How much does it cost to open a Lightbridge Academy franchise?

The total initial investment for a Lightbridge Academy franchise ranges from $1,067,233 to $3,120,400. This includes the franchise fee of $40,000, buildout costs, equipment, and initial working capital.

What are the ongoing fees for a Lightbridge Academy franchise?

Lightbridge Academy franchisees pay a 7.0% royalty fee and a 2.0% advertising/marketing fund contribution. These are typically calculated as a percentage of gross revenue.

How much money can you make with a Lightbridge Academy franchise?

Based on Item 19 financial performance data, the median Lightbridge Academy franchise generates $2,276,273 in annual revenue. Estimated owner profit is approximately $25,039.

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Childcare

Lightbridge Academy Franchise Cost Breakdown

Complete investment analysis based on official FDD data

Total Investment

$1,067,233 – $3,120,400

Franchise Fee

$40,000

Royalty Rate

7.0%

Initial Investment Range

Low: $1,067,233 High: $3,120,400

The total initial investment to open a Lightbridge Academy franchise ranges from $1,067,233 to $3,120,400, as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the one-time franchise fee of $40,000.

Midpoint estimate: $2,093,816

Franchise Fee

$40,000

One-time initial fee

The Lightbridge Academy franchise fee is a one-time upfront payment made to the franchisor when you sign the franchise agreement. This fee grants you the right to operate under the Lightbridge Academy brand and is included in the total initial investment range above.

Ongoing Fees

Royalty Fee

7.0%

of gross revenue

Ad/Marketing Fund

2.0%

of gross revenue

Total Ongoing Fee Burden: 9.0% of gross revenue

Combined royalty and advertising fund contributions before any other fees.

