 entrants.
 To describe the franchise in one word: transformative 
- Target Market: Ages 6-13, including Special Needs students 
- Location-based + mobile business/satellite locations: owner to operate multiple satellite locations e.g. at schools 
- Camps, After-School Programs and Parties 
- MakerKids® teaches STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) topics: Coding, Robotics and Minecraft 
- Education/Curriculum: Proprietary Lesson Plans 
- Advertising/Marketing: Presentation Material & Templates 
- Online Parent Registration

We have been featured by Forbes, Wired, and more. Your dream career awaits. Help empower the makers of tomorrow. Inquire today.


About Lightbridge Academy

If you're looking to make a difference in the world, in your town and in our future, Lightbridge Academy provides a way to do it, while owning a great business. Tap into this growing, $40 billion industry with a company that will be with you from the moment you become a franchisee - from real estate selection through opening your center and beyond.
Lightbridge Academy franchises offers programs for children from six weeks to six years old, including after-school enrichment and summer programs.
Each school is a licensed childcare, with staff trained in early childhood education or childhood development.

Veteran Incentives   10% off franchise fee
"Entrepreneur
#234 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#143 in Franchise 500 for 2021.