Other Ongoing Fees

Fee Type	Rate	Type	Notes
Royalty Fee	7.0	PCT	Reduced to 4% of Gross Revenues during the first six (6) months your Center is open for business. Payable on the 5th day of each month. Excludes sales tax, customer refunds/adjustments, and revenue donated to Lightbridge Foundation.
Brand Development Fund	2.0	PCT	Up to 3% of Gross Revenues. Currently 2% of Gross Revenues. Due at the same time and in the same manner as Royalty Fee.
Advertising Cooperative	2.0	PCT	As determined by the cooperative, up to 2% of Gross Revenues. As cooperative directs. See Note 5.
Minimum Local Advertising Expenditure	6000.0	FIXED	Minimum of $6,000 per quarter on local advertising initiatives approved by franchisor. Amounts contributed to Advertising Cooperative credited to this requirement. See Note 6.
Special Promotional Programs	N/A	VARIABLE	Cost of special promotional campaigns or open houses. Amount spent credited toward quarterly Minimum Local Advertising Expenditure. See Note 6.
Technology Fee	400.0	FIXED	Currently $400 per month. Covers maintenance and updates for website, proprietary software, tablets, and other technology. Paid to us or approved supplier(s). May be increased annually. See Note 11.
Transfer	25.0	PCT	25% of then-current initial franchise fee; however if franchisor (a) introduces the transferee or (b) if the transferee is an existing center employee, 10% of the sales price. Prior to transfer. See Item 17.
Transfer of Multi-Unit Operating Agreement	5000.0	FIXED	$5,000; however if franchisor (a) introduces the transferee or (b) if the transferee is an existing center employee, 10% of the sales price. See Item 17.
Renewal	10.0	PCT	10% of then current initial franchise fee. Due at the time of execution of franchise agreement for renewal term. Only if franchisee executes a franchise agreement for renewal term.
Audit	N/A	VARIABLE	Our audit costs upon completion of inspection/audit. Franchisee must pay if understated Gross Revenues by 2% or more, or failed to submit complete reports for any 2 reporting periods within 12 months. See Note 7.
Collection Costs, Attorneys' Fees and Interest	18.0	PCT	Interest on overdue amounts at the lesser of 18% interest per year or the highest lawful interest rate, plus costs of collection, attorneys' fees and court costs. See Note 8.
Initial Training	2000.0	FIXED	Currently $2,000 per person for persons beyond first 4 (or 2 if existing franchisee opening additional Center). Franchisee also pays personal expenses including transportation, lodging, meals and salaries. See Note 9.
On-site Training and Supplemental Training	500.0	FIXED	Currently $500 per person per day for refresher or supplemental training. Franchisee also pays personal expenses including transportation, lodging, meals and salaries for employees.
Indemnification	N/A	VARIABLE	Franchisee must defend, indemnify and hold franchisor harmless from all fines, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, obligations or actions. See Note 10.
Bank Charges and Administrative Costs	N/A	VARIABLE	Charged to cover bank charges and administration costs if EFT attempt unsuccessful, account closed, or payment returned unpaid.
New Product or New Supplier Approval	1500.0	FIXED	$1,500 payable to franchisor when incurred. For approval of new service, product or supplier under published procedures. See Item 8.
Non-Compliance Fee	1500.0	VARIABLE	Escalating structure: $1,500 (1st letter), $3,000 (2nd letter), $5,000 (3rd letter), $10,000 (notice of default). For non-compliance with System Standards. See Note 14.
De-Identify Premises	15.0	PCT	Costs plus 15% administrative fee if franchisee doesn't de-identify premises following expiration or termination of Franchise Agreement.
Insurance	15.0	PCT	Cost of insurance plus 15% administrative fee if franchisor obtains insurance on franchisee's behalf due to franchisee's failure. Paid to insurers. See Item 7.
Late Crisis Notification Fee	5000.0	FIXED	Currently $5,000 per occurrence plus $500 per day beginning on second day. Payable if franchisee fails to alert franchisor within 24 hours of potential crisis situation. See Note 12.
Center Management Fee	10.0	PCT	Currently 10% of Center's monthly Gross Revenues if franchisor must operate the Center. Franchisee also pays expenses and other fees such as royalties. Applies when Center is in jeopardy or franchisee is in default.
Relocation Fee	40000.0	FIXED	Currently $40,000 upon approval of relocation request. Not franchisor's exclusive remedy if franchisee fails to open new location.
Annual Franchisee Conference	350.0	FIXED	Currently $350.00 for attendance at Annual Franchisee Conference. Fee payable to franchisor.
Late Reporting Fee	12.0	PCT	12% of the last Royalty payment made for each month franchisee fails to submit required report. See Note 3.
Enroll 360	299.5	VARIABLE	Currently $250-$349 per month. Optional paid service for online lead nurturing and conversion. Includes scheduling tool, Chatbot, LiveChat, and dedicated Customer Care Specialist. Fee subject to adjustment.
Website Hosting	N/A	VARIABLE	Payable to franchisor or approved vendor if determined necessary to charge separate website hosting fee. Currently not charged.
Mobile Tablet Service and Support	90.0	FIXED	Currently $90 per month for unlimited number of tablets per center. Tablets must be purchased through approved vendors (Apple and Verizon). $50 one-time fee per tablet if purchased from unapproved vendor. See Note 13.
Advertised Telephone Number	10.0	FIXED	Currently $10 per month.

What You Get

Financial Performance (Item 19)

Median Revenue

$2,276,273

per year, per location

Mean Revenue

$1,915,012

per year, per location

Profitability Estimate

Estimated Owner Profit

$25,039

per year

Profit Margin

1.1%

of revenue

Estimation method: disclosed

Estimated ROI (Simple Payback): 83.6 years

Based on midpoint investment of $2,093,816 and estimated annual owner profit of $25,039.

Unit Growth & Failure Rate

Avg. Annual Closure Rate

0.3%

Low risk — below industry average

Net Unit Growth

+17 units

From 2021 to 2023

Unit Activity History

Year	Start	Opened	Closed	Transfers	End
2021	38	+8	—	—	46
2022	46	+4	—	—	50
2023	50	+6	-1	—	55

Is a Lightbridge Academy Franchise Worth It?

Based on the FDD data, here is a data-driven snapshot of the Lightbridge Academy franchise opportunity:

Overall Score

82/100

Strong opportunity

Est. Payback Period

83.6 yrs

Longer payback

Risk Level

Low

0.3% annual closure rate

Lightbridge Academy scores well across our evaluation criteria, indicating a strong franchise system. With median unit revenue of $2,276,273 and a combined fee burden of 9.0% of gross revenue, prospective franchisees should model their own financial projections carefully. For a complete analysis including risk factors, deal-breaker flags, and detailed financial modeling, see the full report.